The San Francisco call., 1896-10-26
BRYAN'S FRIENDS
TO CLAIM $4,000
Estimate of a Hoped For
Majority in This
State.
Settled by the Democratic State
Campaign Commit.
tee.
BUT THE PEOPLE WILL DECIDE
Politicians Who Are to Find That
They Are Reckoning Without
Their Host.

A quiet and orderly meeting of the
Democratic State Committee was held at
the California Hotel on Saturday, at which
the most important business transac ted
was the levying and attempted collection
of $50 assessment on each member of
the committee.
After the financial matter was finally
disposed of by payment, or promise to pay,
the next thing to be considered was what
figure ought 10 be fixed on as the proper
claim for Bryan's prospective majority in
California, not rejecting on the1act that
the people have something to say about
the actual outcome and that their deci-
sion will surely overturn the committee s
best guesses.
1t was admitted on all hands that the
campaign ought not to be allowed to run
its allotted course without some claim
being made that Bryan will carry the
State, and it was also admitted that care
full judgment ought to be exercised in
setting the figure, so that it would be able
to withstand the assaults which the oppo-
sition would be sure to hurl against it.
John w. Mitchell, fresh from the orange
groves of Los Angeles, told with subdued
one of his neiGhbors from a Populist Nc
Kinleyite to Populist Bryanite. He also
reported that a lot of silver mugwump ps
have come out for Bryan as boldly as they
ever come out for anything or ANYBODY,
though they greatly deprecate offensive
partisanship a all times.
Being pressed for his estimate OF the
Bryan majority he thought that $4,000
would be ABOUT right.
caf
there was general assent to this sugges-
ton. Those who were willing 10 set the
figure at $4,000 majority were Chairman
W. II. Afford. Ii. Dusen berry of Livermore,
j. w. Corcoraa of San Rafael, John n.
Woods James Denman, Colonel w. p.
Sullivan, Gavan McNab and lsador Alex
ander.
Others Joined in this estimate with
more or less cheerfulness. The argument
was made that though this must be ad-
mitted to be a high number to fix on as a
majority in a State like California, vet it
would not be safe to put 1t at less, for
fear the statisticians on the other side
might get in their work and figure it out
of sight.
Therefore, when q man is heard claim
ing that California is safe for Bryan by at
least SO, 900 majority, by that token it may
be known that he has received his lnstruc-
tions from the Democratic State Cam
paign Committee. If he sticks to it he
may turn out to be a member of that
committee who has paid his assessment.
II. w. Patton of Los Angeles was given
great deal OF praise III resolution
which contained four whereases and COW
cred two pages of typoscript. 1t was set
forth that Mr.. Patton and c. A. Barlow
met in deadlock in the fusion Congress
sional convention, and that Mr.. Patton,
seeing that the deadlock could not be
broken and that he could not get the nonl-
ination under any circumstances, gener-
ously and patriotically withdrew in favor
of third person, who was nominated
amid great applause. Therefore, Mr.. Pat
ton is entitled TO the gratitude of the DEM
ocratic State Campaign Committee for
patriotism and fealty to party.
This weighty matter being disposed OF,
the members of the committee swapped
yarns about the campaign in their several
districts and finally adjourned, subject to
the call of the chairman.