The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-06
Men Who Figured Prominently
on the Peoples Ticket Last
Election.
ARDENT REPUBLICANS NOW.
!. B. Robinson and B. z. Collier, Once
Leaders of Populism, Tell Their
Stories.

The PopuIist leaders are deserving their
camp. They will have no more of Popu-
lism. They have felt the power of con-
vicGon and are now ardent supporters of
Mckinley and the power behind him
protection, sound money and therefore
prosperity.
Men who no later than two years ago
went through the heat of a political cam
paign as candidates on the Populist ticket
have foresworn their allegiance to the
Populist party. Fusion and free silver
proved too much for them, so they are Re-
publicans fighting under the banner of pro-
lection, sound money and prosperity.
One of the most notable of these trans
formed Populists is J. B. Robinson, the
chimney-pipe manufacturer on Market
street, who was a very formidable candi-
date for Supervisor on the Populist ticket
two years ago. He declares that it is
priceless privilege to vote for Mckinley.
Discussing his stand in favor of Republi-
canism, yesterday, he said:
Two years ago / was candidate on the
Populist ticket for Supervisor of the
Twelfth Ward and polled vote of nearly
13,0o0 the largest number of votes OF any
man on the ticket, except Mayor Sutro.
He OF course polled enough votes to elect
him.
Now, Z m out for Mckinley, for protec-
ton and sound money. Don't forget that
protection; that is the main issue. l
came from manufacturing district, Can
ton, Ohio, the same town as Major Nc
Kinley comes from. We had plenty of
work there, and good wages under protec-
tion always. l was foreman aud snperin-
tendent OF one shop there for thirteen
years, in the employ of one firm. There
was change of at least % per cent in
wages, as one of the results of breaking
down protection.
when I heard that Mckinley was
nominated l telegraphed him that after
noon my congratulations, and told him
that the country would have a Christian
President, because ne is thoroughly
good man, and If ever there has been a
more beautiful or more noble man before
the people for the same length of time as
he l don't know it. He has been in poll
tics over twenty years, and there is not a
black spot on him. After it all don't be-
lieve he is worth more than $4,000.
Bryan, l suppose, is also a good man
personally, but when he has undertaken
to give US free trade and free silver he has
given us a dose that we cannot swallow.
We have had an experience in that line,
and I think we should have them in
homeopathic doses, If at all.
II heard ior Mckinley make his first
political speech. 1t was at a flag presen-
tation In Canton. To sum up, l consider
ii great privilege to vote for man whom
l know to be so pure and so clean as he"
Another ex-Populist who has joined the
ranks Of the Republican party is B. K.
Collier, the attorney. He was one OF the
most enthusiastic Populists in San Fran
cisco, and received the nomination for the
Fourth Congressional District two years
since on the Peoples party ticket. But he
wants no more of the Populists. He ex-
planned his reasons for changing as fol-
lows:
az am going to support Mckinley right
through, and have very good reasons for
it, too.
1.-THE Republican party and the Peoples
party in the South are the only parties
that either desire or endeavor to nave
free ballot and fair count, and the Demo-
cratic party in every Southern State Is
owned and controlled by lot of ballot
box suffers. In 1892 the National Repub-
lican Committee assisted our ticket botn
with funds and with speakers, and 1t
showed me that at least in the South the
Republican party was anxious TO have
fair count.
''In November, 1893, came to Cali
fornia, and in 1894 made the campaign
against Shannon and Mcguire on the
Peoples party ticket. I've read the plat
forms Of all the parties and am fully con-
WINGED that the present standard of money
should be maintained, as l cannot see
how the free coinage of silver at is to /
will give EN- ployment to the idle people in
this country. think Mr.. Mckinley