davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19
omitted, all the voyage of their lives
is bound In shadows and in miserIes.


That tide has come: the tide of popular feel
ing against the encroachments, the oppres-
slons and the yillainies of the powers which
rule over US; that octopus, which, with brazen
assurance, now stands before Congress, asking
'na' us crimes be condoned and that it be
gwen TOT all time the property it has converted
from the Government
Let US all work together to beat the funding
oiil ana we may escape the shadows and the
inlSeFles OF half century to come.
Let one shout go up from all the throats of
the people On the Pacific Coast and grow in
volume TILL it will reverberate from the Pacific
w .he Atlantlc sAores-"Defeat the funding
ulll -lor It's passage means the enslavement,
the degradation, the downfall of our people
ana the triumph of all that is vile in human
life and affairs.
Inc men who now lord 1t over US have from
year 10 year grown in insolence and arrogance.
they nave SET at defiance our laws, they have
orlpeo judges, packed juries, and, through a
system OF bossisnl, corrupted and controlled
our electons and introduced system of es-
plonsg and punishment of opponents which has
wen n1gh made slaves and towards of our citi-
Zens.
Our noble constitution and laws have been
set aside. they have been supplanted by the
mandates OF the octopus, who IN secret con-
ciaVe slts as judge and jury and decides who
snail De rewarded and who shall be punished.
IL hoids out both arms in one hand sack of
money, In the other the assassin's dagger, and
cries out to-. the people, "Take your choice; If
you 40 our bidding we will reward, enrich you
ana give you office, honor and foremost place
IN society; II you oppose us, we will ruin you
financially, socially, and we will disgrace
YOU
American citizens, descendants of Revolu-
n0narv ,.+;1J = to
permit these low-minded villains to take from
you your birthright, your citizenship, your
nag, your legal rights? Will you become cow
ards and slaves and do the bidding of these
highwaymen?
That you will do if you permit this funding
bill to become a law. For fifty more years you
VIII be deprived of your rights as American
citizens. For fifty years you will be ground to
the dust. For fifty years the last cent you
possess Will be squeezed out of you, ana during
| all that time the farmer, the mechanic, the
laborer will be permitted TO barely exist, while
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19

your masters take from you the result of your
labors and productions.
Bribery and corruption carry the day; hon
esty and honor are at discount; we are
forced into acts of cowardice and slavery, be-
cause individuals are helpless and cannot re-
sist.
Let us make one united, supreme effort, and
pray Congress to turn deaf ear TO the false
pleas of our oppressors, who, through the aid
OF venal press, are trying to impress on Con-
gress that but few agitators are al the back OF
this movement, while matter of fact the
people, with the exception of q few hunk1es,
hlrelings and dependents of the octopus, are a
unit on this overwhelmingly important ques-
ton of the defeat of the funding of the Pacific
railroad debts.
Let resolutions go forth to Congress which
cannot be misunderstood. Let 1t be shown
that our liberties must not be destroyed by
handing us over body and soul to the octopus
for half century to come; that Congress has
no right to fasten on US monopoly which will
exclude all competing railroads from coming
to California
Our Government has three brsnches-the
legislative, the executive and the judicial.
Alter legislative action in favor OF these rail-
roads Congress has no right to interfere. 1t
belongs to the Executive Department to carry
into effect the law, and to the judiciary to de-
fine it.
1t is the Presidents duty to request the At
torney-General to commence foreclosure pro-
ceedings and hereunder let these roads be sold
to the highest bidder.
Again, l say, this is a momentous time in our
affairs, and If the unanimous voice of the peo-
pie is heard in thunder tones at Washington
right, honor and justice may yet prevail.
DR.. Cleveland then took the platform
and made ringing speech that was heart
lily applauded. He characterized the atti-
tude of Mr.. Huntington in asking that the
debt of the Pacific railroads be refunded
again, for the seventh time, as piece of
monumental impudence. But Congress
could no longer act in ignorance on the
question, he declared. Any man who
voted for the bill, or any President who
should sign it, would be a traitor to his
country and to the people, for he must do
1t with his eyes wide open.
In concluding his brief address he eulo-
glzed the chairman of the convention and
predicted the ultimate triumph of the inter-
ests of the whole people over those of a
railroad monopoly that had in years past
bribed Congressman and legislators and
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19
ON ADoLPH SUTRo

posed by Henry E. leighton that the call
be amended so as to permit delegation OF
not less than twenty five from each county
TO be present. This question was discussed
little, but before it was seriously consid-
cred, Taylor Rogers, the temporary secre-
tary, had examined the credentials and
represented on the floor of the convention.
Some of the delegates had made the dis
coyery at the same time, and the end OF
the prelim mary discussion was that the
convention resolved to get down at once
to business.
Mayor Sutro explained that the call was
in no sense for mass meeting, but for a
convention of delegates from the various
districts. Considering the nature of the
call it was found that the convention was
well attended. This fact was even the
better realized when several of the country
delegates announced that they had great
difficulty in reaching the City in time, and
that in some of their neighbor counties
there had not been sufficient time to permit
the selection of proper delegate.
Proceeding to the business of temporary
and then permanent organization, upon
motion of Mr.. Highton, Mayor Sutro was
unanimously chosen first temporary and
then perm anent chairman of the conven-
ton by rising vote, and in the same
order, upon the motion of Max Pepper,
Taylor Rogers was selected as the perma-
nent secretary.
Communications were then read from a
number of prominent men in ali parts of
the State who were unable to be present.
All of them expressed the utmost sympa-
thy with the anti-funding movement and
the best wishes for the success of the con-
ventiou.
Among the communications read was
the following telegram from w. r. Hearst,
dated New York, January II:
Railroad ordinations so strong in Wash
ington, 1t seems almost impossible to break
them; yet certainly it is the duty of all
having interest of the Pacific Coast at heart
to make the most strenuous efforts. l will
send Davenport from here, and the Journal
will use whatever power il has to assist.
W. R. HEARST.
Another communication. from Charles
M. Shortridge, was as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, JAN II, 1896.
Hon. Adolph Sntro, Citg-MY DEAR SIR: Your
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19
A BRoADsWORD CONTEST.
Sergeant Owen Davis and Ivan Malchin
Are Matched at Last.

Sergeant Owen Davis and Ivan Maichin
Are Matched at Last.
Ivan Malchin, a Russian swordsman
who is at present the fencing Instructor OF
the Young Mems Christian Association OF
this City, and Sergeant Owen Davis OF the
Preside signed the following agreement
last evening to meet in broadsword con-
test, at some date to be hereafter agreed
upon:
Articles of agreement entered into between
Owen Davis and Ivan Malch1n, at San Fran
cisco, Cal, this 18th day of January 1896.
Witnesseth: That said Davis and Malchtn agree
to fence contest with brOadswords, In the
City of San Francisco within two weeks from
date hereof, at any place hereinafter mutually
agreed upon. Said contest to consist OF two
tWenty-afne attacks on foot, the contestant
scoring the first fifteen points in each to be
declared the winner OF such bout, and the one
making the greatest number of points in all to
be declared the winner OF the contest for the
championship OF America and the stake OF
$1,000: Each contestant shall be allowed
second OF his own approval, with a mutual
referee to decide for both.
AS an evidence OF good faith the parties
hereto each agree to place deposit OF $3.50 in
the hands of DR.. H. Louis Dietz of 40 Erie
street, CITY, and the balance-S75O-to be de-
posted with said stakeholder three DAYS be-
fore the day of the contest Either party fail
money on deposit. The decision of the referee
shall be final. OWEN DAVIS
IVAN MACHLIN,
Contestants.
Witness, C. B. solms.
Stake holder, n. Louis Dietz.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19

invitation card requesting my presence at the
mass-meeting in opposition to the funding bill,
to be held on Saturday evening the 18th inst,
is at hand. l regret to state that on account OF
my enforced absence from the City, shall be
unable to be presen: at the meeting.
l sincerely trust that the meeting will be a
success in every way, and will do UGH to aid
in defeating the audacious ana outrageous
scheme, in the form of the funding bill, now
pending in Congress, the success of which
would entail upon California, for fifty years to
come, the burden of discharging the enormous
embarrassing obligation of the aided rogues.
l deem it of great Importance that the mass
meeting should be confined, as to its result, to
the precise question before it, viz: the express
sion in emphatic terms of the opposition of the
whole people of California to the funding bill
To go beyond this, and indulge in either the
cries or resolutions es to the best means to be
adopted By the Government for the solution of
this railroad problem would, it seems to me,
be most unwise, snd would be more than likely
to involve the meeting in discordant debate
over issues which are not logically or properly
before it.
Again regretting my inability to be present,
l beg to remain yours very truly,
CHARLES NJ. SHoRTRIDGE.
The following telegram was received
from one of Mayor Sutro's trusted Eastern
agents:
WASHINGTON, D. c., January II, 1896.
A. SutrO, Mayor Of San Francisco: Huntington
is organizing some secret particular dodge.
Has distributed some circulars among select
Congressman, which others cannot see.
cannot find what it is yet.
From Visalia came a resolution couctied
in terms fully coinciding with those ulti-
mately expressed in the resolutions
adopted by the convention. These resolu-
tons were forwarded by Ben NJ. Maddox,
who had been chosen to represent Visalia
at the convention, but was unable to at
tend. 1t was also signed and Endorsed by
the Board of Supervisors of Tulare County,
as follows: T. E. Henderson (chairman),
T. B. Twadeler, S. NJ. Gillian, S. L. n.
Ellis and J. H. Grimsley.
W. P. Ink, chairman of the Board OF
Trustees of Cloverdale, forwarded reso-
luton, the substance of which was: "Our
people want to see the funding bill de-
feated."
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19

generously aided the construction of tn 9
Pacific railway.
Second-That the bonds are now partly
due, and the grantees refuse to pay them
and ask the Government to extend, for
fifty or 100 years, the time of payment
at half the ruling rates of interest.
Third-That the assets of said railroads
have been frauduIently converted by the
original stockholders of the Central Pa
cific Railroad Company Hunting ton,
Stanford, Hopkins and Crocker-who and
whose estates now declare the roads are
bankrupt, while they are each worth
many millions of dollars which right
fully belong to the security.
Fourth-That these same parties have,
by all sorts of ilIegitimate means, kept
out competing railroads, and thereby
managed to extort from the people of
this coast exorbitant rates of freights
and fares.
Fifth-That these extortions have inn
pOverished and well nigh ruined our
farmers and brought the country gener-
ally into state of abject dependence.
Sixth-That by such legislation they
would also escape liability, as trustees
for the United States, having distracted
the assets, constituting a large part of
the security and which are now in their
possession, and which had been en-
trusted to their management
Therefore be it
RESOLPED. That we, the citizens of
California, in State convention assem-
bIed, hereby enter our solemn protest
against the passage by Congress of any
re-funding bill whatever, and demand
that the law shall be permitted to take
its natural course without interference
by the legislative branch OF the Govern
ment.
RESOLVED, That the President of
the United States be requested TO
promptly do his executive duty under
the constitution and statutes, and to in
struct the AttorneyGeneraI to COM
mence foreclosure proceedings with out
delay in such form as to enforce the
trust and rehabiIitate the security itself,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That our Senators and
members of Congress be requested to
purs ue the course indicated in these res
OIutions, representing the wish and
demand of ninety-nine out of every
hundred of all the inhabitants of the
State of California and of the Pacific
Coast.
RESOLVED, That the secretary be
instructed to forward copies of these
resolutions to the President of the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19

Resolutions came also from a mass
meeting held in Newcastle. They were
signed by the chairman, A. J. Shellham-
mer, and the secretary, Ed Katzenstein,
and we're couched in plain and strong
words denouncing the funding bill. The
mass-m Getting was held on January 16, and
From Colusa came the following resolu-
tons, passed at mass-m Getting OF the citi-
zens on January 10:
WHEREAS, We believe that strenuous efforts
are being made to pass funding bill in Con-
gress, extending the time for settlement of the
debts of the Central and Union Pacific Rail-
road companies with the Government; and
whereas, the citizens of Colusa, in mass-meet-
ing assembled, believe it to be inexpedient to
SO extend the time; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we are opposed to the passage
OF a funding bill, or bill in any form whatever,
that will extend the time of settlement of this
just debt. FRANK WILKINS, Chairman.
ED. ST. MAURICE, Secretary.
Another communication, signed by P.
T. Boone, president of the Board of Trust
ees, and H. V. Keeling, Town Clerk OF
guage:
We voice the sentiments OF this town by de-
claring thatall are unanimously united against
the funding bill. believing it to be in
iquitous measure, and its passage would be a
National disgrace We applaud your action
and add this, our small but determined voice,
to the success of your effort.
On motion of George K. Fitch, the chair
man was empowered to appoint COM
mittee on resolutions. Mayor Sutro ap-
pointed the following, giving them an
hour in which to propose set of resolu.
tions which would embody the sense of
the assembled delegates:
George K. Fitch, San Francisco; ]. L. Dav1e,
Mayor of Oakland; II. NJ. Baggs, Mayor Of
Stockton; Robert Brown, Sacramento; B. A.
ostrom, Yuba; John T. Doyle and Henry E.
Highton, San Francisco; NJ. NJ. Estee, Napa;
Marion Cannon, Ventura; l. j. Truman, Gavin
McNab and Colonel T. F. Barry, San Francisco;
Ben Morgan, Oakland.
Upon the retirement of the committee
on resolutions, Mayor Sutro was roundly
applauded as he stepped forward and
made the following brief address:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION:
There is tide in the affairs of men
Which. taken at its flood, leads on to fortune.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19
ALL AGAINST
RE-FUND|NG.
Enthusiastic State Conven-
ton at Metropolitan
Temple,
STIRRING RESOLUTIONS.
The Entire State Well Repre-.
scented and United on the
One Platform.
A PERMANENT ORGANIZATION
Congress to Be Memorialized and the
Sentiment of California Made
Known at Washington.

WHEREAS, Several bills are now
pending in Congress having for their OBJ
iect the re-funding to the United States
Government of the debts owed by the
Pacific railroads; and,
WHEREAS, The people of California
are deeply interested in this question,
and are now assembled in State conven-
ton to express their opinion thereon,
and desire to respectfully submit the fol-
lowing:
First-That the United States Govern
ment, by large grant of land and bonds,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19
ON ACCOUNT OF The FENCE.

Do you know bargain II you see II? II you do
call and examine line of Ladies' Button and Lace
Shoes which we offer for sale this week. They are
made OF the finest French vici kid and have very
pointed toes and pointed patent-eather tips and
are hand-sewed welts and will sell them for
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19
MIGHTY LITTLE
PRICES PREVAIL!

Cuticura, 15c; Brandreth, Beecham, Ayers
Hoods, Pills, 15c; Chest Protector, Csc
Sponges, 10c; Syrup of Figs, csc; Joys and
Hoods Sarsaparilla, 65c; Rosinweed Cough
Cure SOC.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19
COSTLY AFFECTIONS.
They Belong to Mrs. Curtis aud Sh
Sues for Damages for Their
Alienation.

Mrs. Emma A. Curtis of 1911 Green
street wants $4,000 worth of damages
from Miss Leonora Miles. She says Miss
Miles has alienated the Curtis affections
from their legitimate object, causing
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-19

United States, his Cabinet, the Judges
of the United States Supreme Court and
the IN embers of both houses OF Congress,
and that a committee of hVe be ap-
pointed by the chairman of this conven-
ton to prepare n mem orial to accompany
these resolutions, with full power to act.
These are the resolutions that were
unanimously adopted by the State con-
vention which met in Metropolitan
Temple yesterday afternoon to voice the
sentiment of the people of California on
the question of re-funding the debts owed
to the Federal Government by the Pacific
railroads.
The convention was called by the Mayors
of San Francisco, Oakland, Stockton and
Sacramento on representative basis OF
one delegate for every 5000 of population
in the larger cities, one delegate from each
township OF over 500 population, and one
delegate from all other counties.
The convention was an unqualified
success. 1t was enthusiastic and unani-
nous on the main proposition throughout,
and the resolutions were carried by a
rising vote. The following committee was
chosen to prepare the memorial to Con-
gress:
NJ. NJ. ESTEE J. L. DAVE
JOHN T. DOYLE f. NJ. GIBSON
HENRY Z. HIGHToS ADoLPH SUTRo
A. CAMINETT.
1t devolved upon Mayor Sutro as chair
man of the convention, to name the COM
mittee. He called upon Messrs. Estee,
Doyle, leighton, Cannon and Davie to
serve. And then, by special vote the
names of ex-Congressmen Caminetti and
Mayor Sutro were added. Mr.. Caminetti
requested the privilege of retiring from
the committee in favor of ex-Judge E. NJ.
Gibson of Oakland.
A large majority of all the delegates in
vlted by the call were present when
Mavor Sutro opened the meeting. But
even this number made rather poor
showing on the floor of the convention
hall, and at first there was some talk of ad-
journing till next week so as to enable the
distant counties to send their delegates,
and also to permit larger representation
from the various counties. 1t was pro-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-14

aragua, for he is a native of Holland. He is to
all in tents and purposes now, however, ma
tive Nicaraguan, for he has all the ways of his
Spanish-speaking, dark-skinned compatriots.
Strictly interpreted, though, the residents Of
Nicaragua are not allloyal to President Zelaya
They have been having a revolution down
there, and General Reuling has been coping
with it
This accounts for his arriving with his left
leg in chancery, so to speak. 1t was swathed
in bandages, because of a bullet discharged
from rife in the hands of the followers of
General Francisco Baca at the battle OF La Paz
six months ago. The wound refused to heal
and General Reuling, finding it would never
get well there, came here to try new climate
and new treatment on it, He may have to re-
main here several months.
president Zelaya is one of the wisest rulers
Nicaragua has ever known" said he yesterday
"and the attempt to overturn the country by
Baca was monstrous case of ingratitude
The President is doing everything he can to
bring about prosperity there, and he has sue
ceeded pretty well.
"The revolution is now suppressed. Mica
ragua is fourishing. The coffee crop is good
and money quite plentiful"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-14

away in the corner of the loft, and its presence
was accidentally disclosed while he was put
ting away other flags which had been used IN
decorating the house.
1t was flag of the old regulation size, its
bunting stained with dust and age, its blue
considerably faded and the stars once white.
turned dingy There were just thirteen OF
these stars, arranged not as in the original flag
In circle, but exactly as in the cut, and the
stars, instead OF being woven IN, were sewed
on 70 the material OF the flag, precisely as the
adopted. 80
Mr. Mund was not long in coming to the con-
ciuslon that many years must have elapsed
since that union and those stripes and stars
saw the light. The elder Mr.. Mund bought the
property, his son said, more than forty wears
ago, and be was confident that his father knew
nothing OF the existence of this old-time relic
There, undisturbed, in the dark and dust. has
that OLD nag lain while the thirteen stars
lacked Iast upon Its blue have multiplied into
nVe ana forty, and q bitter Conficf has been
Waged In order to keep them together.