The San Francisco call., 1896-01-26
ARE DIVIDED
ON FORECLOSURE,
Committee of the State Con-
ventiOn Splits On a
Word.
ALL AGAINST FUNDING.
But M. M. EStee'S Draft of a
Memorial Stops Short at
That.
SECONDED BY MAYOR DAVE.
Henry E. Highton Insists That tn e
Convention Should Not Be
MiSrepreSented.
SECONDED BY MAYOR DAVE.

Three memorials have been prepared by
three members of the Committee of Seven
appointed by the late State convention TO
protest to Congress against the passage of
the funding bill. One of them was pre-
pared by NJ. NJ. Estee, chairman of the
ommittee, another by Henry E. Highton,
and the third by John T. Doyle.
Each ofthese three urges the adoption of
his draft, and as result neither of them
has been adopted.
This committee was appointed with full
power to draw up memorial to Congress
10 follow the resolutions already forwarded,
and give further expression to the temper
of the convention. The differences among
the members will probably defeat that
purpose.
The committee, it appears, has split up
upon the word foreclosure"
They are united in their opposition to
the funding bill, but a few of them stop
there, while others go further and insist
that Congress shall be called upon to fore
close upon the railroad mortgage.
NJ. NJ. Estee, in his draft of memorial
arralgns the railroad severely, but refuses
to ask for foreclosure. In this he is Sec
onded by Mayor Davie of Oakland.
Both Henry E. HIghton and John T.
Doyle 90 further and stand for foreclosure
and the collection of the debt from the
estat of the railroad quartet.
The committee has neld number of
meetings and discussed the problem in all
its phases. The three named have drafted
and redrafted their suggestions for the
memorial IN an effort to bring them within
the requirements called for by the others.
Yesterday these three held q meeting
at which they concluded that the II differ
ences were lrreconcIlable. They there
lore decided to submit the papers for pub
Hcation, and for the possible acceptance of
majority of the committee at a meeting
that may be held this week.
There has been cons iderable feeling
among the members OF the committee in
this matter, and deep regret is expressed
over the division of sentiment.
At the meeting yesterday Mr.. Estee pre-
senteG his draft for the last time, and it
being rejected by both Mr.. Highton and
Mr.. Doyle, he signed the names of a.
Caminetti, J. l.. Davie, Marion Cannon,
L. NJ. Gibson, mem bers of the committee,
saying that he had been authorized by
those gentlemen to do so.
In stating his reason for refusing to sign
the Estee memorial Mr.. Highton said:
''Mr Estee has arraigned the railroad COM
pany in mastery style. He has mar
shaled his facts in manner that is con-
vlnCing. l have not seen it better done by
anybody. But he stops at that. He leaves
Congress to inquire What then? What is
your propositionP Then again he leaves
two things to stand out for the possible
use ot those whom we are hghting-use to
their own advantage. He shows how high
the debt OF the company rises over the as
sets. And he suggests no remedy-no
method by which the Government can
come at its own. Now, with Mr.. Hunting
ton IN Washington, he might turn that
into weapon for his own defense. If the
Iahf !,
assets so comparatively small, what can
you do about 1t, but refund and give US
time? Here is memorial from my enemy
that sets forth the hopelessness of your
case. 1t does not ask you to foreclose?
That argument might be very effective"
In response to these arguments which
have been presented time and again at
the meetings of the committee Mr.. Estee
remodeled his draft, suggesting that the
Government might proceed against Hunt
ington TO recover, but it is said to be so
worded as to protect the estates of those
OF the quartet who are dead.
Mr.. Estee defends his position by de-
clarlng that the convention was called to
protest against the passage of the funding
bill: that the defeat OF that bill leaves the
law IN the case OF mortgage due and un-
paid to take its course; that no further
action is necessary from the people here.
Mayor Davle also supports this view and
If ii stops at tEat.
Mr. Highton does not agree with this
view, as stated, and feels very strongly
upon the subject. He says the temper of
the convention, the temper OF the people
and the temper OF the press are for fore
closure. The convention expressed itself
Enthusiastically on the subject in the resolu-
tions IL adopted. Those resolutions were
drawn up by Mayor Sutro previous to the
convening Of that body, as those things
are done.
THE Mayor appointed Mr. Estee and
myself. said Mr.. Highton, ''among others
on the committee on resolutions and then
submitted his draft 10 that committee
Mr.. Estee came also prepared with draft
and read It. | was so taken with the strong
array Of facts that | suggested that it be
incorporated IN memorial that might be
attached, and suggested the appointment
OF committee for the purpose. Mayor
Sutro acted upon the suggestion and
named Mr. Estee first in appointing it, by
virtue OF which he was chosed charm an.
This difference that has arisen on this
important point is very unfortunate, to
say the least. Mayor Sutro was not at the
meeting yesterday, Dut was re represented by
Taylor Rogers, his secretary. The Mayor
IS strongly IN favor of my position"
Mr.. Doyle's memorial covers common
ground with both of these and is out and
out for foreclosure. He would Join with
lAA. h4EllOn II the laLIer memorial could
be adopted.
Following IS NJ. Highton's draft for the
memorial:
MEMORIAL ANNEXED TO PREAMBLE AND
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY STATE
ANTI-FUNDING CONVENTION, sATUR-
DAY. JANUARY Is, 1896, HELD AT MET
ROPoLrTAN TEMPLE, SAN FRANCISCO.
CAL, PREPARED BY COMMITTEE. AP-
POINTED FOR THAT PURPOSE BY THE
CONVENTION, WITH FULL POWER TO
ACT.
The undersigned committee appointed for
that purpose, with fun power to act, by the
ant-fund!ng conyenncn, held ct Metropolitan
Temple, San Francisco. on Saturday, January
IS, 1896, respectfully memorialize the Senate
and House OF Representatives of the United
states against each and every measure for re-
funding the secured Indebtedness of the Cen
iral Pacific Company, and in favor OF strict
foreclosure OF the mortgages given to secure
that Indebtedness.
Expressed IN P sentence the people of this
State consider the welfare OF the State itself 10
be involved in the new schemes of Mr. Hunt
ington and his associates, and, with the
earneslnesS and determination OF men defend
ing their property and their lives, denounce
any conceivable plan OF refunding and any
da7p t-fa