The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-15

CALL HEADQUARTERS, SACRA-
MENTO, Feb. 14-Dan Burns and the
railroad, having made an attempt to force
the legislators into Senatorial caucus for
the benefit of the Mexican, are now forced
to stand by and be witnesses to their own
impotency. Not only have a majority OF
the legislators refused to obey the orders
of the corporation and the corporaSon's
candidate, but they are so little intiml-
dated by the threats that have been made
that they now. come out openly and are
putting themselves on record as being OPP
posed to the Burns scheme for a caucus.
Some Of the members of the Legislature
who have been interviewed on the subject
feel natural delicacy about expressing
themselves in set terms regarding the
scheme Burns has attempted to work in
order to get them in a position where he
may force them to cast their votes for.
him. These members refrain from men
tioning Burns name in connection with
their expressed opposition to a caucus,
but they make their meaning clear by
saying they will never consent to a cau-
Gus as long as present conditions exist.
By present conditions" is meant Burns
presence in the field as a Senatorial can
didate. 49,
These legislators, as we'll as those who
openly denounce: Burns, appreciate the
fact that the great majority of the people
of the State are of the belief that the
election of Burns. to the United States
Senate would be public calamity
Knowing this. to be true, they take the:
position that it is their duty to. oppose by.
every means within their power every:
scheme: that is set on foot by the railroad
company and by interested individuals to
bring about Burns election. 49,
r Realizing that the effort of the railroad
company TO force a caucus is a move
purely in the interest of Burns candf-
dacy, the honest members of: the Legis-
lature are opposing it and are making no
secret of their opposition.
Yesterday The Call published interviews
with a large number of legislators who
openly expressed themselves as being OPP.
posed to a, caucus. Many Others who are
of similar way of thinking have made
statements for publication, and their in
teryiews.; are given herewith: ~
Assemblyman g. NJ. Belshaw-I am ut.
terly opposed to secret caucus. l would
be willing to go into a conference where
the merits of the situation could be- dis.
cussed without binding any one, tut as.
for a caucus will not agree to go into:
one. $780, -,
Assemblyman F. E. Dunlap am not in
favor of a, caucus and will not go into one
so long: as the conditions remain as. they
are at present. You may quote me as say.
ing that 1 am opposed to caucus. :>..:-.
Senator j. N. .Gilrette-The interests of
the people. OF the State are at stake in
this matter, and for that reason, If for
no other, am opposed to a caucus. l VIII
not go into "a caucus. at this time, and L
am not prepared to say that L will go into
one at any time during the session..
Senator j. F. Dayis-At the present
time and under the present circumstances
l am opposed to caucus and Will not
present is such that | could not serve
my own wishes and those of my constitu-
ents by agreeing to caucus.
,AsSenblyman L. r. Works. do not
wish to express myself on the caucus
question at this time, but 1 will say that
1 do not think there will be a caucus.
Senator j. J. Luchsinger-At present l
am not in favor of a caucus, and in We
of the present situation will not go into
Sc Senator D. II. Trout will never go
into a secret caucus. l might consider
an open caucus, a gathering of Repub-
licans for public consideration of the
candidates for Senator, but l am opposed
Assemblyman j. A. Bliss-I am willing
to go into a general caucus; but will
absolutely refuse to go into "a secret
caucus.
Assemblyman William Mcdonald do
not propose to go into any caucus, for
do not see that anything more can be
done than is being done on the floor of the
Senator A. E. Nutt-You can quote me
as being opposed to a secret caucus Of
the Republican members of the Legisla-
ture.
Senator ]. ]. Boyce-I will not say for
publication how 1 stand on the caucus
Senator A. T.. Currier-I have not made
up my mind about a caucus. /: will have
to consult with my own people about the
matter before l give any opinion.
Senator w. F. Maggard-I. am opposed to
a caucus, particularly such a one as the
Burns people suggest. have been OPP
posed to it from the first and I will not
go into one.
Senator E. K. Taylor-I certainly will 4
caucus would only result in the election
of either Burns, or Grant. and as. L am
az not wish to see eitbaT ne fba aIatad
Senator Chester Rowell-As,I am voting
for Mr.. Bard, who is an outside man, I
Observation-Disclosures