The herald., 1898-07-22
fOR MISSTATfMfNTs
Du111ENcE OF OPINION ON THE
FUSION QUESTION
WHETHER J. W. SERVED OR NO
The Doughty Democrat vindicates His
Actions at Sacramento-Served
on the Committee

from tho north. where he had been doing
politics. and was found in very agrees
i've state of mind. He was angry and he
knew just why and at whom. and did not
hesitate to express himself plainly. What
he has had to say, and the evidence he
brings to bear on his subject. is given in
detail In his own picturesque language
herewith. His object of dislike is Judge
NOonan Phillips, the burly free silver ad-
vocate, whose voice is as big as his person.
and who apparently is well qualified to
take care of himself in such an exciting
controversy as that into which he has.
precipitated himself.
The trouble all arose over an interview
which reporter for The Herald had with
Mr.. Phillips when he returned from Sac
ramento. and in which he said consider
able about Mr.. Mitchell's alleged turn
down as a member Of the Democratic fu-
sion committee. the Judge saying that, as
the Silver Republicans refused to have
anything to do with him, he was not per-
mitted to take part in any of the con-
ferences which were attended by the
speaker. Judge Phillips also spoke some
what depreciatingly Of Mr.. Mitchelrs
standing as Democrat, and ascribed to
him that position which many men are
charged with possessing. and many would
hike to have, that of being on the Southern
Pacific payroll, of being against fusion
and an enemy Of Mcguire.
Mr. Mitchell has plenty of enemies and of
friends, and both will agree. particularly
the former, that he is not the man to sit
tamely down and allow any sort Of a
charge affecting him to go without an
answer. and his response is not one that
turneth away wrath, either. for the more
trouble under such circumstances, the
more Mr.. Mitchell is pleased. He asserts
positively that he served on the fusion
committee. taking part in all of its pro-
ceedings, and was sustained throughout
By his committee.
II have just returned from San Fran
cisco today" he said. having been de-
tanned there on legal business I have
not been in the city very long. but long
enough to ascertain that there has been
lots OF Misrepresentation going on with
reference to the political situation north
generally. and myself in particular.
with special reference to the action of
the Populist convention at Sacramento.
and its effects upon the Democratic party
and the nominees Of the approaching con-
vention, the plain, unvarnished facts are
these: At the meeting of the Democratic
state central committee on July 13, 1t was
represented by the chairman that the Pop
ulists, then in session at Sacramento, de-
sired q consultation with the representa-
tives Of the Democratic committee IN be-
half Of the union or fusion ticket, and they
desired q committee appointed to come to
Sacramento and confer with the commit
tee appointed by the Populist convention.
Upon motion of Governor Budd. COM
mittee consisting Of five members Of the
fusion committee, of which l was chair
man, and the nine members Of the commit
tee on the welfare of the party, were unan-
imously selected by the conference COM
mittee. At the same time resolution in
structing the committee was adopted as
follows:
provided however. that the com,
not In any case be empowered to au-
thorize or agree to a nomination by the
Populist convention being held in sac
that il may be agreed or understood
shall be Allied by the Democracy. but
that all offices that are to be hlied by the
shall Pe f5e state
convention.
.aThe committee of conference met at the
California hotel Immediately after the ad-
1ournment of the whole committee, and, on
nv motion, selected Mr.. Afford as the
chairman Of the committee, and was re-
uuested to act as secretary. I was Ill at
the time, and did not intend to go to Sacra-
mento, but the members Of the committee
insisted on my going, so I Joined all that
could 60, and we left for Sacramento that
Afternoon.
1--WE arrived there in the evening, but
found that the Populist convention had adj
5ourned without appointing committee to
confer with us and would not meet until
the next day. About 10 o'clock that night
our committee, which consisted then of
seven, as the rest could not attend, was
having a consultation, when Mr.. Afford
was called out. He returned soon, and an
nounced that Wardell, claiming to repre-
sent the Populists, and ]. Noonan Phillips.
claiming to represent the Silver Republic
ans. protested against my being member
o. the conference. They claimed to object
to me because Of my rulings as the chair
man Of previous conference, and that
was under railroad influence. The mem
bers Of my committee stood behind me
unanimously. like a stone wall, and they
were all incensed at this action. A COM
mittee was appointed to go and inform the
parties that the Democratic committee
then consisted Of seven persons; that Mr.
Mitchell was one of them; that he had been
appointed by the State committee; that
they had perfect confidence in his DEM
eeracy and his good faith, and that neither
~ railroad nor any one else dictated his
political action. and unless the conference
mas With the whole committee, including
NJ. Mitchell, there would be no confer.
800.
The next day the Populist convention
0oDoin<ed seven Of their party from the
GfNen congregational districts to confer
W1<h 10, and arranged the time ana place
~ our mseting; attended every conference
1llat Was held, and was treated with every
6coEtesy ana consideration. No gentleman
op<ed IL the slightest and no gentleman
~ have objected in the frst place.
L ~ u the Silver Republicans, We were
<s9re 10 onsult with them. and they
~ have gotten into the conference
& NJ - that NJ. Trask. representing
IA ~ - or conmittee. after con-
IN ~ ana aslking ne not to OBJ
= : molten to allow NJ. Cole to