The San Francisco call., 1896-04-18
THE IMPORTANT QUESTION.

THE CALL yesterday published inter-
views with a number of leading Republi-
cans on the attitude the California dele
CATION should take at the St. Louis Con-
vention. The opinions given were not
unanimous. That was not to be expected,
of course, for they were gathered impair
tally with the intention of representing
the sentiments of all sections of the party.
There were few,- however, who favored a
pledged delegation. The great majority
were in favor of delegation sent to St.
Louis for the purpose of advancing the
interests of California and bound by no
pledges that would interfere with the best
performance of that work.
1t was clear from the interviews that
those who favored a pledged delegation
looked at the subject from a point of view
widely different from that of those who
favored an unpledged delegation. In the
eyes of the one the National Convention
will have no other purpose than that of
nominating candidate for President. In
the eyes Of the other the convention will
be deliberative body, having large poll
cies to outline and the means of carrying
out those policies to devise, and therefore
the nomination of candidates, instead of
being the chief object of the convention.
will be only part of the means for full
filing the principles to which the party is
devoted.
There can be no question that those who
regard the convention as a deliberative
body are right. Every one having prac-
tical acquaintance with politics knows it
is at these National conventions that party
ioin he 10 in
sure them adopted and the men who are
most likely to succeed in carrying them to
perfection named as leaders of the party
in the campaign that will follow. There
fore those who favor an unpledged deIega-
ton have the truer view Of the situation
and understand better the duties which
we are to expect of the delegation at st.
Louis.
If there were to be done at the conven
ton nothing more than the nomination
of President, and California were to in
struct her delegation for one man, to the
exclusion of all others, it would matter
little what manner of men we sent there.
In fact. it would not be necessary to send
a delegation at all. We might simply
telegraph the pledge to the secretary of
the convention. II the other view is
taken, however, it is clear that we must
send strong, brainy delegation, COM
posed Of sagacious managers of men,
well informed as to the needs and inter-
ests of California and the Pacific Coast.
We are among those who believe that
the attitude of California at the conven-
ton should be one of absolute impartiality
among the leading candidates. That atti-
tude, we are convinced, best represents
the whole Repu blican party in California
and certainly best assures US of exerting
our rightful influence at the convention in
shaping the policies and forming the
measures which the party will carry out.
1t will also give US prestige and an infiu-
enee that will go far toward obtaining for
Us representation in the next Cabinet.
That is what We ought to have. 1t is
what we must have, if we are to make the
next administration all that it should be
for the Pacific Coast. Opposed to no can
didate, favorable to all, loyal to all, de-
voted to the interests of the Republican
party and to the State of California, we
urge an unpledged delegation to show at
st. Louis that. no matter who is nominated,
California in this contest will be Repub-
lican State.