The San Francisco call., 1905-01-10
RUFF CALLS
FOLLOWERS
TO A CAUCUS
Tells Faithful Ones
What He Wants
of Them.
Henchmen tOAWait
Orders From the
Leader.
speclal Dispatch to Tns cam.

| SACRAMENTO, Jan. 9.-Abe Ruef ar
rived from San Francisco tonight and
| for half an hour the streets gave back
! the echo of scurrying feet. Messengers
| were rounding up the faithful, and it
| was not long before all Sacramento
| knew it. Men whose acquaintance
| Ruef has hardly enjoyed wrung his
| hand with the warmth of admiration
and hope. And their affection even
! increased when they watched him
march away to his rooms at 523 X
street with no less than fourteen good
/ Senatorial votes proud to follow in his
| trail.
| The word went out that Ruef had ar
rived and that "doings' were at hand
Candidates stood back and longingly
watched the San Francisco dictator
| lead his followers to his place of seclu-
sion that they might lend him their
| ears But before requesting the loan
Ruef decided to count noses to see
| whether all were on hand to hearken to
his wisdom. The rollcall disclosed the
| presence of Senators Harry tBunkers,
George B. Keane, Frank A Markey
and John H. Nelson, while the lower
house was represented by Marc An
! thod1y. Thomas E. Atkinson, Samuel H.
Beckett, John A. Cullen, Gus Hartman,
Fred ]. Meincke. William ]. Mindham,
Fred v. Severance, Louis Stroll and
Mel Vogel.
Here We're fourteen Of the good and
faithful, but Ruef was informed that
five more San Franciscans would be on
hand at the next caucus and that two
more could not be found, but could be
counted among the loyal and as vet
uDdefiected owners of Senatorial votes.
Then Ruef borrowed the ears of his
little group. He said he had learned
with pleasure of the desire of the San
Francisco delegation to give him it's
complimentary vote, but that he did
not desire 1t to take such action. He
said he was in the fight and that such
action could nave no effect other than
to reflect honor upon him, but he would
| accept the spirit for the deed in order
tc facilitate matters and speed the con-
test to conclusion. He was not pre-
pared, however, to suggest which of
the several candidates enjoyed his
favor; this matter would be determined
later.
The caucus then discussed the mode
of procedure to be followed by it in
the contest that goes to ballot to-mor-
/ row. 1t was agreed that throughout
the contest the legislators pres
ent. should stand as unit
ana vote as the word was
given them. This decision doubtless
ly will further increase the affection
of the candidates for Ruef and his un-
swerving delegation.
Tomorrow morning at 10 Ruef will
again meet with his delegation, at
which time candidate will be select
ed to bear up under the weight of its
first ballot 1t is said J.. o. Hayes
of San Jose will receive this first honor
and may continue to receive 1t until
the crucial hour arrives. Then it's
whole strength will be thrown to the
proper one, and out from among the
cheers a. new United States Senator
will arise.
At a late hour Ruef was surrounded
with members of the Legislature and
outside supporters of several Sena-
torial aspirants. He said to a Call
reporter that the logic of the situation
favored a Senator from the south and
as Herrin has given orders that Bard
must not be considered, it Is inter-
preted that Flint or some other south
erner will get the prize. To State
Senator Ruef spoke of the RESPONSE
bility attaching to the duty of passing
cut the gold brick to either Flint or
knight.
1t is said that the San Francisco
delegation is now in a position to de-
eide the issue. The claim is made that
Senator Bauer, who came out for Flint
yesterday. will act with the city dele
CATION.