The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-11
WHY PERKINS is LOSING.
legislators firing of the Methods
Pursued by "The Echo of
Steve White"

Legislators firing of the Methods
Pursued by "The Echo OF
Steve White"
Since the ad journment of the Legislature
last Friday the Shortridge forces of the
Senatorial contest have gained a decided
advantage. No defections have taken
place and some gains of strength are re-
ported. In the Perkins camp the swagger-
ing confidence manifested early last week
has given way to apprehension. 1t is pos
itlvely known that some of the member
who were lured into the Perkins corral or
caucus at Sacramento will vote on the first
ballot for Samuel M. Shortridge.
Speaking of this attempted corraling of
publicans at Sacramento an Oakland
Assem- blyman SAID yesterday: 'In view
of Perkins treachery in his dealings with
Judge Waymire l regard myself absolved
from all obligations imposed by the pre-
tended caucus. Again, it has been made
clear to my mind that caucus represent
ing less than the number required 10 elect
a United States Senator on joint ballot
has no binding force. Where Republicans
have attained the highest degree of intel
ligent independence the rule of King
Caucus is despised.
"A caucus for the purpose of discussing
the merits of candidates is one thing and
a caucus called to bind men hand and
foot 10 the cause of single candidate is
quite another. In every State of the
Union Republicans of intelligence and
public spirit have emancipated Themselves
from the obnoxious slavery of the old-time
caucus system, which forced men to sur
render their convictions of right and
wrong at the bidding of majority.
II observe" continued the Assembly
man, '.that Perkins is aptly named the
Echo of Steve White That's what he
is. The Democratic United States Sena-
tor guides him and leads him in Wash
ington. Why cannot we have a straight
forward Republican of character, firmness
and intellect to represent California in the
Unired States SenateP In my judgment
the time is ripe for change. If Perkins
fails to get elected on the first ballot, as
believe he will, his followers will leave
him."
1t transplres that in the letter which
Perkins wrote to Waymire, seeking to ex-
plain his double-dealing in the indorse-
ment of Horace Davis for the Cabinet,
Waymire was told in lansuage that can
not well be misconstrued that Cabinet
offices were reserved for the rich. Way
mire was inferentially advised to look
for some other position or increase his
income.
The ex-Union veterans are decidedly
sensitive on this particular point. One
who served at the front through the war.
when Perkins was at home fiohtino
against giving any more recognition to
The negroes, expressed his indignation
freely:
1T is not enough" he said, ''that the
rich should manage the trusts aud con-
troll the industries of the land, but here
we have o United States Senator from
California saying to an old Union
veteran: You are too poor to live
in Washington and hold position in
President McKinley's Cablnet?' 1t is my
opinion that Major Mckinley will take
the measure OF Perkins when Federal
patronage is TO be given out. It's COM
mon talk. you know-and no one disputes
it-that Perkins refused to contribute
money to the Republican State Central
Committee. While hs was holding back
John D. Spreckels put up $1,000 for the
cause of protection and prosperity. Per-
kins gave his iawbone in bis own behalf,
and so com plicated the fight that Califor-
MIA would have been lost to the party had
it not been for the ability. generosity and
Loyalty of John D. Spreckels, Major Frank
Mclaughlin, Samuel NJ. Shortridge, Judge
Waymire and host of other Republicans
who stand in to win lights