The San Francisco call., 1897-10-31
DECLARES
IN FAVOR
OF FUSION
Senator Whites Speech
at a Los Angeles
Love Feast.
URGES A UNION OF
SlLV Ell l ES.
Representatives of Three PO-
litiCal Parties Applaud
His Remarks.
WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR
REELECTION.
Says This Fact Has Not Inf uenced
His Judgment Regarding
Coalition.
Representatives of Three PO-
IitiCal Parties Applaud
His Rem arkS.
WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR
REELECTION.
Says This Fact Has Not Inf uenced
His Judgment Regarding
Coalition.
Special Dispatch to The CALL

LOS RNGE,LES. Oct. 80. - Senator
Stephen NJ. White at a luncheon given
by the Silver Republican Club to-
day placed himself cquarely on record for
fusion of all elements in the State Cd.
posed to the Republican party for the
election of 1898. Senator White made an
open declaration in favor OF a combina-
tion in an after-dinner speech and in brie t
outlined plan whereby in his judg gmen.
union of opposing forces could be ad-
vantageously effected.
There were present at the board DR.. Z.
w. Hill, chairman of the Democratic
County Com c1ittee; Milton Carlson, chair
man OF the Fopulist city com ittee; f.
A. Thomas OF San Diego, member of the
administration committee of the State
Silver Republican party for the Seventh
Congressional District; Sutherland Hut
ton, mem ber of the same committee for
the Sixth Congressional District; ".
K. Burke, delegate to the Chicago
convention last year; Nat an Cole
Jr. member OF the Silver Re-
publican National Committee; NJ. P.
Snyder, Democratic Mayor OF Los Angeles; !;
c. o. Hawley, secretary OF the Popuist
County Committee. ana other representa-
tAfNo VI bAiC thiCO pOLlIiSdl DdIltcSs Deud-
tor White was the guest of honor.
1t is asserted that the occasion was
purely informal. and that the meeting
OF those represer tative men of
three political elements which
it is desired to bring together
under one banner was not delibera teiy
planned to discuss the proposition Of
fusion. Nevertheless the subject was
practically the sole topic of discussion
and at the same time Senator White took
occasion to make a declaration IN which
he went further TO state his own inten-
tions as to his Senatorial candidacy than
he has yet done.
National Committeeman Cole presided,
and Senator White, at The conclusion OF
the repast, made one of his clever after
dinner speeches The Senator opened
with few plimentary words for the
Silver Republican Club and the work
which 1t had accom- plished in the CAM
paign last year. Then he threw ont a
line to the Populists and congratulated
them on the tact and good jud ement dis
played by them last year IN com biDinc
with the Democrats.
The Senator proceeded 10 state his posi-
tion as 4 Democrat as TO what was the
proper thing To DO to prepare for the
campaign of 1898, when, in a great
measure. he SAID, the issues would be
practically the same between the Demo-
cratic ano Republican parties as had been
the dividing line in 1896.
The sensible and reasonable course to
pursue, the Senator thought was for all
men OF practically the same opinions to
unite their forces and present solid line
to the opposition. This, he said. should
be brought about by an honorable agree
ment, and he had not the slightest doubt
that ii could be done.
This remark brought forth approval
from the assem- bled guests, who had been
close listeners TO The Senator's words.
he Democrats present were even more
voclferous in their applause than the
Silver Repn blicans and Populists.
Senator White talked on the advantages
that would result from union of forces.
de carefully avoided mention of the word
silver. leaving that TO be inferred.
There was out one Interpretation to be
given. however, to his words and that
was that he hoped for a union of the
silver forces in the State under the banner
Of Democracv
The Senator closed with the remark that
his own political am billions had nothing
to do with the judgment he had arrived at
as 10 fusion. This was taken as a state
ment that he had decided to seek re-elec-
ton to the Senate. Amid great applause
he resumed his seat.
w. F. Burke followed Senator White
ana, talking in the same vein, outlined
more fully the plan for fusion. He said
that he thought all good Dem ocrats would
be willing to make any reasonable sacri-
hce TO secure fusion in 1898 He advanced
the proposition that in the past men had
been nominated on the Democratic ticket
In county and State as stool pigeons 10 be
Knocked down by Republicans.
In the future this should not be, and in
lieu thereof Burke said the Democrats
conid better accord 10 their allies two
thirds OF the places on the county and
State tickets-one- third of the places to
the Silver Republicans and one-third TO
the Populists. This suggestion did not
NEE; with that hearty approval that had
been foDdiy hoped for; still none of the
guests said anything against it.
Milton Carlson stated that the Populists
were willing TO meet the Democrats more
than half way. DR.. Hill, Mayor Snider
and Frank James, speaking as Democrats,
agreed that without fusion and thorough
organization Democratic success was i'm
possible.
Before the party broke up it was in
formally agreed that another meeting
should be held within three weeks. when
more definite course of action will be
agreed upon 10 bring some reluci ant Pop
uilsts and Democrats into line on the
fusion proposition.
Among the rank and file of the Democ-
racy here there is most violent opposition
to fusion with Populists, but Senator
White has absolute control OF his. party,
and his wishes will doubtless be re-
spected.