The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-23
The Popular Mayor From Oroville
Honored With Unanimous
Election.
ORGANIZED FOR AN EFFECTIVE
CAMPAIGN.
The First Meeting of the Committee
Ends in Vigorous Plans and
Good Feeling.

The executive committee of the Repub-
hcan State Central Committee effected
complete organization yesterday amid
perfect harmony and good feeling, and
when this important body adjourned it
was ready for energetic campaign work
and free from every possible cause for
future friction or discord within itself
The chief result of the forenoon meeting
at 419 California street was the election by
acclamation of Frank Mclaughlin of Oro-
Vile as chairman, on the nomination Of
John d. Spreckels.
The morning proved the wisdom of the
adjournment taken on the previous after
noon. When the convention ad iourned
on Thursday the chairmanship was the
subject of much contention and uncer-
tainty owing to an opposition to z. F.
Preston which had developed quickly and
Unexpectedly. Mr.. Preston's long expert
ence in State campaigns, his executive
ability and his prominence in the party
had made him the favoTite with large
number of the mem bers, but when several
OF the committeeman indicated that they
would not support him a candidate on
whom all could agree was sought.
The members of the committee recog-
nized the need for harmonious action, and
earnestly desired it. AS quickly as the
situation concerning the executive head
OF the committee appeared with its tangle
Frank Mclaughlin became the one to
whom large majority turned in recog-
milton of the fact that he was the natural,
logical and most available man for the
place.
In the first place Mclaughlin had a
friend in every member of the COMMITTEES
as he has in nearly every member of the
party in the State. His election could be
an offense to none, and amity in the COM
mittee would naturally follow. MIR. Nc
Laughlins wide personal acquaintance
throughout the State together with his
close acquaintance with its conditions and
needs were further apparent qualifications.
His well-known executive ability, energy
and force of character were as quickly
recognized, and these things, coupled with
his broad experience iE politics, gained
through several years of active interest in
the State affairs of the party, were seen to
especially fit him for the place.
Still another important consideration in
his favor was the one that he halls from
the northern part of the State and that his
selection would be discreet and deserved
recognition of that section. Thus it came
about that the popular Major Mclaughlin
was turned to as the most available man
for the place and received an honor wholly
unsought by himself.
1t was thus in the interests of harmony
that Mr.. Preston magnanimously with
drew from the candidacy yesterday morn
ing, and his friends cheerfuliy gave their
support to Mclaughlin. The outcome is
satisfactory to the whole committee, and
the members parted somewhat elated that
so happy an outcome had followed what
for a few hours had seemed to be a
promise OF a close and possibly bitter
contest.
The other officers of the committee were
easily agreed upon, and it was ordered
that the chairman appoint the usual COM
mittees.
Nineteen of the twenty-one members
were present again when the committee
men came together in the one inner room
on California street which the State Cen
trail Committee has been holding between
campaigns. Frank A. Miller of Pasadena
was represented by Frank P. Flint of Los
Angeles, proxy. w. f. George of Sacra-
mento had returned home, leaving his
proxy with John D. Spreckels. E. K. Tay-
lor of Alameda, who was absent the day
before, was on hand. Those who answered
the rollcalI were: John D. Spreckels, Louis
Sloss, W. w. Shannon, Cornelius OCon-
nor, NJ. r. Higgins. A. Ruef, Harry n.
Gray, w. a. S. Nicholson, Paris Kilburn,
San Francisco; E. F. Preston, San Mateo !;
Frank Mclaughlin, Oroville; Allen B.
Lennon, Santa Rosa; James w. Rea, San
Jose; NJ. H. Weight, Pasadena; Irving B.
Dudley, San Diego; Frank P. Flint, FL. H.
Osborne and w. F. Parker, Los Angeles;
4. X. Taylor, Alameda.
AS soon as the rollcall was finished in
executive session which was called to
order by James w. Rea temporary chair
man, John D. Spreckels rose and said that
In the interest of harmony he would nom
mate Tor chairman of the committee
Frank Mclaughlin of Oroville. Several
members quickly seconded the nomina-
ton and Mr.. Mclaughlin was elected by
acclamation.
4. n. Taylor of Alameda nominated by
a. huet, was unanimously elected first
vice-chairman.
for second vice-chairman w. A. s. Mich
olson OF San Francisco was nominated bv
a. b. Lennon and his election was like
wise unanimous.
M. II. Higgins was elected secretary by
acciamatlon on nomination by F. P. Flint.
The contest over the assistant secretary.
ship appeared, but the place was given
with no dissenting vote toJacob Steppacher.
who has ably filled the position for several
years and gained great and valuable famil.
iarity with the men and affairs of the