The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
Max Pepper and John Foley
Think 1t Would Be a
Strong Ticket.
FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
Proposal That the Democrats Take
Three Representatives and
the Populists Four.

Certain secret conferences between per-
sons high in the councils of the Demo
cratic party and persons close to the pow
ers behind the throne in the Populist
party have been nored recently.
In these behind-curtain ete.a-tetes not
more than three on side have been en-
gagged, and when the cabalistic six sepa-
rated and wended their ways homeward
they exchanged mods and winks, the full
import of which could be understood only
by the initiated.
These meetings were invested with the
most profound secrecy, as though the fate
of the empires were at stake, and it was
only within the past day or two that THE
CALL succeeded in unearthing the gopher
that had been burrowing so long in
secrecy. In brief, the subject discussed in
these behind-the-curtain meetings, was
that of a fusion on the Congressional
ticket.
1t has not been definitely settled as to
which side made the overtures, but the
matter is said to be under serious consid-
Grafton by leaders of the Democratic and
the Populist parties. The plan outlined
was this: That the Democrats would not
make any nominations in the odd-num-
bered Congressional districts, and that the
Populists would not put up any candi-
dates in the even-numbered districts. 1t
is understood that the scheme is under
favorable consideration and that the fol-
lowing ticket was made up at the confer
ences as an object lesson of the plan pro-
posed:
First Congressional District-George
w. Monteith Populist).
Second Congressional District - A
Caminetti (Democrat).
Third Congressional District-Judpe
f. Nj. Gibson (Populist).
Fourth Congressional Distrfct-Judge
Mcguire (Democrat).
Fifth Congressional District Mayor
Sutro.
Sixth Congressional District-Georee
Patton (Democrat) of Los Angeles.
Seventh Congressional District-J. L.
Gilbert (Populist) of Fresno.
At the last Congressional election in the
First District Barham (R.) received Is, IO1
votes; Geary CD 1850, and Grigsby
(Pop.) 7246. In proportion to its voting
strength this is the strongest Populist ois-
trict in the State. It contains a large
laboring and farming vote among agri-
culturists and lumber men in Sonoma
Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte, Shasta
and Siskiyou, as well as miners in the
Sierra Nevada mountains. Railroad en-
ployes have large vote in that district,
but the remainder of the vote is nearly all
agricultural, and it is a strong anti-rail-
road district. The Populists allege that
Barham, the present representative, is a
railroad man, but this is denied by the
Democrats. The Populists lay much stress
on the fact that his cards were allowed to
be tackled up in the railroad shops, while
those of Grigsby, the Populist candidate,
were not allowed within the limits of the
railroad yards.
In the Second District CamInetti expects
to bury Johnson by 10000 or 1900 MAJOR
ity. Those engineering the matter want
to make a hot fight in Johnson dis.
trict, such Waterloo for c. P Huntington
that no Congressman will ever undertake
TO go against his solemn pledges and the
Will OF the people again as the Populists
say that Johnson did.
Judge Gibson indicated his popularity in
the Third District two years ago by running
1000 10 5000 ahead of his ticket, SO that the
combined vote would give him a very large
majority.
In the Fourth Judge Mcguire would poll
very strong vote, say the Democrats, and
with the com bined strength of the fusion
would receive an enormous majority.
The friends of Mayor Sutro are conf.
dent that he could easily beat Loud in the
Fifth two TO one, should the fusion be-
come fixed fact. If Sutro's vote fo,
Mayor be criterion, they say that he
would probably have the biggest majority
OF any Congressman ever elected from the
State.
The friends of Mr.. Patton in the Sixth
expectthat with his splen did anti-railroad
record he would beat McLachlan without
difficulty.
Gilbert in the Seventh is a strong man
with the Popullsts and made fine rur
two years ago.
In the early stages of the conference 6
combination on the legislative ticket wa,
spoken of, but as the Popaiists would stick
to Gator under all circumstances it was
not deemed advisable to keep the PROPOSE
ton standing.
Mr.. Monteith was asked last night as to
his opinion OF the proposed plan. He
vebemently disclaimed all knowledge O.
1T, and declined to express any opinion OF
the matter until he had time to think i
over. The ticket seemed to him to be s
good one, except the name of the candi
date from the First District, whom b,
could not consistently support. This il
supposed to be facetiousness.
Max Pepper of the Rainey-Junta win,
OF the Democracy said that he had not We
been consulted and he was not conyersap
with the proposed plan except that Taylol
Rodgers nad suggested that it might worl