The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-13
IN THE SENATE.
Samuel NJ. Shortridge Withdraws
From the Contest in Favor of
Senator Perkins.

0dIhQSi W. SI1OT lTIOBS "lthSl avs
From the Contest in Favor of
Senator Perkins.
SACRAMENTO, CAL, Jan. 12-After
President pro tenn. Flint had announced
that nominations FOR United States SEN
ator were in order Senator Stratton of
Alameda arose and said:
Throughout the middle part of last year the
Republicans OF California held county and
district conventions and, among other things,
nominated candidates for the Assembly and
for the State Senate. An important issue
which confronted the people ana which was
reflected IN resolutions and platforms was the
election by the Legislature of United States
Senator. In this latter regard il was deemed
proper By Republicans in answer to popular
demand to express their preference.
AS a result of the issue presented there has
been elected this Senate. But one name was
prominently before the people for United
States Senator, and wherever the Republicans
OF this State in county and district convention
have expressed preference by which to guide
the vote and the choice OF their representa-
tives they have, whether those conventions
were held in the north in the south,
whether they represented the miners or the
farmers. wherever over the length and breadth
of this great State choice has been thus
manifested for United States Senator, that
choice without exception has been indi-
Gated in favor of Hon. George c. Perkins.
II any Legislature through its acts should, as
it ought, reflect the viii of the people, then
this Legislature and tins Senate, as q CO.
ordinate branch thereof, should give its uu-
qualified support for the great Office OF United
States Senator to George C. Perkins.
There never was doubt from the time when
he returned to this State from the scene of his
labors in Washington but what the choice OF
the people was in favor of Mr.. Perkins-a
choice soIemnly declared in convention and
solemnly ratified at the polls.
Many in this State, of calm ana mature judy
ment, favor the election of United States SEN
ators by direct vote OF the people. The sub
sti tute method of instruction to legislators ap-
proaches as nearly as possible to the adoption
OF that great principle, and even those who
may not be bound By any expressed wish of
their constituency are nevertheless privileged
TO know and to feel that he is the choice of the
great masses OF this State.
Nearly four years ago Governor Perkins was
appointed as United States Senator TO fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Leland
Stanford. well remember that upon that oc-
casion in Oakland meeting was held wherein
speeches were made congratulating Mr.. Per-
kins by reason of this great honor.
I telt then that it mattered not SO much
what was said about him then, but what
would be said of him when his term of Office
was done. The test after all must be not what
is said of the candidate before he has entered
upon his duties, but what is the verdict OF his
constituency when he has returned from the
accomplishment Of his lsbors. Senator Per-
kins has stood this great test.
This may have been regarded as period of
proba ton for Senator Perkins. The high esti-
nation in which he was held by his State and
t.vO late oh in, h;c
election for the unexpired term. He as no
longer been upon probation-he has taken his
place in the Senate of this country and has
gained for himself high position in the es-
TEEN and in the confidence of his fellow-legis-
lators in that grand body.
There are men in the Senate Of the United
States who are great jurists, others who are
great diplomats. others who more or less
representative of the vital interests of the Ma
ton. This State itself is represented from he
south by lawyer, but Mr.. Perkins stands as q
representative not so much OF diplomacy or
OF the law, but he stands as a representative
business man OH behalf OF the commercial and
mercantile interests of the State of California
l bs4ieye that it is magnificent thing to
have IN the Senate of the United States a sound
business man, who has a practical acquain-
lance with the necessities of the Nation and
with her great industrial affairs.
Hitherto it would seem to have been the
practice in many States, and in California par
ticularly, to send millionaires to the United
States Senate. There have been Senatorial
contests which have gone down into history
which have properly provoked demand by
the people for constitutional amendment
which will give to them direct choice
The politics of this State however, have in
the last two Senatorial elections been elevated
by the selection of the incumbents in the
United States Senate, and Mr.. Perkins stands
together with Mr.. White representative of a
new time and of a new era, when not only
wealth, but merit, prevails.
We in Armada County justly feel proud of
Senator Perkins. Many factors contributed to
the remarkable expression of the popular will
in favor of Republican principles in that
county Not the least of the influences was
the fact that the legislative ticket embodied
in itself the avowed candidacy of our towns
man and fellow citizen, George C. Perkins, for
United States Senator. He is peculiarly man
of the people. and is properly the champion
not OF the rich and the privileged, but of the