The San Francisco call., 1895-11-24
COLONEL OTIS TALKS.
He Goes Deeply Into the Politics of II
EeDubIicGn PU3't1,

He Goes Deeply Into the Politics OF the
Republican Party.
LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 23.-The
Los Angeles Times has taken but little in
terest in securing the Republican National
Convention and as it is the leading Re
publican paper in Southern California,
and Colonel II. G. Otis. the editor, one OF
the staunchest supporters OF his party,
YOUR correspondent called on him to-day
to get his views as to the prospects of the
party and the reasons why he opposed the
convention going to San Francisco.
Colonel Otis, THE CALL would like your views
on the interesting subject of the next National
Republican Convention, the platform and the
candidates.
Il would like to see above sl other things a
truly representative body OF Republicans as
semble and act for the good of the people and
OF the whole country. would like to see a
solid convention adopt solid platform and
place upon it solid candidate, one who would,
by his nigh personality, his conspicuous abil-
ity, his thorough knowledge OF the need OF the
country and his stalwart Republicanism, fill
the bill and be elected by "a magnificent major
ity 1 believe all these results are possible,
and I, in common with thorough going Repub-
licans throughout the land, mean to work for
these so desirable ends"
s'What is your idea OF the PLATFORM"
Briefly stated, would have platform
strong for sound money, strong for protection
TO American industries, clear cut in favor OF
the restriction of foreign immigration; out
spoken for internal Improvements, the i'm
provement of our rivers and harDors, and the
building of the Nicaragua canal. would have
it especially strong in the enunciation OF the
American idea in our relations with foreign
countries, and the upholding OF the honor and
dignity of the American flag everywhere"
"What is your preference as to candidates p"
GAS you may already know, my first choice
always is Major Mckinley. There are other
strong men in the Republican ranks, however,
who are available"
4'Tbere is Reed. and Governor Merton o. New
York. Allison, Cullom and Robert I. Lincoln
AS to General Harrison, do not see how he
can well enter the field under the circum-
stances. He has been twice nominated, once
elected and once defeated, and his name is not
one to conjure with. He was nominated the
last time under circumstances highly objec-
tionab bic in a Republican convention. very
large number OF Federal ofice-holders, many
of them coming from States which never cast
Republican electoral vote, voted for him in
that convention and succeeded in turning the
tide to him against the best judgment OF the
great body of Republicans throughout the
country, in my opinion. ANY one OF the other
aspirants whom have named would be good
candidate and make a strong race; but none
of them, it seems to me, would be the
equal of Major Mckinley in all particulars
and be so popular candidate before
the people Mckinley is clean, able, expe-
rienced, and is the acknowledged foremost ex-
ponent OF the great Republican doctrine OF pro-
lection, upon which the decision viii ''go oil,
as the lawyers say. He is, moreover, a young
candidate, soldier and man OF magnetc
personal qualities. He has long been con-
spicuous and symmetrical figure In the afalrs
OF the Nation, and he would, in my opinion, be
the ideal candidate. Certainly. if nominated
he would sweep the country like whlrlwlnd,
and through him and Republican Congress
the Nation would be restored to the sway OF
Republican rule. / am his friend, because
had the honor to serve with him throughout
the war, and because / know his high worth
and unQuestioned merits, both as man ana
statesman. But my personal choice is q sec
ondary consideration in the case. My prefer
ence is based upon the larger considerations
that will enter into his candidacy. These con-
siderations are fitness, availability and the GER
tainty that he can be elected
what about your own purposes in the
coming Presidential campaign"
II will continue to edit the Los Angeles