The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-01


yades the atmosphere of the Burns cor
raj.
But il was too late. All who heard
knew that Shortridge echoed the senu-
ments of his master, and that IN ms
Santa Claran simplicity he had failed
to conceal what a wiser politician
would have known would prove 1nJu-
rious to his own cause. The meaning
of it all was as plain as the handWrit-
ing on the wall. 1t amounted to an
open declaration of the fact that Burns
and the railroad intend TO club mem
bers into a caucus and TO hold over
their heads the threat of political
death that has already been promul-
gated through the editorial columns of
the railroads organ, the sacramento
Record Union.
The Burns supporters who attended
the cOnference-and they were present
to man-were brought to realiza-
ton of the fact that Burns is not popu-
lar with the legislators nor with the
people whom the legislators represent.
There is no mistaking the feeling that
prompts a declaration that II would De
better for the State and for the Re
publican party to have no Senator at
all than to have Burns for Senator.
Such a sentiment was uttered in the
conference to-day, and there was every
evidence to support the belief that IT
met with general approval.
After the conference had been called
to order by Chairman Flint, he de-
clared the business in order was the
hearing of suggestions or arguments
from members. There was a painful
silence for several moments, 1t being
apparent that no one cared to open the
ball Then Assemblyman Brown of
San Mateo came TO the rescue by NOV
ing that the conference adjourn sine
die AS this did not seem to meet with
general approval the motion was with
drawn.
Assemblynan Grovel Johnson of Sac
ramento then addressed the conference
in carefully modulated tones. after the
manner of kind father who, more in
sorrow than In anger would reason
with an erring son. He declared that
what was needed is harmony and that
all should meet and talk together with
that object in view.
1T seems to me- he said, that the
best and only way TO arrive at a speedy
and just conclusion of this difficulty is
to go into caucus and select a caucus
nominee. l am willing to vote for any
one that may be selected by a caucus.
1t has been suggested that we go into
caucus where sixty votes shall be re-
quired to govern the action of the eau
Gus. [ am willing TO do that, or l am
willing to go into a caucus where two
thirds Of the members present shall
govern the acts of the whole body. l
am willing to do anything of this kind,
but I think the best plan would be to
have a caucus where say fortythr
votes would govern"
1t was very nicely and very softly
put, but there was no mistak!ng what
was meant. Senator Cutter of Yuba
was one of those who understood for
he replied to Johnson and bitterly de-
nounced the caucus scheme as a plan
% all the wishes 0f the
people and in manner that Will not
be expressive of the will of the ma
jority.
Tt would be better" he declared.
that California should be represented
in the upper house of Congress by but
one Senator than TO send there man
who is opposed by the people of the
State"
1t was at this point that Senator
Shortridge demanded the attention of
the meeting. He hammered the top of
his desk and declared the men who
were opposed TO Burns were towards
and were afraid to vote for the rail-
road candidate because of fear of the
"libelous press"
I'VE will have a caucus" he shouted,
and we will elect Senator.
What do you mean by saying that
YOU will have a caucus and elect a
Senator?" interrupted Assemblyman
Melick
L mean what 1 say"
DO YOU mean that you are going 10
nominate and elect Senator your
self"
I mean what 1 say" again replied
Shortridge, and Mr. Meliek gave it up
without having plumbed the we'll of The
eloquent Senator's meaning.
Shortridge closed his most remark
able address with the remarkable
statement that it was Burns who
elected Henry T. Gage Governor There
are some thousands OF Republicans
throughout the State who have up to
the present time been congratulating
themselves with the thought that they
had some part in Cages election 1t
remained for the Senator from Santa
Clara to disabuse their minds and
throw the blame where it belongs.
Senator Davis of Amador had word
to say to Shortridge that would have
made that gentleman feel uncomfort-
able if it were possible to ruftie the
Shortridge complacency.
You have exposed your hand" said
Davis, and we now know what you
are here for. 1t appears that you in
tend to use this conference to further
your scheme for secret caucus and
elect to the United States Senate
man who is obnoxious to the people of
the State. / repeat that you have
shown your hand. You call us cow
ards because we dare to vote as our
consciences dictate and as all honest
men should vote. We vote as we
do because we want to save the Re-
publican party the disgrace Of sending
to the United States Senate man who
Is not wanted by the people of the
State. The gentlemen on the other
side"
Il object to your including all of us
when you are referring to what Senator
Shortridge has said" interrupted John
son. I'VE do not indorse what Senator
Shortridge has said, and when ! say
so I believe that speak for a majority
of those who are voting for Colonel
Burns"
Very WELL" replied Davis, not dis
turbed in the least by the interruption
that was intended to cover up the bad
break that had been made by the mem
Der from the prune district. "All the
other candidates have expressed a will
ingness to withdraw if by doing so
the present situation would be re-
lieved."
so has Colonel Burns" declared
Johnson.
eff so have never heard of it, and /
get it now for the first time without au-
thority Is there any gentleman here