The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-22
Mr.. Burke Responds


proper expression Of their views.1
Mr.. Burke Responds
To the Editor Of the Los Angeles Herald
observe in today's issue of The Herald
a statement from l. B. Dockwelier, to-
gether with other statements, attempting
to explain his position at the Sacramento
convention. He says that promised IN
my office to support him for chairman of
the state convention over George Patton
the day after the county convention, but
did not keep my promise. I desire to
brand that statement as willfully and ma
liciously untrue, as at no time did promise
TO support Mr.. Dockweller, but gave him
to understand that not only would I OPP
pose him and support Patton, but that II
he would look at the situation and con-
slider It fairly all the way through he would
not be candidate.
1t is true Mr.. Dockweiler came to my Of
flee the day after the county convention
and brought up the craftsmanship, saying
he felt sure George Patton would not be a
candidate, as the only thing about 1t was
an announcement from DIR. Hill, and then
he opened out in behalf Of himself. re-
piled that II he consulted his best Interests
he would not enter the race-that there was
a report out that he wanted too much; be-
sides, it would not do to divide our forces.
then looked on Dockweiler as in the
movement against the railroad-push ele-
ment-indeed, that was the general senti-
ment. Then 1t was Mr.. Dockweiler re-
marked that he desired the craftsmanship
as stepping stone to his nomination and
election as district attorney. He stated
that Mr.. Jones, his only opponent at that
time, he was able to say, would not be a
candidate, as he had concluded to enter
the race for the city attorneyship. Upon
this I replied that could see no reason
why I should not support him for the dis
trict attorneyship IL that position should
be awarded the Democratic party in the
fusion arrangement. took occasion at
that time to inform Mr.. Dockweiler that 1
had heard from DR.. Hill and others that
opposed to him personally. and wanted
him to understand that such was not the
case-that is to say, that had a personal
feeling against him.
When Mr.. Dockweiler remarked that ne
did not think Mr.. Patton would be can
didate I replied: IF such should be the
case we should leave the whole matter
open, and so far as Los Angeles county is
concerned submit the name of a candidate
from those opposed to the railroad push
combination" This was necessary, not
only on account OF our local movement,
which was of more Importance than any
one man. but the San Francisco situation
was affected also-indeed, was insepa rab!y
associated with our cause. That being so,
our choice must not only be opposed to the
railroad push in Los Angeles. but must
stand for the committee Of one hundred
Of San Francisco.
The next day I saw Mr.. Dockweiler in
front of the Wilcox block engaged in con-
versation with r. Bilderrain and several
others. called him to one side and
opened up the subject Of tho craftsmanship
Of the convention. By that time it was
generally known that the railroad element
was actively engaged In promoting his can
dfdacy I spoke plainly, and said that no
man who valued our efforts to make the
Democratic party better and stronger could
support him-that he was being used
in the interest Of a crowd that wouli
pick up anybody to defeat Patton; that
he could not AFFORD to thus appear,
ana that his election as chairman of
the state convention would revive the push
element already three-fourths DESTROYED,
and perhaps paralyze the movement to
place the Democracy on a higher and a
better grade. To this Mr.. Dockweiler re-
piled, implying that I was supporting Mr.
Patton because he was a southern man.
I quickly retorted that that did not enter
Into the case; that we had had some de-
plorable incidents in recent Los Angeles
history chargable to southern men as well
as to northern men, eastern men and
western men; that 1t was not right to at
tempt to raise sectional issue, and while
there were some features in Mr.. Patton
that might be improved on in the line of
political management, he should be elected
chairman of the state convention.
Further, that If Mr.. Dockweiler secured
an election by the push-railroad support he
would not only seriously injure the work
already, begun, but would be under obliga-
.tions to that element and their recognition
by him and appointment on committees
must follow. To this Mr.. Dockweiler re-
sponded that the votes of the people I re-
ferred to were as good as those of any one
else. He then turned around very much
excited, saying that George Patton had no
right to want the earth and that ought
not to speak to him as I did, appearing to
be very much offended. again informed
him that he was doing himself a great
wrong-that no matter what he might say,
no true friend could support him at that
time. Mr. pockweiler at this quickly left
me. evidently very angry. This occurred
Friday after the Democratic county con-
vention and communicated the same to
several gentlemen, including Judge A. NJ
Stephens. Daniel Neuhart and Frank
Cooper the same day. The mkt day, Satur-
day. communicated the same to George s.
Patton.
I was informed by Mr.. Joseph simons
while in Sacramento that he had gone to
Dockweiler, having heard that M. w.
Conkling was being supported by Dock
weller for member of the state central
committee, and protested in the name Of
decency against such action. as Conkling
was not only unfit In general. was up to
his neck in the railroad push movement
and was known to Dockweiler as intimately
connected with McCaffery in the pass
procuring business. Dockweiler replied
that he was supporting Conkling because