The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-16
Direct Primary Law VIII
Go Out of Committee
With Support of Majority
CHAIRMAN IN STATE
OF INDIGESTION
Probable Change Of Mind
Offered as a Flimsy Pre-
text for His Evasion
BY Geo. a. Van Smith
CALL HEADQUARTERS.
1907 EIGHTH STREET.

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 15.-Un-
less the enemies OF direct primary
rcform are able to bring some ex-
traordinary pressure to bear. the
Held proposition for a direct
primary election constitutional
amendment will be reported out
of committee for passage in the
assembly and that body viii have
the privilege Of passing the ques-
ton up to the Senate or placing
itself on record as renouncing its
obligation to the people made by
the pledges of the Republican and
Democratic State conventions.
Only one member OF the As
sembly-Wessling. the sole rep
resentative of Hearstism-can
claim immunity from the obliga-
ton OF the platform contracts
with the people Of California. Demo
Gratis and Republicans are alike bound
by those pledges. and all but one mem
Der Of the Assembly on constitutional
amendments, TO which the Held bill
was referred, has definitely promised
10 support such an amendment When
the bill reaches the Senate. as there
Is every reason 10 believe it viii. and
promptly, the real test win come. In
the Senate the bill will be referred to
the committee on elections and cleo
tion laws. There it viii have to run
the gamut Of virtually All the obstruc-
tions that viii be placed in its way.
There it's form may be expected to be
changed, If it is TO be changed; there
Il may be expected 10 languish and die
unless there is decided change of
temper from that now in evidence
BURKE's WEAK STAND
The Assembly committee which has
the Held bill is composed OF Assembly
men Burke. Estudillo. Drew, Wyatt.
Eshleman. Cutten and Forbes. All but
Burke are either positively or con-
oitionally for favorable report on the
bill.
Burke, chairman OF the committee
IS in a most unsatisfactory state of
indecision. He has heard that his
people are strongly in favor of the
enactment of direct primary election
law. He has also heard that the peo-
pie who elected him expect an un-
eouivocal redemption Of the direct
pledge made to them by the Republi-
can party and by Assemblymsn Burke
when he accepted the Republican nom
ination and election at the hands of
Republican voters.
Burke declines TO say that he is for
or against the submission Of con-
stitutional amendment and his refusal
IS based on the ground that he may
later want to change his mind.
Estudillo is for the amendment. His
announcement is sQuaretoed, unequivo-
cal He said yesterday: The framing
OF bill for a direct primary election
law matter that may well claim
the ion Of our lawyers for the
ensu two years. But the submis-
sion 4 an amendment should be done
now. In fact, cannot see how any
Republican can consistently entertain
any other idea We are all bound by
the pledge Of our party platform"
Drew was among the first OF the
Assemblynen TO announce his willing
ness to redeem sis party pledge and
10 announce souarely that he would
y ote for the submission Of constitu-
tionaI amendment. Beyond the sub
mission Of such an amendment Drew