The San Francisco call., 1896-09-25

merchants to whom you reser,' he re-
piled. There was tinge of bitterness in
the emphasis which he laid on the woro
'.merchants.'i
There Is class of citizens Aere.'' he
continued, who have waited uutil this
silver fever has died out and the tide has
turned, and then they come in at the tail
end and organize merchants leagues, and
divert money from the Republican State
central Committee, when We are sortly in
need OF funds TO carry on this campaign.
II want TO say word with reference to
a report which | heard, that John D.
Spreckels is influencing or has influenced
me or this committee. / nave found NJ.
Spreckels to be as square and as honest
man as ever met in my life. He has no
selfish motive in being in politics. He is
politically pure; in fact, too pure to be
politician"
With reference to the power of the State
Central Committee to settle disputes
within the party, Major Mclaughlin re-
called the action of the committee in the
Higgins and Chute contention many years
ago. In that matter the committee ap-
pointed convention OF $50, which con-
vention put up ticket.
ut seems to me-" he added, "that
when we see the party being torn to pieces
we should call halt. and do all we can to
stralghten them out. l don't believe 1T is
the policy of the Republican party to al
low few disgruntled politicians to split
themselves into two bodies and call them
selves the chosen representatives of the
entire party. All good citizens are crying
Shame because of this conditio of
things, and are demanding that this COM
mittee step in and straighten out The
trouble, but 1t doesn't require any letters
from business men or sound money leagues
to teach me what is my plain duty.
"As matter of fact have been work
ing about a month to bring those people
together and evolve order out of chaos,
but thus far my most strenuous efforts
have failed. This afternoon / addressed
communication to Mr.. Sonntag asking
him to adjourn his convention and to
meet me here tomorrow morning at IL
o'clock. / addressed similar letter to
MIR. R1ordan, chairman of the Auditorium
convention, to which / have not received
any reply. l understand that that con-
vention is going ahead with the regular
business.
II believe that the people are stronger
than all the politicians and all the leaders
that were ever created, and when the
people rise in their might the politicians
will be swept away"
the position of chairman of the executive
committee was forced upon him, and that
he had devoted his whole time to the dis
charge of his duties.
II can say without egotism that the ex-
traordlnary change in the sentiment of
this State that has taken place in the last
SIX weeks on the National issues is entirely
due to the work OF the committee. Old
and respected leaders of the party, who
have visited these headquarters particu-
iarly during the last few days, have ad-
mitted first, that they were totally un-
aware of the work that had been carried
on, and secondly, that better work has
hoon done than hU NV 10 n
mittee in previous campaigns. Take the
mere matter of speeches alone.
I'm 1894, with six candidates in the field
outside of the City and County of San
Francisco on the 23d day of Septem Der
twenty-three speeches had been made in
the State, whereas on the same date this
year more than 230 apeeches had been
delivered, and more than 400 clubs were
in active existence, and every county in
the State was in thorough accord with the
committee.
Speaking of counties, look at Mariposa.
For the first time in eighteen years that
county has Republican County Commit
tee, and the Republicans there have con-
yerted an almost hopelessly Bryan county
into strong Mckinley county.
81 notice in the evening papers that GER
tain parties are preparing communica-
tion to this committee asking it to take
such steps as will unite the different divi-
sions of the party in this City. This is
about what my past experience warrants
me in expecting.
Just as soon as a step is taken by an
authorized body that looks as though it
would be successful, there are those who
are eager to rush in and boldly suggest
just what they probably know is being
done. AS matter of fact, have been at
work for weeks trying to restore harmony.
Very few of those gentlemen so prolific in
suggestions realize what difficult task
it is to get together two large and inde-
pendent political bodies, both eager for
success"