The San Francisco call., 1896-03-22

nate Congressman when they got together
at Sacramento May 5, an idea that was
made much of at the mass-meeting as an
| other reason why SIX men should not act
| for all Alameda County.
| Morrison asked Fisher to read the Sec
| tion of the call issued by the State Central
Committee which was said to contain this
possibility. The section was read as fol-
! lows:
| 1t is further directed that the delegates
chosen to the Congressional conventions shall
meet in State convention at the city of Saera- :
mento on Tuesday, the 9th day of May, 1896,
at P. NJ, to select four delegates at large to
| the National Republican Convention and four
alternate delegates to act in case the delegates
selected be absent, and for the trans action of
such other and further business may be
brought before said State Convention.
at has seemed to me that the mass
meeting was called under a misapprehen-
sion of what the convention may do, said
Taylor.
Fisher said that it was member OF the
Congressional committee who had first
pointed out to him that possibility.
Thornton couldn't see how any intelli-
gent person could draw such an inference
from the call.
Morrow here flashed up practically
new idea by asking Fisher if a better ex-
preston of the will of the people could not
at an open primary. There developed the
intimation that the committeeman might
consult the clubs in making appointments.
Mackay of Alameda rose to say that the
main question was not, "Wili the conyen-
ton nominate Congressman but the
right of electors to choose delegates who
nominate their officers. 1t had been said
delegates to nominate President. He
urged the committee to "get its second
wind" and provide for primaries.
Matthews of the Army and Navy League
of Oakland reported the meeting and pro-
testing resolutions of that organization
and he made an appeal for primaries.
s. X. Thornton of Oakland, represent
ing Glenn County, said that he was an old
Republican who never kicked over the
traces; that he thought the selection of
delegates should be left with the commit
tee, and that better representation could
be secured from Republican clubs than
from a primary. The idea that the con-
ventions could nominate Congressman
under the call was preposterous, he said.
Wells of Contra Costa said that he would
favor anything the Alameda County dele
CATION adopted. Nearly all the country
mem bers seemed to want to keep out OF
the Alameda fight.
Powell, representing Jones OF Colusa,
read letter from Jones favoring prim-
aries in all the counties.
Pond of Yolo said that he did not pro-
pose to take any hand in Alameda
County's fight, and he believed that mat
ters should be left to the committeeman
from the various counties.
The talking was over, and Chairman
Taylor called the ayes and noes on the
motion to ratlfy the report from Alameda
County. Three weak ayes were heard
two from somewhere in the neig hborhood
of Eli Denison, and Powell alone voted no.
The motion was declared carried.
Then the reports from other counties
We're approved in short order, without
debate.
Wells reported that in Contra Costa
County Committee.
Hockeimer reported that the committee
man from Glenn would appoint.
Lake being unrepresented was left to the
committeeman (Read) with power to act.
In Solano the selection of delegates is
left to the County Committee.
Pond of Yolo reported "the people Of
our county will hold primary" Applause
from the Oakland citizens.
Powell said he had no definite report
from Jones of Colusa and things were left
to Jones of Colusa with power to act.
The matter of drafting call came up
and was left with the committee appointed
for that purpose at the previous meeting.
There was inquiry about the number of
delegates. but nothing definite resulted.
at the previous meeting it had been or
dered that delegates should be selected by
primary or otherwise on April 25. On mo-
ton of Wells this order was amended by
providing that counties should select dele
gates when they pleased, returns to reach
the Congressional committee by April 25.
The committee adjourned to meet at the
call of the chair.
II DO not like to express an opinion off.
hand and so soon," said p. M. Fisher
few moments after adjournment, ''but
there is no question that profound dissatis-
faction will result from the action taken
here to-day. 1t has been suggested here
that the committeeman would probably
leave the choice to the Republican clubs.
That would be a compromise that would
mollify somewhat the obiectors, though
they insist on the principle of the absolute
right of the voters to select the delegates.
But in some wards there are no clubs. II
in these two or three clubs are organized
which is to be recognized2 You see the
ch haDce for mora confusion -