The San Francisco call., 1896-02-05
A Railroad Interview That Was
Not What 1t Seemed
to Be.
DIsMAY AT WASHINGTON CITY.
An Exposure of the Methods of the
Southern Pacifc's Paid Sym.
pathizers.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,
908 Broadway Feb

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,)
90S Broadway, Feb. 4.
Much excitement was caused in political
circles to-day by the receipt OF dispatches
from some of the California representa-
tives at Washington asking what certain
Oaklanders of some political weight were
doing. The result. was the exposure of
certain underhand methods being pursued
by the Southern Pacific Company through
their local lieutenants to create erroneous
impressions at Washington regarding the
local feeling toward the refunding bill.
Some weeks ago carefully written in
teryiew on the railroad matters now before
Congress was handed to several people for
signature. The affair was kept profound
secret and many men whose names carry
weight were obtained. The document was
a Machiavellian affair, that sought to con-
vey ideas that were not expressed. 1t was
in keeping with many similar documents
that have been sent out by the
railroad and published in papers
that are supposed to be It's
organs. Under the semblance of Wishing
to see justice done and of desire for
California's welfare there was more than q
hint that the bulk of anti-railroad agita-
tion was without any foundation in fact.
The gist of the double -barreled communi-
cation was such as to create an impression
at Washington that the people Of Oakland
were not opposed to refunding and did not
look with favor on foreclosure of the de-
linquent roads.
The paper arrived at Washington in due
time, and there was CONSERVATION in the
California delegation. 1t was direct lie
to the arguments being put forth by the
representatives Of this Safe against re-
funding, and an explanation was de-
manded. Dispatches were sent to Oak
land; an inquiry was set on foot and then
the discovery was made that the document
signed by so many Oaklanders was not
what it had seemed.
Some feeling was displayed and those
who had signed were particularly bitter
against those who,. they claimed, had per-
suaded them to do SO. One of the most
prominent names was that of NJ. ]. Lay
nance, chairman of the Alameda County
Central Democratic Committee. There
was great CONSERVATION when it became
known that Laymance had gone on record
as IN favor of refunding and an explana.
ton was expected.
Laymance stated to his friends that he
signed the paper at the solicitation of his
friend ex-senator w. Z. Dargie. Law
nance stated that he was not aware he
had done anything of the nature attributed
to him and Immediately set about to rec
tify it.
This was done by the getting of another
document That was signed to-day by sew
eral who bad formerly signed the docu-
ment that is already in Washington. Mr..
Holcomb is another man who claims that
he did not understand the original docu-
ment. The refunding document reads as
follows:
To the Representatives in Congress: 1t has been
reported to us that a certain document signed
by some OF the following is now in the hands
OF Congressman. We wish it to be understood
that anything purporting to come from us that
and views expressed by Senator White and
Congressman Mcguire is false. Also anything
that is in ANY way opposed TO foreclosure is
not in accordance with our views, and if any
document expressing contrary opinions has
been signed by us 1t was done under misappre-
hension of the nature of the paper presented
TO us.
The first signature to this document is
that of Chairman Laymance, and then
follow the names of the Democratic county
committeeman. NJ. J. Laymance was
seen tonight and asked about the matter
ana said:
1t is true that have signed paper to Con-
gress stating that l am definitely in favor of
the foreclosure Of the delinquent roads and of
everything advocated by Senator White and
Congressman Mcguire. l do not wish TO talk
of anything else, but have never been IN fa-
vor of the refunding bill. If I ever signed any
such paper did not know its meaning.