The San Francisco call., 1896-03-10

pitAluS heDuOllCan OlIQCultlcS appeared
yesterday nowhere but in the proposition
that the State Central Committee should
hold another meeting, do important things
that it LETT undone and take such authorl-
tative action in the interest of party har
mony as the independent and fair-minded
Judgment of the members might dictate.
This was the most important topic OF
discussion among leading Republicans
yesterday. 1t did not appear as factional
absolute necessity, of the step was recog-
nlzed by great number of leading Repub-
means OF variety of interests and affilia-
uons. There were those who opposed it
ana those who doubtfully leaned either
toward favor or opposition to the PROPOSE
ton. However, the impetus which the
ldea had gained since last Saturday seemed
yesterday to give strong promise that this
road to settlement of the general tangle
OF affairs will be taken this week.
Ihere are many considerations in favor
OF another meeting of the State Central
Committee. Important preliminary cam
palgn work was left undone at the one
hour meeting of a week ago Saturday in
Pioneer Hall. The Estee vote was declared
the basis for the apportionment of dele
gates to the Congressional conventions
and to the State Convention, but no ap-
portionment of delegates to the various
countles was made, as has always been
done and as it is proper TO do to avoid
mistakes and contentious. The call made
no provisions for the nomination of Con-
gressmen or electors. A new State Central
committee and other things were aban-
doned to the future State convention to
take voluntary action on.
The recent meeting of the Republican
State Central Committee was an unusual
one in the brevity of its session, the single
ness OF its work and, chiefly, in the fact
that programme constituting complete
innovation of the methods of Republican
State politics was flashed Unexpectedly on
the meeting by the executive committee
and accepted without discussion or clear
understanding. Hardly a dozen OF the
seventy-five members of the committee
present had received any intimation of the
nature OF the call to be reported. An ad-
journment was taken within few minutes
of the reading of the call. Misundersrand-
ings as to what was to be the course of
affairsin some particulars began in the
hall and lasted there for half hour, and
they have increased since. The holding of
an aggregation of Congressional conven-
tions in this manner is a new thing and
the way of doing was not we'll prepared
beforehand in the Republican political
system. The sending OF delegates by elec-
ton, appointment or otherwise was left to
Congressional committees. Such things
didn't happen to be in existence In many
districts. 1t was left to the State Central
Committeeman from each district to
create them, and to them supreme power
was given. These State Central Com
mitteemen have found much trouble in
performing this duty. 1t is a disputed and
important question whether or not the
members of the executive committee at
large appointed by NJ. NJ. Estee, have the
right to participate in the election OF Con-
gressional committees. There are i'm
portant tangles in the Third, Fourth and
Fifth districts, and smaller ones elsewhere
throughout the State.
In this condition of affairs many leading
Republicans see that the easiest, wisest
and surest way of strengthening out things,
effectins harmony in the party and crea-
ting situation that will insure party sue
cess, is to have the State Central Commit
tee meet again, do what it left undone in
it's one-hour session, and taking such fur
ther steps as the good sense and fair judg-
ment of the majority may dictate. 1t is
recognized that the State Central Commit
tee is now the supreme power 1t is the
power that will be obeyed and the natural
one to act at this juncture.
The affairs of the Fifth District also
await future developments. The delegates
from Santa Clara County. S. F. Aver and
J. B. O'Keefe, and George c. Ross of San
Mateo County, now constitute third fac
tion among the State Central Committee
men of the Fifth District. This faction
shows slight disposition to hold the bal
ance of power in the interest of the nom-
nation of a Congressman from down that
way. Jim Rea OF San Jose is credited
with joining interests with them.
The claim of Chairman P. 3. Cornwall
OF right to participate in the appoint
ment OF the Congressional Committee is
another element of uncertainty in the
situation. Whether or not the meeting at
Redwood City next Thursday will be held
according to the adjournment of three
mistaken members last Saturday also
awaits the future. Other arrangements
for the meeting will likely be effected.