The record-union., 1896-03-30
THAT M'KINLEY TELEGRAM.
II Was Not Published Correctly in a
San Francisco Paper.
The Message Actually Sent to Grove l..
Johnson, and Why the McKin-
ley Club Sent 1t.

San Francisco morning paper on
Saturday published an alleged dispatch
sent from this city by Chairman f. r.
Dray of the Mckinley Club, Secretary
L. S. Hadley, William Beckman and w.
L. Thorpe to Hon. Grove L. Johnson, at
Washington
The alleged dispatch created consider
able comment among the Republicans
here, as it purported to ask Mr. Johnson
If, in case he were chosen as a delegate
to the National Convention, he would
support Mckinley to the exclusion of
all other candidates.
AS there are a number of free silver
men in the party who do not know
where Mckinley stands on that ques-
tlon, and are therefore opposed to send
ing a pledged delegation, they were
anxious to know wnat Mr.. Johnsons
reply to such a question would be, and
how he would define his position upon
1t.
Investigation shows that the dispatch
was garbled, and that the one really
sent was couched in different terms as
the following dispatch, received by
Hiram w. Johnson from his father, will
show:
WASHINGTON, March 27, 1896.
ceived following telegram from Beck
man for the Mckinley League: If you
are chosen a delegate to National Con-
vention will your efforts and vote be for
Mckinley for President? Answer by
wire You can say Mr.. Mckinley is my
first choice, but am opposed to instruc-
tions. The delegates should be free to
work for silver and California's inter
ests. Instructed delegates have no in-1
fuence. GROVE L. JOHNSON"
The Record Union" yesterday pub
hshed an article on the subject and
statement by DR.. C. NJ. Dixon of his
sentiments in relation to it, The full
text of the dispatch from Congressman
Johnson to his son had not been made
public at that time and the article was
based upon the fake dispatch that had
been published on Saturday
Mr.. Beckman was seen by a Record
Union" reporter yesterday. He said he
was a supporter of Grove L. Johnson,
and wanted to see him go as delegate
to the convention, as he is a brilliant
brainy man, and would add much
weight to the California delegation and
aid ii in making itself felt.
While we all feel that way toward
our fellow-townsman, however" he
said, eve did not have any knowledge
as to whether he favored Mckinley or
someone else, ana as the club was
formed to promote McKinley's interests,
we considered it right and proper that
we should know before supporting him
as a delegate, as, of course, we could not
be expected to vote to send a man who
was known to be hostile to our wishes.
''The easiest way to find out was to
ask him, and accordingly the dispatch
that he mentions was sent to him. I
cannot see that tn re is anything out
of the way about it, or any reason why
anyone should be offended at it. As
you see, it is very different from the one
published in the San Francisco paper.
THE telegram was for the purpose of
ascertaining, if Mr.. Johnson should be
elected a delegate to the Republican
National Convention, if he would sup
port, as his first choice, Hon. William
Mckinley as the Republican nominee
for President. The following letter is
an exact copy of a personal letter ad-
dressed to NJ A. Hanna Of Cleveland,
who is a warm friend and supporter of
Mr. Mckinley. This letter was written
and sent two days before the telegram
was sent to Mr.. Johnson, and while it
was my own personal letter, yet be-
lieve its sentiments will meet with the
Endorsement of the Mckinley League, of
which have the honor to be Chairman:
March 26, 1896
IN. A Hanna, Esq, Cleveland, Ohio
Dear Sir: Received yours of the 18th in
relation to the Mckinley League of Sac
ramento. 1 am Chairman of this league.
do not know Major Mckinley person
ally, and should he be selected as the
Of 40 nj T In nf
expect any favor from him, but want him
to do his duty to his country. 1 also be-
lieve we should not instruct the dele
gates from California to the National
Convention or bind them down to Nc
Kinley, but to give them to understand
that Mckinley is our choice. Should
Mr.. Mckinley not be successful, we will
endeavor to instruct them to vote for
man who has Mr.. McKinley's ideas
about our affairs.
Il am a thorough protectionist and
go farther than Mr.. Mckinley about
American affairs. in that candidly be-
lieve that until our 100000 idle men
secure employment a bar should be put
up to prevent foreign immigration.
Il assure you that the Mckinley
League of Sacramento will do their best
to advance the interests of Major Nc
Kinley for the office of President of the
United States. Yours, respectfully
'WM. BECKMAN.
''Now," continued Mr. Beckman, 81 do
not see how any fair minded person can
possibly construe said telegram except
as asking Hon. Grove L. Johnson to
support Hon. William Mckinley as Cal
ifornia's first choice for President
Il am in receipt of the following dis
patch from Congressman Johnson, in
answer to the one sent by the club to
him, in which he defines his position:
Washington. March 2Sth
''Wm. Beckman, Sacramento: My
choice at present is Mckinley. but I am
first for free silver and California
GROVE L. JOHNSON.
THAT is all there is in the matter and
I think the documents given will fully
explain themselves, and need no inter