The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
UNNECESSARY PLEDGES.

The Oakland Tribune is another leading
Republican paper, besides THE CALL, that
is warning the party in California not to be
hasty in pledging itself to any particular
candidate at the st. Louis convention. 1t
says:
at is probable that majority of the Re-
publicans of the State are in favor of the
nomination Of Mckinley. But they should
go to the convention free to vote for him
or for any other candidate who at that time
may seem most available. With this free
dom the votes of the California delegation
may turn the scale in favor OF some sue
cessful candidate. California will be want
ing many things of the next administra.
ton. 1t is assumed that it will be Repub-
lican. The delegates will in all probability
attend q President-making convention.
Their influence will be recognized in o
much greater degree if there is freedom to
take advantage of the largest opportuni-
ties. It would be an unfortunate circum-
stance if the delegation were tied up by
pledges to support some one man, because
such pledges necessarily antagonize all
other candidates. Fortunately, every
name that has been prominently brought
is that of good man. California would be
well served by either of such men as Nc
Kinley, Reed, Allison, Morton or Harri-
son. There may be even a greater num-
Der of names before the convention. 1t
certainly would not be fortunate circum-
stance. if, by reason OF pledges, the delega-
ton from this State were compelled,
through thick and thin. to stand by an un-
successful candidate"
The Tribune is perhaps correct when it
says that probably "a majority of the Re
publicans of the State are in favor of the
| nomination of Mckinley" The brilliant
| author of the bill which expressed the sem
timent of the Republican party on the
| subject of protection eminenJ1y deserves
the admiration of every Republican. Il
elected, as he surely would be if nom
| mated, he would make as able and patri-
| otto President as the country can pro-
| duce. He would be an honor to the whole
| people and to his party.
| As the Tribune points out, the Republi-
! cans are reasonably sure of victory in the
| coming election. The overshad owing con-
| sideration with US is the needs of this State
| and this extraordinary opportunity to de.
mand their recognition at the hands of q
great party sailing to victorious port.
| To run the risk of antagon1sms which
pledges might create is step that we
cannot afford to take. If there were any
| question that the other candidates ad-
vanced for the nomination were inferior
to Mr.. Mckinley in patriotism, ability OF
Republicanism the situation would be diff
ferent. If it were simply question OF
electing him or having a Democratic
President it would be right that all Re-
publicans should unite upon his selection.
But that is not the situation. What we
shall most surely have is Republican
President. What we should do is to
secure the greatest possible advantage
from the opportunity. No one candidate
can be sure of the nomination. A pledge
to support any particular candidate would
certainly be taken as a challenge to all
other candidates. Every intelligent Re-
| publican aware of our needs ana of the
| value of this opportunity may now ask
| himself if he has the right to run the risks
and invite the antagonisms which pledge
would provoke.