The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-22
BURNS WORKS ONLY
WHEN UNDER COVER

CALL HEADQUARTERS, SACRA-
MENTO, Jan. 21.-The forlorn hope of
bringing about a Republican Senatorial
caucus is the only thing Colonel Daniel
M. Burns is now holding out to his TWEEN
ty-siX supporters as reason why he will
win the toga. The Burns touts have been
working all day to see if caucus is not
a possibility, but they received no en-
couragement from any source other than
among the colonel's own legislative fol-
lowing. The Burns men are not circu-
lating any petition for a caucus. They
know that such a paper at this time
would be absolutely devoid of any results
and that, furthermore, it would expose
their hand. Whatever the Burns people
do to assist the candidacy of the colonel
must be done under cover, for this rea
son: The moment the opposition forces
hear of it they will be on their guard
and ready to oppose it.
The colonel, who is naturally secreuve,
endeavors to cover all of his moves by
having them apparently come from his
caucus the colonel is having his touts
and those who are close to him sound
members of the Legislature on the propo:.
sition. If any announcement is received
at all petition will be placed In ctrcula-
ton Monday. If Colonel Burns waits until
he receives encouragement from Repub-
lican members before he starts out to Sc
cure signatures to caucus petition he
will still be waiting at the end of the
session If the sentiment continues as it
is now.
The Grant people are the parties on
whom the Burns touts are directing their
special efforts in this caucus matter:
They seem to think that If they can get
the supporters of the San Diego man to
agree to hold one, then their sailing will
be clear.
delegation of Burns forces called at
Grants headquarters to-day and dwelt
upon the fact that Mr.; Grant was not
being benefited BY the developments
their Judgment, and they regretted very
much that the facts thus. far developed
might place him in an unfavorable light
before the people.
Colonel Burns representatives went on
to say that the best way to close the
matter up was to put an end to the in
from the committee and put an end to
the whole matter.
publican caucus would. soon settle the
whole Senatorial squabble which was
threatening to disrupt the Republican
party, and insisted that a caucus was the
wise thing for all concerned. They as
serted that inasmuch as Mr.. Grant had
twenty eight votes, the highest number
had no reason, to fear q caucus, but on
the other hand they said that they were
inclined to think it might help Grant.
The Grant managers, and more partic-
caught by any such twaddle as this.
They brought the interview to an. early
close Win the statement IHaI DIS IdI do
they were concerned they did not pro-
pose to advise any Of their legislative
supporters to enter any Republican eau
Gus to. settle the Senatorship now OF al
any future time.
The Barnes and the Bulla men are as
firm tonight as they ever were, and the
Burns followers are correspondingly glum.
Their caucus schemes have all come 10
naught. Colonel Burns will remain over
until the next joint ballot of Monday. The
colonel stated tonight ''he felt as fresh as
a daisy" and certainly looked it. The fight
which has been on for three weeks has
apparently not worn on him at all. He
directs every move his people make indi-
vidually, but the strain has not affected
him in the slightest degree.