The San Francisco call., 1896-11-13
Letters Showing How His En-
ployment Was Effected by
the Committee.
Els DUTY MOST IMPORTANT
What Might Have Happened Were
the Vote on President Very
Close in This State.

Some adverse comment having been
made relative 10 the employment of j.
Alva Watt by the Republican State Gen.
'tral Committee TO represent the party be-
fore the Election Commissioners during
the official canvass of the vote cast in this
City on November 8, Mr.. Watt has SUBJ
mitted the following correspondence to
The CALL for publication:
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9, 1896.
Hon. Frank NcLGugh IN, ChGtIndn Republican
State Central COmH9ittee-DEAR SIR: Pursuant
80 my agreement with you, John D. spreckels
concurring, l will undertake to personally
represent the Republican State Central Com
mlttee i'll all matters before the Board OF Etec-
tion commissioners during the canvass of the
returns, and in addition thereto, to employ,
pay and supervise men to watch and tally the
count; watch the returns night and day, and
in every manner guard against error and
fraud in the canvass For these services and
expenses, including all incidental expenses,
understand that you have set apart The sum
OF $500 payable TO my order. \ ours truly,
JAMES ALyA WATT.
The following is the reply OF Major
Mclaughlin:
SAN Francisco, November 3, 1896.
james Ara Watt EsQ.-DEAR SIR: beg to
acknowledge your favor OF Novem Der and TO
say in answer thereto that your understand
ing, as expressed therein, OF our agreement
relative TO the watch, the tally OF the count,
ETC., before the Board OF Election Commis-
SlOnerS Qurlug the canvass OF the returns is
. correct, ana the sum agreed upon for payment
for such services, $15Uo, VIII be paid 10 you
upon presentation OF proper vouchers.
Il is understood that the amount men,
toned includes your fee for professional SER
vices in representing this committee be-
lore the Election Commissioners.
Urging that you exercise all vigilance in
this most important matter, am respectfully
yours, FRANK MCLAUGHLIN, Chairman.
In explanation of this correspondence
Mr.. Watt said last night:
1T has been the custom OF former State
Central committees to employ watchers
and an attorney to represent them during
the canvass OF the official returns, and In
all matters relating to the interests OF the
party before the Board OF Elecuon Com
missioners during the canvass. Major
Mclaughlin and John d. Spreckels re-
ouested me to act for the State Central
Committee in that capacity, and an inter
view was had resulting i'll the writing of
these papers.
Pursuant 10 that arrangement I have
personally attended before the Election
Com mmissioners daily since the day of elec-
ton and at every meeting held by them,
and besides that have had constantly on
guard, night and day, men watching the
ballots ia the vault, accompanying the
messenger IN taking the returns 10 and
: from the Registrars office to the rooms
where the Election Commissioners can
Tsss the returns, in keeping q special tally
properly certified are counted, and that all
errors which might be of advantage to the
Repu blican candidates for the State Senate
and Assem- bly, are noted and Il record of
them made for the benefit of those candi-
dates in any contest that may be hereafter
made before the Legislature for seats in
that body.
The work which has been done, and
which is now being done, is OF the greatest
importance to the Republican party and
is essential 10 the protection of the party's
Interests. 1t has resulted in accomplish
ing this end in every particular where
they.have been involved in the canvass
More than that. At the time when the
arrangement was made by the State Cen
tral COMMITTEE it was doubtful whether
the State would go Republican, and in
close contest the work which is now being
done might be decisive OF the result in the
State OF California and determine it either
in favor of Mckinley or Bryan, accord
ingly as the work should be carefully done
or neglected.
= 1T was to guard against this tendency
as much as anything else that the State
ntral Committee entered into the above
arrangement with me- The work which
is now being done is entirely separate and
distinct from that which was done under
the direction OF the State Central Commit
tee at the late election during the count in
the booths on the National ticket That
work was provided tor by special fund
raised fer the benefit of the State Central
Committee and has no connection what
ever with the work which is now being
done for the committee under my direc.
ton.
major Mclaughlin of the State Central
Committee positively declined to advance
any funds for the benefit of the Republi-
can County Committee or the campaign
committee or the purity committee. He
made those arrangements with me as en-
Individual, without any reference to the
so-called cam paign or purity committee"