The San Francisco call., 1904-06-13
PARTY STRIFE
NOW SETTLED
Threatened Contest for
Assembly Nomination in
Contra Costa Avoided
MILNES WILL NOT RUN
Editor Publishes a State
ment of His Position and
Leaves the Field Clear
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
10l6 Broadway, June u.


I0l6 Broadway, June u.
The political troubles that have
threatened to rend the Republican
party in Contra Costa County have all
been settled, and peace and harmony
reign. Ii all grew out Of a possible
rivalry for the Republican nomination
for the Assembly between Harry Els,
the present AssemblYman from that
county, and @. L. Mines. Mr.. Mines
has come out in a signed statement in
his own papers and announces, in
straightforward way. that he will not
be a candidate for the place, but viii
support Mr.. ELS.
Contra Costa County has the
Twenty second Assembly District all
10 itself. II does not have 10 share the
Assembly District with any other coun-
~ as il does the Senatorial District
and consequently the contests for the
various party nominations are more
often tinctured with local affairs than
with affairs from the outside So IT
was in this case.
Mr.. ELS comes from Siege, which is
the first town over the Alameda Coun-
" line. and therefore is the very last
town in the extreme southwestern part
Of the county. He defeated William F.
Belding Of san Pablo. the Democratic
y
OF 67s votes. Mr.. Mines is the editor
and proprietor Of the Contra Costa
Gazette, published at Martinez, the
county seat. and one Of the influential
interior papers Of the State. He also
owns the Point Richmond Leader, a
morning daily in the thriving terminus
town. He has always been a stanch
Republican. and has done much TO keep
Contra Costa County in the Repubh-
can line when it threatened TO break
away over Union Laborism.
And 50 il happened that many Re
publicans thought that Mr.. Mines
should be rewarded with a nomination
for the Assembly. He never said that
he wanted 10 be a candidate. but while
he waited his friends worked Up quite
a boom for him. Then Harry ELS
came out fatty and announced his can
didacy for a second term, and for
while il looked as if there might be
fight in the Republican party Of that
section that would rend the OrganiZa-
tion. Mr.. Mines has settled the whole
thing with a statement as follows:
Some few months ago my name was being
talked by friends a candidate for the As
sembly. A number Of them came 10 me and
urged that ] enter the contest, at that time
there being no other aspirant for the position.
] informed them that I would consider the
matter but at no time did 1 agree 10 become
Since then the people of the western end Of
the county. including the towns Of Richmond
and Stege, have asked that Mr.. Els make
other run and serve a second term in the AS
sembly, believing that he will be Of still
greater value TO the people Of the county in
his second term than in the first Il is gener-
ally conceded by every one that a member OF
the State Legislature increases in value TO his
constituents by each additional term he serves.
Il is my firm opinion that each section OF
the county IL entitled 10 recognition. and if the
people Of the western end want Mr.. Els their
request should be granted by the Republicans.
The best interest Of the party should always be
looked at; this is the only way these matters
should be considered.
Further desire to state that under no cir
eumstances will / be q candidate for the AS
sefnbly before the Republican county conven-
ton. Mr.. Els has served with credit and dis
tinction, not only 10 himself but the people he
represents, and the people Of Richmond
claim Mr.. Els their representative they
should have him.
The interests Of the Republican party are
paramount 10 any personal interests or de-
sires, and viii support Mr.. Ellis for the posi-
tlon ne seeks. 9. F. MILNES.