The San Francisco call., 1896-08-07
FOR CONGRESS,
S, c. H|LGORN.
His denomination Recon-
mended by the Civic
Federation.
FAITHFUL TO HIS TRUST.
He Fought for the People Against
the Railroad Fund
ing Bill.
FAITHFUL TO HIS TRUST.
OAKLAND HARB1R BENEFITED
Many Apr opriations Secured by Him
for His District, Especially Mare
Island and Alameda.

The following circular, urging the re-
nomination of Congressman Hilborn, has
been issued by the Civic Federation:
To the Electors Of the Third Congressional Dis
trtd: The undersigned, a subcommittee an
pointed al a meeting held by the Committee
OF Fifty at the Mayors office IN San Francisco
TO promote the election OF candidates for Con-
gg3s ggsess VINO are opposed TO the passage OF any
Ia addressing directly their feIlow-citizens of
the Third Congressional District on subject
IN which all Callfornisns are deeply interest
ca, not less those IN the towns and valleys Of
the interior than the dwellers in the metropo-
lis. The hnal struggle in all probability in
relation to the Powers funding bill will take
place at the next or short session of Congress,
which viii commence in December and end on
the 4th OF March OF next year The object of
that bill is TO roll over on three generations OF
Ca1fornlans the debt due by the Central Pa
cihc Railroad Company TO the Government of
the United states and substitute them for the
real delinquents, c. P. Huntington and his
associates. The struggle is one OF the most
extraordinary that has ever fallen to the lot of
any STATE OF the american Union. 1t is for
that commercial and industrial freedom with
utwhieh there can be no prosperity or ad-
Yaneement in town or country.
The monopoly that has been created out of
the benencenee OF the Government in its effort
TO knit all parts OF the country together is the
most grinding, the most remorseless and the
most oppressive that has ever been set up
lists TO pay tn cir just debts to the Government
has been waged IN Congress for two sessions !;
first over what is known the Reilly bill and
now over the Powers bill, which is still more
outrageous in its details. In that fierce con-
test no Represen tative in the House from Cali
forn1a has done better service than Hon. S. G.
Hilborn OF your district. Not only has he
fought against the stupendous monopoly on the
floor OF the House, but he managed 10 enlist
in the cause OF our suffering State that sterling
and independent journal, the Washington
Star, the vigorous utterances OF which have
made Mr.. Huntington vince.
In few days now convention viii be held
to nominate successor 10 Mr. Hilborn. If he
should be defeated Mr.. Huntington will be
able at the next session of Congress TO point to
that fact as proof that his constituents in the
seven great and populous counties OF Alameda,
SOlano, Contra Costa, YOlo, Colusa, Glenn ard
Lake have repudiated his course in Congress.
Further, if faithful Representatives are per-
mltted in this way to be sacrificed what hope
can we entertain for the future OF honest SER
vice on the part OF our public servants? Mr..
Huntington will be quite sure 10 look out for
the interests OF his tools and agents. 1t viii be
sad commentary if the people should allow
those who stand up for their interests TO be be-
uayed and defeated. There is a special point
in tha case Of .-fiiborn. becauke IN his
several canvssses in his district he has always
been outspoken against the enormities OF rail-
road domination.
He has also by his fearless course incurred
the especial ennIty OF the railroad machine.
His refusal at the last political campaign TO
appear at a meeting over which the chief of
which he is made.
But apart altogether from the Overwhelming
question OF the shifting Of the railroad debt
upon the shoulders of the people, Mr.. Hilborn
deserves denomination in hearty and spon-
taneous manner because OF his active services
IN behalf Of his district. From an examina-
ton OF The Record Ii appears he has been un-
tTlng IN promoting the interests OF his con-
sutuents. Among his other important work
Mr. HI born has succeeded in placing
Oakland harbor under the continuous
contract system, and secured more than
double the annual appropriation for contract
work at Mare Island Navy-yard. He had in
Inc Naval Committee and on the floor of the
House charge of Senator Perkins bill estab-
!lshing naval training school at Goat Island.
ne nAewlse secured an appropriation Tor
survey OF Nalleyo.s Channel preparatory to its
Improvement. The naval militia owes to his
influence the order OF the Navy Department
placing the Camauche at its service for prac-
tce. AS chairman the Public Buildings
Committee he procured favorable action for
paolic buildings for Oakland, Alameda and
these subjects must depend mainly on Mr.
Hilborn's reelection. This is a list OF distfn-
guished services that ought to secure unani-
nous Endorsement on the part OF his constitu-
ents, especially when the lines upon which
Congress itself is organized are taken into the
account
Tine longer a Representative serves the. mora
valuable he becomes. The old South under
stood this well enough and rarely changed its
Representatives except for cause. The North
In recent years has been learning the same
lesson. We have had instances of its wisdom
in this State. A former Representative of
part OF Mr. Hilborn's present district was
elected four times, and result in the last
session he served obtained the chairmanship
OF one OF the great committees-that Com
merce-in which he was enabled 10 do some
signal service to his State Mr.. Hilborn is now
we'll advanced on important committees. If
lie is continued in Office he Will rise to COM
manding influence in the councils of the Ma
ton. There is DO point OF view from which
the closing of the career OF this faithful Repre-
sentative can be regarded with liberation: We
are satisfied that our fellow-citizens OF the
Third Congressional District are fully aware
of tnat fact.
We venture to make suggestion or two in
the matter only because OF the deep sollcitude
which we feel for the success OF the effort to
secure that commercial and industrial inde-
pendence without which there can be no
progress in California. In consequence OF the
peculiar circumstances of the case the defeat
of Mr. Hilborn for denomination and re-elec-
ton would be blow from which it may take
a long time TO recover. With the fullest belief
in your wisdom and judgment we beg to sub
scribe ourselves your earnest fellow-citizens,
JAMES II. BARRY,
GEORGE K. FITCH,
JOSEPH LEGGETT,
l. j. TRUMAN