The herald., 1898-04-17
The FUSION OF FORCES
FORESHADOWED BY ACTION OF
DEMOCRATS
The State Central Committee Meets ia
Talk Over Plans of the Fall
Campaign

| SAN FRANCISCO, April 1.-THE
Democratic State Central Committee has
| been in session today with good at
| tendance of members. Governor Budd
and Mayor Phelan both were present.
A large number of politicians and others
| interested in the location of the next
State Convention were also in attend
ance. The committee suspended the
rule that non-members could not hold
proxies, and all holders of proxies were
allowed to vote them at this meeting.
The resolution to appoint five members
to take charge of matters growing out
of the primary election law was rescind-
ed, as the Supreme Court had disposed
of the matter.
Chairman Afford announced as the
Committee of Seven to take charge of
the campaign up to the next election:
Robert NJ. Fitzgerald, Frank H. Gould,
Jas. H. Budd, Eugene N. Deuprey, Gavin
McNab, B. NJ. Maddux and c. NJ. Cassin.
John w. Mitchell offered a resolution
providing that time and place of holding
the next State convention be decided at
a special meeting of the committee, to be
called at some future time by the chair,
so that all cities interested can send
representatives to urge their claims and
that committee of five be appointed
to confer with the representatives of the
Populist and Silver Republican parties
with a view to concerted action. Sem
ator Ostrom favored the motion because
it looked like concerted action and con-
sequent success. NJ. c. Hassett found
many objections to it, because he con-
sidered it detrimental to party interests
to confer with any other party on mat
ters relating to a Democratic conven-
tion. Governor Budd declared that the
Democratic party had not won an cleo
tion in twenty years by majority, but
merely by a plurality gained by the help
of independent Republicans and others.
The Chairman called Senator Ostrom
to the chair and spoke in favor of the
resolution. He said it had no reference
to fusion, but merely opened the doors
so that the State Committee could fol-
low any suggestions that might come
from the National Committee.
NJ. Hassett called Governor Budd's at
tention to the fact that he would never
have been Governor, if the Populist
party had not drawn more Republican
than Democrats.
The resolution was adopted by close
vote.
F. II. Gould offered a resolution that tho
basis of representation to the next state
conveGtiou be one at large from each coun-
~ and one for each 200 votes or majority
portion cast for W. ]. Bryan at the last
election.
Mr.. Magee offered resolution for the
appoin ment of a committee of seven 20
investigate the condition of the San Fran
cisco Democracy and report at the next
meeting. This threatened TO precip!tate a
,ong and acrimonious discussion, so a re-
cess was taken.
When the committee reconvened the Nc
Gee resolution was taken up. Gov. Budd
thought the matter should be referred to
the committee of seven already appointed.
Maj. Harney said such a course would suit
him. and an amendment to the MCGEE res
o,ut!on TO that end was carried.
The last Saturday in May was fixed as
the date of the next regular meeting of the
committee, which then adjourned.