The San Francisco call., 1896-06-06
thing that might appear the prevailing
wish of the people.
cLUNIE, THE CooUETTE.
Complete Revelation of What This
Man Would Do to Get Votes
in the Fifth.

in the Fifth.
The revelation of the Congressional can
didacy of Thomas J. Clunie in the Fifth
District is an early illustration of the ten
dency, somewhat vague as vet, toward
combinations among silver Democrats,
independent silver men and Populists this
year and toward the profanipg of party
shrines.
Clunie, who has come out as rival of
Joseph P. Kelly in the race for the Demo-
cratic nomination in the Fifth District,
proposes to run whether he gets the regu-
lar Democratic nomination or not. If he
does not get this nomination he will run
independently, if necessary, he says; but
run he will. He is also coquettishly wooing
the Populists, and the Populists half smit-
ten are looking him over with great deal
OF interest and meditation.
Mr.. Clunie has an idea that it would feel
good TO be fusion candidate and that
fusion candidates are going to be stylish
this political season. He has reached the
conclusion that the man who gets the
most votes will go to Congress. and has
theory that party nominations are worth
Notes.-The more nominations, the more
votes.
The ex-Congressman can, of course,
claim good standing in the Democratic
party. He is big man in some silver par
ties, being one of the three mem bers of the
State Executive Committee of the Ameri-
can National Bimetailic Union, which is
running the inchoate independent free
silver party and National Committeeman
for California in the Bimetallic Demo
cratic National Committee. The latter or
ganization is the one formed some months
ago within the Democratic party, with
Senator lsham G. Harris of Tennessee as
chairman. He is thus ready to play the
free silver issue for all IL is worth in his
district.
The Populists regard free silver as their
leading issue, and are showing a disposi-
tion to take up satisfactory free silver or
independent Democrats where they have
no chance of independent victory. During
the last few days Clunie has met the Popu-
list leaders. and while he says that he is
not Popullst, there is much in their plat
forms which he can support. He has ac-
quired much admiration for the Populist
leaders, too, and even has an idea that the
Democrats and Populists may send T. V.
. Gator TO the United States Senate. With
the possibilities of Democrats, independent
free silver, Populist and independe Mt
nominations before him, Clunie thinks he
is in the procession.
rather shaking their heads at Clunie's 60
ing for the Democratic nomination. They
have an idea that they could carry him
with better grace and comfort if he would
declare himself an independent and let
them get in behind him.
| Itisn't time yet to bet on Clunie's get
ting the Democratic nomination. The local
| Democratic gulf is not charted. San
francisco Will have eighty-fve votes in the
Fifth District convention, and who and
what they will represent depends on
whether the Junta or the Buckley delega-
ton is seated at Sacramento or whether
the recognition is divided. McNab and
those fellows are down on Clunie because
his brother Andy is fighting on the other
side. Clunie Is getting in his work in
| Santa Clara and San Mateo counties and
says that even Barney Murphy the big
| gold beetle, is for him. These are some of
! the political things Mr.. Clunie said yes
| terday:
"Yes, am candidate for the Demo-
cratic nomination, and | shall undoubt-
edly run whether | get that nomination or
not. l am the only Democrat who ever
won in the district. If necessary | will
run as an independent. Party nomina-
tions will not count for as much this year
as ordinarily. Money is the great issue,
and the people will vote for the men who
represent their ideas. have an idea that
the Democrats and Populists will center
on man in that district. In fact, my
hope is that there will be a general
National combination formed between
the parties. If the Democratic party
nominates a man like Morgan or like
Teller, OIL a free silver platform, believe
the Populists will indorse him. If they
nominate different men there might be
com binations on electors. Suppose that
in this State we took four and the other
five and combined on the ticket, the Re-
publicans would be defeated and each
party would get some electoral votes here
instead of none.
81 have been pleasantly surprised to
find the Populist leaders here men of such
good sense. Chairman Wardel is very
level-headed man and T. Y. Gator / ad-
mire very much. think it quite possible
that the Democrats and Populists may
unite on him for United States Senator.
''As to the local contest, l have taken no
hand in it, but as Democrat [ think the
party ought to get together. There are
good Democrats on both sides, and they
ought to unite. That is the only chance
for success with the local ticket. Any talk
about my friendship with Buckley is all
bosh. l have had no relations with him
for years."
With silvery laugh and frolicsome
mein Mr.. Clunie tapped with his toe,
kicked to the left and resumed the giddy
reel as the reporter withdrew.