USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 37
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San Luis Obispo maintained its position as the banner Whig county of the State, casting almost a unanimous vote for the candidates of that party, although apparently not influenced by party spirit, as its Member of Assem- bly was a strong Democrat.
For Congress Bowie and Benham received 106 votes; Denver 4, and Herbert 5 votes, the Broderick candidates not any.
William J. Graves was elected to the Assembly from San Luis Obispo. He was opposed to bringing on the election of Senator at this session, but in convention voted, sometimes for Dr. Wm. M. Gwin, and cast several votes for M. S. Latham.
The Legislature was estimated by the San Francisco Herald to contain 33 regular and 10 "bogus " Demo- crats, 35 Whigs, and 2 independent in the Assembly; 13 regular and 13 bogus Democrats, and 7 Whigs in the Senate. There was great rejoicing among the Gwin Democrats, that wing having the majority of the Demo- crats, and Broderick still professing to act in that organi- zation it was believed he would submit to the caucus which would insure the re-election of Doctor Gwin to the United States Senate.
The Legislature met at Sacramento January 1, 1855. In the Assembly W. W. Stow, Whig, was elected Speaker, greatly to the astonishment of the Gwin Democrats. The Legislature met in joint convention early in the session to vote for Senator, and continued from day to day until the last of February when the convention adjourned sine die without an election, by a vote of sixty-three ayes to forty-four nays. On the last of January the vote was: Col. Philip Edwards, Whig, 37; Gwin, 36; Broderick, 31; N. E. Whitesides, Democrat, 13; J. A. McDougall, I; Joseph IV. McCorkle, 7; Vincent E. Geiger, 2; Myron Norton, I.
The action of this convention may be said to have marked an era in the political history of California. The question of slavery, deeply smothered as it was, had a powerful and controlling influence. Under the cloak of Broderickism, anti-chivalry, free-soil, and other names the anti-slavery extension element fought the extreme pro-slavery power, and from this element, in after years, sprang the Republican Party. The great national ques- tion at that time was the extension of slavery into the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The Missouri compromise had been abrogated at the demand of the Southern States, thus admitting slavery into the Terri- tories, and the opposition to this measure so strengthened the opposition to Gwin, as to cause the defeat of the elec- tion at this time. As a personal matter it appeared as a triumph of Broderick, who, powerful as he was in the man- agement of a few steadfast friends, was really exceedingly unpopular throughout the State, and without the feeling of antagonism to slavery extension, which he at that time
ignored, but which influenced many, he would not have had the power to defeat the election.
The Legislature passed amendments to the Constitu- tion to be submitted to the vote of the people at the next election, which provided that the sessions of the Legisla- ture should be biennial, beginning with the session of 1858; and sections to make the Constitution consistent with that change.
San Luis Obispo was ably represented in the Legisla- ture, and several Acts were passed for the county's bene- fit. Among them an Act passed May 5, 1855, legaliz- ing the records of all deeds, mortgages, or other docu- ments of whatever description, which by law were required to be recorded, and which were recorded in the Recorder's office of San Luis Obispo County, in books other than those specified in the "Act concerning County Recorders," passed March 22, 1851.
CAMPAIGN OF 1855.
In the meantime a new political party had entered the field. This was first organized in Baltimore, Maryland, as a secret society, professing its object, as publicly un- derstood, to elevate only native born citizens to office. From this it took the title of "Native American," but from its secret meetings and the reticence of its members as to its object and principles, they were soon dubbed "Know- Nothings," and that became the common name of the party. This organization made itself felt in the campaign of 1854 in San Francisco, and in the municipal election of the succeeding spring elected several of the city offi- cers. Lodges of Native Americans were. organized throughout the State in the spring and summer of 1855, and it entered the campaign with great energy, to contest for the supremacy. The Whigs abandoned the field, the majority, apparently, joining the new party. Many of the leading Southern Democrats, violently opposed to the Broderick rule, also joined, or secretly encouraged the Know-Nothings, and these, with such Americans as were attracted by the watchword of "Americans shall rule America," gave strength to this unique political organiza- tion.
The election of that year included State, Legislative, and county officers. The two Democratic wings had united, with the Broderick leaders in control.
The Democratic State Convention met at Sacramento on the 27th of June, and organized harmoniously. The principal candidates for Governor were Col. B. F. Wash- ington, Milton S. Latham, James Walsh, and Gov. John Bigler. Colonel Washington was the favorite of the "chivalry," and before the assembling of the convention it was understood he would be the nominee. Broderick having control of the Central Committee effected a com- promise by which Washington withdrew, and the under- standing was general that Governor Bigler was also to withdraw, but when names were presented for nomination the Broderick power presented the name of John Bigler, and he became the Democratic candidate for his third term as Governor. This so incensed the friends of Washington that many withdrew from the convention, and others of the party declined nominations at its hand.
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POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY.
Among these were Chief Justice Hugh C. Murray and David S. Terry, who were proposed for the Supreme Court.
The nominations were completed as follows: For Lieutenant-Governor, Samuel Purdy, of San Joaquin; Justices of Supreme Court, Myron Norton, of Los An- geles, full term; Charles H. Bryan of Yuba, unexpired term; Controller, Thomas C. Flournoy, of Mariposa; Treasurer, Benj. F. Keene, of El Dorado; Attorney-Gen- eral, B. C. Whitney, of Monterey; Surveyor-General, Sen- eca H. Marlette, of Calaveras; State Printer, George H. Crosette, of Butte; State Prison Directors, Samuel C. Astin of Placer, WVm. H. Bell, of San Francisco, and C. F. Powell, of San Joaquin.
NATIVE AMERICAN PARTY.
The State Convention met at Sacramento, August 8, 1855, and James W. Coffroth, of Tuolumne, was elected Chairnian. The following nominations were made: For Governor, J. Neely Johnson, of Sacramento; Lieutenant- Governor, R. M. Anderson, of El Dorado; Justices of Supreme Court, Hugh C. Murray, of Solano, full term; David S. Terry, of San Joaquin, unexpired term; Con- troller, George W. Whitman, of Tuolumne; Treasurer, Henry Bates, of Shasta; Attorney-General, W. G. Wal- lace, of Santa Clara; Surveyor-General, John A. Brewster, of Sonoma; State Printer, James Allen, of Yuba; State Prison Directors, Alex Bell, of Los Angeles; F. S. Mc- Kenzie, of Trinity, and Ezekiel Wilson, of San Francisco.
The campaign was short, but active. On the Demo- cratic side were such speakers as Wm. M. Gwin, Wm. Van Voorhies, Governor Bigler, Myron Norton, and others of note; and the Americans sent through the country David S. Terry, James W. Coffroth, Edward C. Marshall.
The election occurred on the 5th of September, resulting in the State in a complete American triumph; the vote being for Governor, Johnson, 51,157; Bigler, 46,220. The other majorities ranged from 3,000 to 800.
The vote of San Luis Obispo was, for Governor, John Bigler, 118; J. Neely Johnson, 45; being the smallest vote of any county in the State.
For State Senator, Pablo de la Guerra, of Santa Bar- bara, 145; Pedro Dominguez, 5, and other candidates 3. In Santa Barbara, De la Guerra received 321 votes, Pedro Dominguez 15, and other candidates for Senator 45 votes.
Manuel Antonio Castro was elected to the Assembly, from San Luis Obispo. The right to the seat was con- tested before the Legislature by Walter Murray, on the grounds that Castro had not received a majority of the votes cast, and that he had not obtained a six months' residence in the county. The Know-Nothings, or American Party, being strongly in the ascendant in the Assembly, and Castro acting with that party, was kept in his seat by them. James T. Farley, present United States Senator, was elected Speaker.
EFFORTS TO ELECT A SENATOR.
The Legislature met in January, 1856. One of the most important questions before it was the election of
United States Senator to succeed Dr. Gwin, whose term had expired on the third of the preceding March. The Americans had a large majority in joint convention, but were tied with the Democrats in the Senate, though one Independent afterwards voted with them. The principal candidates were Ex-Gov. Henry S. Foote, lately from Mississippi, Henry A. Crabb, and Edward C. Marshall. The resolution to go into joint convention was intro- duced in the Assembly, and passed on the 12th of Jan- uary, and transmitted to the Senate. After several post- ponements in that body, on the 22d the resolution to go into joint convention was indefinitely postponed, and that all action on the election of Senator be postponed until January 1, 1857. This was adopted by a vote of nineteen to fourteen. Messrs. Wilson Flint, of San Francisco, Ferguson, of Sacramento, and Fiske, of Sut- ter, Americans, voting for it. The election of Governor Foote was expected to have been the result of the con- vention, and from this fact many who had advocated the American Party in the campaign expressed pleasure in the defeat of the election. The anti-slavery element in the Senate was the balancing cause of the defeat.
The leading candidate, Governor Foote, was not in- clined to abandon the contest, but remained at the cap- itol devising plans and arguments to bring on the election.
February and March had nearly passed with but very little rain, and the prayers of miners and farmers were , loud for water, in which they were much more interested than in the election of United States Senator. Late in March, Foote and Marshall were at their hotel in Sacra- mento conversing on the condition of the country, when the former observed that in consequence of our foreign relations, portentous of war, and the distraction of our people on many local questions, the welfare of the whole country, and especially of this State, demanded that Cal- ifornia should have another Senator in Congress. Mar- shall raised himself listlessly from the sofa, upon which he was reclining, and said abruptly, "Yes, that, or rain."
The waggery and appositeness of the answer soon be- came the common joke, ridiculing the pretentions of the Senatorial aspirant, and little more was heard of the election after that.
CAMPAIGN OF 1856-THE REPUBLICANS.
Again a new political party made its appearance in California. This was the Republican Party, already strong in the Northern States of the East, but in the be- ginning of 1856 only mentioned with bated breath on the Pacific Coast. The Republicans had gained such strength in Congress as to enable them to elect N. P. Banks, of Massachusetts, Speaker by a plurality vote, after a contest of two months. This had so incensed the California Legislature, then in session, that it adopted a resolution declaring it deplorable, " As representing sectional feelings diametrically opposed to the Constitu- tion of the United States, and to the only measures and doctrines which will insure the perpetuity of our Repub- lican institutions, and the preservation of our glorious Union .??
This resolution was introduced in the Assembly by
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HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
Hon. J. T. Farley, then Speaker and leader of the Amer- ican Party; and it was that party which, at the time, seemed most to dread the new organization. The Dem- ocrats, although denouncing the Republicans in. bitter terms, hailed them as disorganizers of the American Party, as from that element it might draw the disaffected and independent vote. No thought was entertained that the new party would gain sufficient strength in California to be dangerous to the Democracy. The masses of the people were so opposed to it that its first advocates were frequently mobbed when attempting to address the pub- lic. The organization was regarded with unspeakable horror, as unwarrantably sectional and treasonable, and its advocates as fanatics or lunatics. Such was the wel- come the Republican Party received in California.
The election of 1856 involved a President and Vice- President of the United States, two Members of Congress, Clerk of Supreme Court, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a Legislature that would have the election of two United States Senators.
NOMINATIONS MADE.
The Democrats called a State Convention to meet at Sacramento, March 5, to elect delegates to the National Convention at Cincinnati. The State Convention met as called. Resolutions were adopted declaring that James Buchanan was the choice of the California Democracy for the nomination for President. Broderick, Bigler, and other Northern Democrats were the cham- pions of Buchanan, while Volney E. Howard, and other extreme pro-slavery men, expressed doubts as to his position upon the question of admitting slavery into all the Territories.
The convention met at Cincinnati, June 2, and on the 5th made nominations of James Buchanan, of Penn- sylvania, for President, and John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, for Vice-President.
The Grand Council of the American Party met at Philadelphia, February 19, 1856, and nominated Millard Fillmore, of New York, for President, and Andrew Jack- son Donelson, of Tennessee, for Vice-President.
The first Republican State Convention in California met at Sacramento, April 30th, and was attended by representatives from thirteen counties. The Republican National Convention met at Philadelphia June 3, 1856, and nominated John C. Fremont, of California, for President, and Wm. L. Dayton, of New Jersey, for Vice- President. The residence of Fremont in California was denied, and he was accredited to South Carolina, his native State. The anti-Fillmore men of the American Party met in convention in Philadelphia on the 20th of June, and nominated John C. Fremont for the Presi- dency, and Wm. F. Johnson, of Pennsylvania, for Vice- President.
The Abolition Party nominated Garrett Smith, of New York, for President, and S. McFarland, of Pennsylvania, for Vice-President, and a third faction of the Ameri- can Party nominated R. F. Stockton, of New Jersey, for President, and Kenneth Rayner, of North Carolina, for Vice-President.
The principal questions of difference between the parties were, on the Republican side, opposition to the extension of slavery into the Territories; dissatisfaction with the repeal of the Missouri compromise, and de- manding the repeal of the obnoxious fugitive slave law.
The State Convention nominated Charles L. Scott, of Tuolumne, and Joseph C. Mckibben, of Sierra, for Congress; Charles S. Fairfax, of Yuba, for Clerk of Supreme Court, and "Andrew J. Moulder, of San Fran- cisco, for Superintendent of Public Instruction. San Luis Obispo was represented in the convention by J. R. Watson, with two votes.
The Republican State Convention met at Sacramento on the 27th of August. The nominations were as fol- lows: Ira P. Rankin, of San Francisco, and Tom Cox, of Plumas, for Congress (Cox was withdrawn and Tur- ner 'placed in his stead); Cornelius Cole, of Santa Cruz, for Clerk of Supreme Court, and J. M. Buffington, of Sacramento, for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The convention of the American Party, held Septem- ber 15th, nominated A. B. Dibble, of Nevada, and B. C. Whitman, of Solano, for Congress; John Skinker, of Sacramento, Clerk of Supreme Court, and Horace P. Janes, of San Francisco, Superintendent of Public In- struction.
The election occurred on Tuesday, November 4, 1856, resulting in a Demo cratic victory in the United States and in California, but as usual San Luis Obispo gave its majority for the minority party. The total vote of California was 110,221, of which the Democratic can- didates received 53,365; American, 36,165; Republican, 20,691.
FRIENDSHIP FOR FREMONT.
The vote of San Luis Obispo on the Presidential question was: Fremont, 107; Buchanan, 83; Millard Fillmore, 15. This had previously been a Whig county. In this campaign the friendship of the native Califor- nians for Fremont was shown in the large vote he re- ceived, being a manifestation of the deep gratitude they owed him for his lenient treatment as a conqueror in 1846-47. Of the 296 electoral votes in the United States, James Buchanan received 174; Fremont, 114, and Fillmore 8 votes, the last being the electoral vote of the State of Maryland.
WV. J. Graves was elected to the Assembly from San Luis Obispo, defeating E. Hughes, and Pablo de la Guerra held over as Senator from the district.
The Legislature met January 6, 1857, and contained, in the Senate, nineteen Democrats, eleven Americans, and three Republicans; in the Assembly, fifty-nine Democrats, nine Americans, and twelve Republicans.
Several acts were passed specially for San Luis Obispo, among them being one to provide for a Board of Com- missioners in each township, to regulate water courses; one to levy a tax of half of one per cent. to pay the county indebtedness, and one fixing the northern boun- dary of the county, making the Nacimiento the line.
ELECTION OF SENATORS.
The election of two United States Senators occupied
4
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POLITICAL HISTORY CONTINUED.
the first two weeks of the session, as before the election of Senator Weller California had been represented by but one Senator, the term of Dr. Gwin having expired on the 3d of March, 1855, and Colonel Weller's term would expire on the 3d of March, 1857. Broderick's handiwork had been seen in every Senatorial contest since 1849, and now by adroit management that ambi- tious and skillful politician had control of the election. He and his friends had been the special advocates of James Buchanan for the Presidential nomination, and the official patronage expected from that source lent its influence in his favor. The aspirants for Senatorial honors were Broderick, Gwin, Weller, Tilford, Latham, Field, McCorkle, and Washington.
TRIUMPH OF BRODERICK.
Broderick received the nomination in the Democratic caucus for the long term, succeeding Weller. The result of the election was David C. Broderick, United States . Senator for six years, from March 3, 1857, and Dr. W. M. Gwin, for four years. Broderick had won, at last, the ambition of his life, but the fruits of his triumph were like " Dead Sea apples, that turned to ashes on his lips." The story of his struggle for the Senatorship and his life would constitute one of the most interesting chapters of California's political history; combining in- trigue and triumph; romance and tragedy; the firmness of the most true friendship, and perfidy of politicians, but only the brief statement of facts can enter here.
CHAPTER XVII. POLITICAL HISTORY CONTINUED.
Campaign of 1857-The Democracy United-Democratic Combi- nations-Contempt for the Republicans-State Conventions- The Election-Henry M. Osgood-Campaignof 1858-Douglas Democrats-Republicans and Douglas Democrats-Election in 1858-A Portentous Omen-The Legislature-Campaign of 1859-Election Precincts-Political Doctrines-Election Re- turns 1859-Broderick and Terry Duel-M. S. Latham Elected Senator-Campaign of 1860-Threatening Aspect of Parties-The Election-Lincoln President-J. A. McDougall Senator-A Stormy Session -- The Rebellion-Campaign of 1861-Officers of Election-Success of the Republicans- Campaign of 1862-Three Parties in the Field --. Abolition of Slavery - John Conness Elected Senator - Constitutional Amendments Adopted-Campaign of 1863-Democratic Song -Long Hairs and Short Hairs-Election September, 1863- Judicial Election-Campaign of 1864-Presidential Nomina- tions -- Election 1864-Evidence of Patriotism.
HE campaign of 1857 involved the election of State, Legislative, and county officers, also to pay or repudiate the State debt, and a vote upon calling a Constitutional Convention. The political power seemed indisputably in the hands of the Democratic Party, and their nominations were generally regarded as equivalent to an election. There were several reasons for this. The Senatorial contest, which had been a prolific source of discord, had been settled, apparently, for four years at least, and the two wings appeared firmly united. In addition to this, the administration of State affairs by the American Party had given great dissatisfaction, and the Republicans were still laboring under the common de-
nunciation of being disunionists, abolitionists, sectional- ists, negro-worshipers, and the like, and their power was insignificant except in the large cities.
DEMOCRATIC COMBINATIONS.
The combinations made in settling the Senatorial question in the previous winter had decided, in advance of any convention, a good portion of the Democratic nominees, at least as far as bargaining could.
CONTEMPT FOR THE REPUBLICANS.
The Republicans put forth their platform, which appeared to the Democrats so obnoxious that they pub- lished it as a campaign document, on the theory that
"Vice is a monster of such hideous mien That to be hated needs but to be seen."
The result was, however, as demonstrated in after years, the conclusion of the poet :--
" But seen too oft, familiar with its face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace."
The Republican platform declared the national char- acter of the party and expressed no opinions regarding State policy, other than to invite immigration, wherein it differed from the American Party. To prohibit slavery in the Territories was in the power and duty of Congress, in which it differed from the Democratic Party, which denied that power. It was opposed to interference with slavery in the States. One resolution said " that the opinion rendered by Chief Justice Taney, and concurred in by other Judges in the late Dred Scott case, is a pal- pable violation of the principles of the Declaration of Independence, a falsification of the history of our coun- try, subversive of State rights, and a flagrant injustice to a large portion of the people of the United States, and as such merits the indignant reprobation of every freeman." This disapprobation of so sacred a thing as a decision of the United States Supreme Court was considered as but little short of blasphemy. The platform expressed the hope that the freemen of Oregon, then about organizing a State Government, would succeed in establishing it on a basis of free principles, excluding slavery from the Pacific Coast forever.
STATE CONVENTIONS.
The Democratic State Convention was held at Sacra- mento, July 14, 1857. The prominent candidates before the convention for Governor were John B. Weller, of Sacramento; Joseph W. McCorkle, of Butte, and John Nugent, of San Francisco. The nominations were: For Governor, John B. Weller; Lieutenant-Grovenor, Joseph Walkup, of Placer; Justices of Supreme Court, full term, Stephen J. Field, of Yuba, and Peter H. Burnett, of Santa Clara, short term; Attorney-General, Thomas H. Williams, of El Dorado; Controller, James W. Mande- ville, of Tuolumne; Treasurer, Thomas Findley, of Nevada, full term, and James L. English, of Sacramento, short term; Surveyor-General, Horace A. Higley, of Alameda; State Printer, James O'Meara, of San Fran- cisco.
The American State Convention met at Sacramento,
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HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
July 28th, and nominated the following: For Governor, Geo. W. Bowie, of Colusa; Lieutenant-Governor, J. A. Raymond; Justice of Supreme Court, James H. Ralston, of Sacramento; Controller, G. W. Whitman, of Amador; Attorney-General, T. J. McFarland, of Nevada; Treasurer, J. R. Crandall, of Placer; Surveyor-General, Lucien B. Healy, of Santa Clara; State Printer, B. H. Monson.
The Republican State Convention met at Sacramento, July 8th, and made the following nominations: For Gov- ernor, Edward Stanley, of Marin; Lieutenant-Governor, D. W. Cheeseman, of El Dorado; Justice of Supreme Court, Nathaniel Bennett, of San Francisco; Attorney- General, Aaron A. Sargent, of Nevada; Controller, L. C. Gunn, of Tuolumne; Treasurer, Leland Stanford, of Sacramento; Surveyor-General, P. M. Randall, of Amador; State Printer, F. B. Murdock, of Santa Clara.
The campaign was quiet, the usual round of speech- making being followed, with the addition of a number of Republican speakers, who received more respectful atten- tion than in the preceding year.
THE ELECTION.
The result was the election of the Democratic State ticket, the total vote being 93,643, of which Weller received 53,122; Stanley, 21,040, and Bowie, 19,481. The vote in San Luis Obispo was, for Weller, 225; Stan- ley 55, and Bowie none. The proposition for holding a Constitutional Convention was defeated through not receiving a majority of all the votes cast, as required by law, although of those voting on the subject 30,226 were for a convention, and 17,680 against. The proposition to pay the State indebtedness, which the Supreme Court had declared contracted in violation of the Constitution, was carried by a large majority.
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