Amador ledger., 1908-10-23
CAMINETTI HAD A
STRENUOUS TIME.
Tried to Make Political Capital Out
OF iAslatic Exclusion League,
And Was Called Down.

|
the district comprising Amador, El
Dorado, Calaveras, Alpine and Mono,
had lively time in San Francisco
on Sunday afternoon last. A meet
ing OF the Asiatic exclusion league
was being held. This league is
nonpartisan organization for the pur-
pose Of aiding the sentiment of the
exclusion of Asiatics from America.
Its embers are made up from all
parties. Party politics are tabooed
ut its meetings. No political party
this country. At the meeting Sun
day A. o. Tveitmoe, a labor union
official, was chairman. Caminetti
was present. and was invited to
address the assembly, although not a
member of the league. 1t was a
courtesy extended to a visitor, and
he was expected to give a history OF
the Chinese and Japanese exclusion
question, from strictly nonpartisan
standpoint. But he is too much of a
partisan to keep in any such path.
In brief space he was launching into
a furious TRADE against the repu bill
can Larty, and its candidates, en-
deavoring to create a sentiment so as
to commit the mem bers to the demo-
cratic presidential ticket. As soon
as it was apparent what he was after,
there we're loud and persistent howIs
of protest and dissent. The chair
man, who was in sympathy with the
movement to land the league in the
democratic camp, refused to heed the
protest, and let Caminetti proceed
with his illadvised harangue. at
the close of his address Andrew
tureseth, another labor agitator,
introduced the following resolution:
"Ihat the Asiatic exclusion league
urge upon the people of this coast
and elsewhere to vote in this election
for the dem ocratic nominees.
tureseth and others on the inside
urged immediate action. There was
a stormy time, Caminetti falling heir
to some very uncompllmentary re-
marks for his conduct.
q. b. Benham answered Caminetti,
declaring that. like most democrats,
he had made great deal of noise at
an inopportune moment, and by talk =
ing until the meeting was ready to
adjourn had hoped to win his point
without being answered. Benham
then took up Caminettis speech and
proceeded to tear it to shreds.
The proposition OF converting the
league iuto a propaganda for Bryan
failed. Action OH the resolution be-
ing postponed until the following
Sunday.
Such attempts to swing voters for
democracy onIy hurt the cause they
are intended to help, and the ad-
vocates of such proceedings lower
themselves in public opinion by pur-
suing such tactics. 1t Is very impro-
bable that the resolution will pass
after the lime-light has been turned
full upon the subject. 1t was a
boldly conceived scheme, of doubtful
value in any event. Even success in
passing the motion would doubtless
havesdeteated it's object, and landed
more voters for Taft than for Bryan.
The Chronicles account of the
session says:
James II. GIahame, the statistlcian
of the league, was upon his feet,
hurting the lie at Caminetti. Before
rveltmoe was able to restore order
Grahame had denounced Caminetti
repeatedly as willful and maIiclous
liar, and the meeting was in an up
roar, during which one woman dele
gate and several men hurrledly left
the hall.
When order was restored CaminettI
resumed, in a milder tone, and tried
to justify his attacks upon men and
measures. lie was permitted to con
cIude his address. When he stopped
talking Secretary Yoell asked CamI-
netti some embarrassing questions as
to his action in relation TO exclusion
legislation.
Caminetti tried to eXtricate himself
from his predicament, when Grahame
obtained the floor and asked some
more pointed questions, which COM
pletely cornered CamInetti.
When Grahame desisted other dele
gatesIhad questions to ask of the dis
oomfted senator, who was wiggling
like an eel.
Instead of replying to the questions