The record-union., 1895-01-21
A POPULIST ON The SENATORSHIP.
How Thomas V. Gator Regards the
Situation.
lie Claims to Represent the Sentiments
of a Majority of the People
of the State.

fOHs 1nOliiaS W SdLOT, tQ6 W6ll-kNOWu
Populist orator and candidate for United
States Senator, came up from San
Francisco last night. AS he is per-
sonally interested in the contest for
United States Senator, RECORD
UNION reporter called on him just
as he was about to retire for the
night, and asked if he had any objection
to giving his views on the Senatorial
question for publication.
Mr.. Gator replied that ne had nothing
to conceal in that respect, and although
the hour was late and he was somewhat
fatigued, he would briefly review the Sit
uation. Requesting the reporter to be
seated. he said:
81 have been asked by several what in
terest / should take in the Senatorial con-
test, as my name will be presented for
the Senatorship. My position in the con-
test is this: The people of California in
1892 voted, by vote of 1877, 900 to 5000,
in favor of electing the U nited States SEN
ators by direct vote. 1 am the only
person that has been nominated by
convention for that office. The conven-
ton which nominated me in the Senate
Chamber in May last was composed of
over 300 delegates, representing every
county in the State. The only direct vote
the people could cast was for the MEM
bers OF the Legislature. The popular
vote was upon the Assem- blymen, who
ran in every district in the State.
1.-The total popular vote for members of
the Assembly was 267, l37, divided thus:
For Republican candidates, l4,226: for
Democratic candidates, 81, ,4l0; for Popu-
list candidates., 81, ,2S4; for Independent
candidates, 6,045; for Prohibition candi-
dates, 3, l72,
Now, it will be seen that the Populist
vote and Democratic vote for United
States Senator was, if united, 14l ,694, and
the Republican vote Ia, 266. Yet the Re-
publicans obtained in the Assembly, in
numbers, 62, the Populists l, Populist
and Independent l (Ewing), and Inde-
pendent l (Bledsoe).
But the real test is the vote of the peo-
pie. Now, if the Republicans should
caucus, and one-half OF their number
named the Senator, then members who
received only 5000 popular votes will
decide who shall be Senator. That is,
$4,000 votes will dictate to 267, l37.
''Of course" said Mr.. Gator, "the Re-
publicans have the legal right to elect the
Senator, if they agree upon Republican.
ain not here expecting the honor, but if
a deadlock occurs, or Tor other reasons
the Repub blican members cannot agree,
then it may be that compromise candi-
date may De ueSlTaDle.
''If the Democrats desire to take part in
the election. it is hardly to be presumed
that they will vote for Republican.
They have thirty votes, or members, for
whom the people cast S0,4l0 popular
votes, and these, ifjoined to the popular
vote for candidates pledged to me, make
l4l, ,694.'
Asked as to his opinion of the situa-
tion as between de Young aud Perkins,
Mr.. Gator said:
II believe Mr.. Perkins and Mr.
de Young have the battle between them,
as far as Republican is concerned. | do
not think any other Republican can be
successfully introduced into the contest.
1t looks to me as II 1t must be one of
these, or else a candidate upon whom
Democrats, Populists and part of the Re-
publicans can agree. Should such an
emergency arise then, If the Democrats
were willing to tender my name, they
Immediately present candidate who,
by the POpullst and Democratic vote
would represent 14l, ,694 popular votes.
To such a proposal Republicans, ii they
could not agree among themselves, could
assent and their constituents would,
think, be satisfied.
II spoke in every part of the State
during the campaign" continued Mr..
Gator, land was kindly received by all
parties. The principles l have favored
are Jeffersonian. My sentiments are
such as California now needs to have pre-
sented in Congress-free coinage of sill
yer, foreclosure of the Pacific railway
mortgages and their operation by the
Government, as we'll as ownership of all
railroads.
"Some may say that the State is not in
accord with me for the ownership OF all
railroads, but resolution favoring this
drawn by me, passed the Assembly of
1893 with, believe, only one dissenting
vote. 1t will be said that l fLvCr the
Farmers Alliance money plan. Wen,
Senator Leland Stanford did also, and
after he declared himself for it, and per-
sonally brought in bill to put it into
operation, hs offered himself for United
States Senator in California and was re-
elected by a very large majority.
1T may be said that he personally was
approved, but not his financial proposal.
But the same Republican Legislature of
1891 passed a joint resolution through
both houses, asking Congress to adopt
the financial plan of the Farmers Alli-
ance, and the record stands there to-day
with the votes of many of the Senators
and members now in the Legislature.
but my financial views cannot pre-
vail in the next two years unless we can
convert a Republican Congress and a
Democratic President to them. Upon
the questions that are possible of solu-
ton in that time | am in accord with the
sentiment of the entire people of the
State.
Some will quibble about the tariff,
but there can be no tariff legislation in
the next two years, unless both Republi-
cans and Cleveland will approve it. 1t is
true l place the finance question and
transportation first and consider them
now supreme"
Mr.. Gator concluded by saying that he
had come up to see how the Senatorial
struggle was getting along, and to be
present at the joint convention on Tues