The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-05-17

Yours of May y came to hand while leaving
town Saturday, hence the delay in answering
the same.
l was much pleased to receive. directly from
your own hand, such a gratifying evidence OF
your intentions as well your feeling toward
the citizens of Santa Barbara. Your letter is
an abundant proof TO my mind OF your eminent
ability to manage the vast trust in your keep
ing. However you may feel inclined in the
matter. / hold myself absolutely responsible
for my own utterances.
l beg to undeceive you, If in your judgment
1t is somewhat evident that in the case in
point spoke before l thought. for l can assure
you that my letter was the result of close
sense irritated nor do l consider that passed
a hasty or unjust judgment upon your mo-
tives.
l now again. in my camest and most de-
liberate manner, beg to assure you that have
no regrets for my conduct. | do however,
differ from you in thinking 1t matters little to
you or to the citizens of Santa Barbara whether
1 spoke before l thought or through irritation
passed hasty and unjust judgment upon you
or your motives. Ny later observations in life
have led me to respect the opinions of all good
II was only with the belief in these prin-
ciples that ! took upon myself the burden of
publicly addressing one whose public position
alone made nv presumption endurabie NV
letter of May has had the effect which l
desired. and that is to arouse public attention
to the subject and infuse eXhilarating vital
ity into the usually placid serenity of Santa
Barbara and her citizens. Having accomplished
that purpose, / have done For you must
recognize that l enter into a newspaper con-
troversy with one like yourself very I'M
even terms. Your various bureaus and depart
ments place you instantly in possession of a
mass of details which can rarely be matched
by me- With untring effort you have only
to touch the button and they do the rest, -
while / must personally exploit and delve If
| would reach the bottom of such a compca-
ton You at the head Of a great corpora
operate railroads. having separate departments,
some of which, through the public press seek
to and 10 mold public opinion and alas, too
frequently, by active interference in political
affairs. seek to elect, control and command
fhnC.a lln la fIa lou
whose duty 1t Is to expound and execute them.
am simply a country practitioner of the law,
whose engagements prohibit from carry
ing on a protracted discussion outside the lines
of my profession. Having been chosen hy the
citizens of this district to represent them in
sacramento, / have but recently returned from
a field where gained some experience in test
ing gold bricks" and it was under the hon
est belief that these articles were at last be-
ing circulated in Santa Barbara County that
| felt impelled to speak out. If what I said
in my open letter had not the merit of truth
it certainly was unworthy of serious notice
Judging from the terms of your letter, / am
hopeful that you and your associates are ready
to cooperate fully and fairly with the people
of Santa Barbara and others interested alike
with them: This is all that they desire, or
stand, President Huntington, how, after more
than ten years of weary waiting the average
citizen of Santa Barbara has become rritated
upon the topic of railroad building. Their bit
ter experience makes them hold lightly South
Pacific promises.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick" and
ii is not strange that they should feel a dis
appointment in contemplation of another repe-
tition of past experiences. The railroad com
pany best eXpate the record of the past
by honorable conduct in the future. 1t may be
forgiven for having broken it's pledges if it now
indicates its intention to deal Justly by our
citizens. The company best express its
gratitude for favors freely bestowed by meet
owners, who now, in upholding their rights,
require that the railroad should follow the
Biblical maxim DO unto others as We would
they should do unto you
Your agents here have already arranged for
a public symposium, where the pipe of peace
may be smoked in token of amity and reci-
procity. and I trust there will be no occasion
for further discussion difference of opinion.
Very respectfully yours, JOHN ]. BOYCE.