The San Francisco call., 1896-04-29
The Good of Republicanism and
of California His Sole
Desire.
THE KELLY-MAHoNEY BACKER.
M. H. De Young Appears to Be the
Man, Because His Paper Is Assist.
ing the Fakirs.

Much has been said IN the newspapers
from time to time concerning the political
plans and purposes and the supposed
hopes and am mbitions of John D. Spreckels.
He himself has said but little upon the
subject beyond emphatically and un-
equivocally denying that he was candi-
date for high Office or that he had had
aspirations for political preferment in any
capacity.
Mr.. Spreckels was interviewed last night
as to his position in politics. He said:
''I desire first to be understood as being
for the Republican party and for no other
party. | believe in its principles, and |
am satisfied if they are honestly carried
into effect that great good would come to
the country and particularly to Cali
fornia.
at has been repeatedly announced that
l am in favor of Mr.. Allison of Iowa for
President and opposed to Mr.. Mckinley.
This is not true. However, in justice to
Mr.. Allison, l will say that l am not op-
posed TO him, and sincerely state that
am not opposed to Mr.. Mckinley, or any
of the other great leaders of the Repub.
lican party. [ might go along the list of
candidates and say as much, but as these
two gentlemen have been brought into
prominence on this coast L answer par
ticularly as to them.
''What l have asked. however, and shall
continue to plead for is that a delegation,
representing the leading Republicans of
California, be sent to ST. Louis with a COM
mission to vote for the most available Re-
publican candidate, having in view at all
times the great benefits which might and
should come to California. 1t cannot be
denied that California has heretofore frit-
tered away her political power in every
National Convention. 1t is not nv pur-
pose to defeat Mr.. Mckinley or Mr.. AL
Hson, but it is my purpose to help Califor-
MIA into commanding position in the
councils of the Republican party.
II ask the Republicans of California to
consider well their own interests; l ask
them to reflect we'll before they act, and
when ready to make a decision not TO
overlook their own interests. This view
of the matter should not be and cannot be
honestly Interpreted as being opposed
TO any man. l am pleased to
note that l have number of
the most distinguished members of the
Republican party of California fully agree
ing with me in this position. l am also of
the opinion that every merchant and
every farmer and fruit grower and laborer
in California will indorse my position if he
stops to consider my real purposes. l
affirm now, and have heretofore affirmed.
that my political purposes are not selfish,
but they are in broad sense to aid Cali
fornia and to bring to the front the deserv-
ing members of the party who could, and
would, fill high and exalted positions with
fidelity and distinguished ability. Any
other motive assigned 10 me is absolutely
false and unauthorized.
81 shall not ask the delegation, or if be
a member of it l will not exercise nv
privilege to vote against a man unless
firmly convinced that l am serving the
best interests of the party and the people
of my State. Therefore, any effort to place
me in the attitude OF antagonism to anv of
the distinguished leaders of the party is
unwarranted, and l call upon tie rank and
file of the Republican party of California
to note carefully what here say"
Mr.. Spreckels' attention was called to
rumors that persons in his interest had
been attempting to make a compromise
with Kelly and Mahoney regarding the
membership of the delegates from the
Fourth Congressional District. Mr.. Spreck-
els replied:
81 must say that / regret exceedingly to be
called upon to answer such foolish charges,
but for fear some of my friends might
misunderstood the situation, will an
swer your question. In the first place,
there is only one, and can be only one,
legitimate set of delegates from that dis
trict. If the facts leading up to the selec.
ton of delegates are well considered, there
will be no misapprehension as to my po-
sition. The State Central Committee met
and ordered that Congressional commit
tees of the various districts take general
charge of the election of delegates.
''The meeting of the committee was held
in the afternoon of February 90. On that
very evening Kelly and Mahoney held an
alleged meeting of the members of the
State Central Committee from the Fourth
District and undertook to select COM
mittee to supervise tie primaries. It has
been shown, and can be shown, that no