The San Francisco call., 1896-03-08
A LETTER FROM TRAYN0R
The Supreme President of the
A. P. A. Congratulates
State Leaders.
RECORD OF THE ORGANIZATION
Will Not Put a Ticket in the Field
Unless Ignored by Both the
Old Parties.

The State Convention OF the American
Protective Association was brought to a
close yesterday. Shortly after the open
ing of the morning session President HUI
delson called the attention of the con-
vention to this paragraph in the Monitor: ::
We have been disposed to underestimate or
to overestimate the strength of the A. Z. a.
President Hudelson in his address claims a
membership of $4,000. OF course it is impos-
sible to verify this assertion or TO prove 1t
false. Hudelson himself does not know, and
from the nature OF the case cannot know; but
il would be very surprising to those who know
anything about the order ii he were out more
than &c, 900 in his calculations.
We may take it for granted, therefore, that
there are in this State 10000 men ut. least
who nave given themselves, body and soul,
into Hpdelson's hands. These 10000 men
represent 10000 votes, which he can fling
from one party to the other q unit. Prac-
tieaily such voting power would render
Hudelson dictator of California. If the A. p.
A. can keep its men together, and if there is
no general and systematic opposition TO the
candidates which 1t favors, II cannot fail to
control the next election.
The reading of the article brought every
memb ber of the council to his feet.
Nj. B. Cusick, president of Merced Coun-
Gil, moved that 10, 900 copies of the article
be published for free distribution among
the mem bers OF the order. j. w. Turner
OF Eureka moved for 10000. c. +. Nc
Giashan of Truckee moved to make it
$4,000. W. w. Coons of Sacramento added
10000 more, making it $4,000, one copy for
each memo Der of the order. This motion
prevailed and that number was prin ted
and sufficient copies to be forwarded to
each council for its mem bers.
The committee on legislation recon-
mended the preparation of bill to the
effect that all children between the ages
of and Is be compelled to attend public
school at least three months OF each year"
Adopted.
The committee on constitutional amend
ments recommended that subordinate
councils be permitted to fix the monthly
dues of its own members at any sum it
might see fit; also that a committee of
five be appointed by the chair to revise the
constitution and report ut the next annual
session; both of which were adopted.
The committee on the political standing
of the order, of which Governor Sheldon
of Pasadena was chairman, submitted the
following, which was adopted:
The action that shall be taken by the A. P.
AS this year for the National State or munich
pal campaign will have largea and controlling
influence on the result. Its power will depend
upon compactness OF organization ,Eunanimity
OF action and the intelligence and wisdom in
which 1t is divided composed, as ii is, of men
OF every previous party affi!iaton. 1t may be
difficult TO throw the masses of votes of this
association In favor OF any particular party, on
account of differences which exist on questions
other than those on which this order has pro-
nounced itself distinetively.
In the opinion of your committee the time
has not arrived TO attempt to organize sep
arate political party under the auspices of the
association. Under the circumstances the
question is, What course shall the members
pursue? Your committee unhesitatingly ex-
presses the opinion tn at they should regard as
paramount and controlling the principle
and demand of the order when in issue: In
such cases all other issues should be held as
secondary and subordinate, and in order tha.
our principles may become operative and
effective in public affairs by Congressional,
municipal and legislative bodies.
Therefore i! is of the first and highest inn
portance that only Legislators OF all classes
should be chosen, who are known to be un-
finching friends of our cause, and in order to
avoid possible mistakes it is best TO elect to
such positions, whenever practicable, men,
bers OF this order whose character afford ire
frassble proof of their sincerity and courage.
Whenever i'm practicable to eject such, we ad-
wise that the votes OF the members be thrown
for those on the outside of the order who can
be most safely relied upon to support our
measures
In regard TO the candidates for other than
legislative positions, we advise that the same
policy be pursued; and we further advise,
whenever necessary, sacrifices be made 10
secure the election of our friends TO legislative
positions.
Should neither of the existing political par
forms, and should all OF them nominate candi-
dates for President and vice-P-esident whose
characters sentiment or previous conduct
render them unworthy of the confidence OF
our order, it will, in the opinion of your CON-
mittee be the daty of the A. 2. A. to put in the
field ticket OF its own, and under the same or
similar circumstances we advise that the same
course be pursued III State, district or muniei
pal affairs.
This order must and shall be recognized for
what it is, power in the field OF politics, and
r,<sr1 3a tell fA III tn
htical party. Whenever it is SO made it will
cease to be servieeable to the cause OF pure pol
itics, good government and progressive Amer
ican civilization. As an order we must force
the issue between true Amerfcanism and &C.
clesiasticism in our political affairs.
1t must not be expected that we shall sail on
an unruff1ed sea. we snail encounter eddles,
breakers and storms. We shall be beset by
bosses, demagogues and tricksters. There will
be bland pretensions to the adherence OF our
principles by men who want to gain our votes
and at the same time keep on good terms with
our enemies. Such will betrey Us in the future
as they have in the past
The order will not deserve to succeed and
will not succeed unless it moves on the high
plane of good principles unless it puts its
foot on impure and irregular politics, assures
good government to the people, promotes
civilization and maintains popular rule, which
are the fundamental principles of our free IN
stitutions.
Just as the convention was about to
adjourn letter was read from Supreme
President Traynor. It's as follows:
B. r. Hudelson, State President American Pro
tectiue Association, San Francisco Cal.-DEAR
SIR: Next 10 being present at your honorable
and patriotic assembly, probable pleasure
that have dwelt much upon within the past
few months only to be compelled to forego at
the last moment-I know of no greats happi-
ness than this opportunity afforded me of
being present with you in spirit, and no more
perfect sense of satisfaction than my knowl-
edge of the absolute independence OF the or