USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 26
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vote in Alameda county for governor was Low ( union), 1,392 and Downey (democrat), 805. At the judicial election October 21st, Judge McKee defeated Judge Brown of Contra Costa, who had received the union nomination by 333 votes.
Under the chairmanship of Dr. W. Newcomb, of Oakland, and S. S. Saul, secretary, a union county convention was held at San Leandro on March 19th, at which time delegates were appointed to the state convention to be held in Sacramento. This convention selected delegates to the national union conven- tion. The democratic county convention met at the same place on the 7th of May with William A. Moss presiding, and Harry Linden, secretary. William S. Moss, P. E. Edmondson, W. H. Glascock and Harry Linden were appointed delegates to the state convention. These political meetings culminated on the 29th of October, when a very numerously attended and enthusiastic gathering of union followers at San Leandro-the largest then that had been had in the county-met to do honor to their popular nominees. I. A. Amerman, presi- dent of the Lincoln and Johnson Club of San Leandro, officiated as grand mar- shal of the day, with E. M. Smith, Lysander Stone and E. C. Jacobs as aides- de-camp. The procession, it was positively stated at the time, was eight miles in length. This vast concourse passed in review before General McDowell, who stood in his carriage, with uncovered head as they filed past, making the welkin ring with their loyal cheers. Hon. Edward Tompkins was president of the day ; he made a most eloquent and soul-stirring speech, and was followed by Hons. Delos Lake, Nathan Porter, F. M. Pixley, J. G. Callum, Attorney-General Mc- Cullough, W. H. L. Barnes and Judge Tyler. This demonstration was in every sense a most enthusiastic one.
About this time Hon. J. B. Felton was a prominent candidate for the posi- tion of United States Senator. His cause was warmly espoused by the Oak- land News, and as strenuously opposed by the San Leandro Gazette. On the 5th of August the union county convention was held in San Leandro. The democratic convention was held at the same place on the 24th. The platform adopted by the latter favored a hard money currency, with an extension of the specific contract act, to include verbal contract for workingmen's wages ; opposed negro or Chinese suffrage; and favored the reconstruction of the southern states on the principles of President Johnson's policy. At the general election which fol- lowed the union candidates were successful in every instance. At the judicial elec- tion held in the following month S. W. Sanderson, the republican nominee for judge of the supreme court, received, in Alameda county, 390 more votes than did Hartley, the democratic candidate.
On November 8, 1864, the presidential election showed a majority in this county for Lincoln of 658 votes, while his plurality throughout the state was 16,634 votes. For Congress, Higby received 1,458 votes, as against 797 for Coffroth.
On June 8, 1867, the union county convention convened at San Leandro, but discord had crept into the ranks of the party, and there was an undoubted diversity of opinion as to party policies and measures. Judge A. M. Crane was chosen chairman, and A. M. Church and William Gagan, secretaries, while there were some fifty delegates in attendance. The following delegates were appointed to the state convention at Sacramento: John W. Dwinelle and B. F. Ferris,
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Oakland township; A. M. Church and B. F. Marston, Washington township; William Meek, Eden township; S. Milbury, Brooklyn township; A. M. Crane, Alameda and Murray townships jointly.
On the 15th of June the democratic county convention was held at the same place. J. West Martin, C. H. Cushing, J. W. Dougherty, William Moss and John Threlfall were appointed delegates to the state convention. When the republican convention met at Sacramento George C. Gorham was nominated for governor. It was afterwards charged that his nomination was secured by smart tactics and trading. The union men who were expected to make the republican ticket successful became disaffected, and at the election held in the month of October, the ticket was ingloriously defeated. The democrats seeing this weak- ening of the opposing host, published a platform denouncing the Mongolian influx, declaring labor to be the true foundation of all prosperity, and placing at the head of their ticket Henry H. Haight of Alameda as democratic candi- date for governor, who, amid much enthusiasm, obtained a signal majority over Gorham of 8,527.
The union county convention assembled at San Leandro on March 18, 1868, and elected delegates to the state convention at Sacramento. The democrats convened there on the 25th of April and passed resolutions highly complimen- tary to Governor Haight, and strongly urged him as the next democratic candi- date for the Presidency of the United States.
On July 22d, the union county convention met at San Leandro for the pur- pose of nominating county and judicial officers, the democrats meeting for the purpose on the Ioth of August. In the ticket presented by the last-mentioned party for the office of district attorney was George M. Blake, a convert from the union ranks, while in Captain Mayhew, who had been a prominent member of the other party, the democracy also found a new follower, yet notwithstanding these recruits the union ticket won.
On Saturday, July 18, 1868, a democratic ratification meeting at San Lean- dro, in honor of the nomination of Seymour and Blair as candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of the United States, was held, among the speakers being Governor Haight and Lieutenant-Governor Holden. The chair was occupied by William S. Moss; the secretary was W. J. Collier, editor of the Democrat.
There was much enthusiasm among politicians during the Presidential elec- tion of this year, mass meetings of both republicans and democrats being held throughout the county, while the ablest speakers were arrayed on both sides. Grant and Colfax received a majority in Alameda county of 536 in a total vote of 3,123. In this year there were enrolled on the great register, after the can- celled names were struck off, 4,623 names, while there were recorded on the poll list only 3,596 names.
In 1870 the union county convention was held in San Leandro. The demo- crats made no nominations, but an independent party was formed and a ticket put in the field, headed by Edward Tompkins for State Senator. On the Ist of September the election was held and portions of both tickets were successful. For the office of county recorder there was a tie vote between P. S. Marston and M. W. Levy, which at a special election held on October 25th resulted in favor of the former.
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On May 4, 1870, an election of trustees in Brooklyn was held and resulted as follows: H. A. Mayhew, Hiram Tubbs, Adam Cannon, Charles Newton, Henry Tum Suden, board of trustees; A. W. Swett, F. Buel, C. C. Knowles, school directors; J. F. Steen, clerk and treasurer ; C. E. Webster, assessor. Mr. Mayhew was elected president of the board of trustees on May 7th.
The Young Men's Republican Club was organized for the Grant and Wilson campaign and continued an influential political power for many years. The large republican majorities were ascribed to the efforts and influence of this club. The membership was about two hundred in 1875. It was united and harmon- ious, and could not be distorted nor purchased by private politicians. In their announcement was this plank: "We firmly believe in the integrity of the rank and file of the republican party to choose such state officers as will be free from corrupt influences and are fully capable of righting any wrongs that may exist within the party, independents to the contrary notwithstanding."
There was a time when the Federal faction ruled affairs in Alameda county. This was immediately succeeding the Civil war when others than republicans were presumed to be in disfavor. George M. Pinney was the head and front of this faction. The arbitrary methods of this faction became at last unsuffer- able and an independent movement was organized, succeeded, and changed the order of affairs.
On July 28, 1873, the republican party held a convention at San Leandro to elect delegates to the congressional convention at Sacramento. After a keen contest Hon. Nathan Porter of Alameda was put forward as the choice of the republicans of the county. Although Mr. Porter appeared to be the favorite at Sacramento, there was present an unseen influence that gave the nomination to Horace F. Page of Placerville.
On August 11, 1873, the republican county convention met at San Leandro under the presidency of George M. Pinney, when C. W. Howard, W. J. Gurnett and I. A. Amerman were nominated as state senator and members of the Assembly. On the 23d a meeting of the independent reform convention was held at the call of the democratic county committee at the same place, Dr. Beverly Cole being chairman and J. M. Estudillo, secretary of the convention. Edward Gibbons, independent, received the nomination for state senator and J. W. Dwinelle, republican, and Daniel Inman, democrat, both former representatives of, the county, were nominated for the Assembly. For treasurer, Robert D. Far- relly was nominated by acclamation. Ellis E. Haynes, a republican, was nomi- nated for sheriff; J. M. Estudillo, democrat, for county clerk; Eben C. Farley, democrat, for recorder; Henry Evers, republican, for auditor; W. W. Foote, democrat, for district attorney; Newton Ingram, democrat, for tax collector ; Thomas W. Millard, democrat, for assessor; V. S. Northey, independent, com- missioner of highways; John Doherty, democrat, surveyor; Eugene Thurston, democrat, for superintendent of schools; S. W. Mather, republican, for coroner ; and Dr. W. P. Gibbons, republican, for public administrator. At the election, which took place on the 3d of September, the entire republican ticket was elected save for the offices of state senator and county treasurer.
In 1874 two city conventions were held in Oakland. The republicans met April 24th and nominated a full ticket headed by Henry Durant for mayor, and succeeded in electing their entire ticket. The democrats or liberals assembled
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April 25th and also nominated a full ticket. Each convention named a central committee. Durant, republican, in 1874 received for mayor a majority of 572 in a total vote of 1,593. In 1875 Webber, republican, received a majority of 164 over Gurnett, democrat, out of a total vote of 1,760. As a whole the election of 1874 was a republican success. The temperance alliance attempted to make a showing at this election but failed.
Henry Durant, who had served as mayor of Oakland with conspicuous credit, died in January, 1875, and was given memorable obsequies by his sorrowing fellow citizens. At the time of his funeral the university, all the schools and many business houses were closed. The democrats nominated what they called a citizens' ticket in February for municipal offices. W. J. Gurnett was nominated for mayor. Among the resolutions adopted was one favoring the administration of municipal affairs along non-partisan lines. The republicans selected a com- mittee of five to whom was submitted the task of naming a party ticket for the municipal election in the spring of 1875. That E. C. Sessions was the choice of three-fourths of the voters irrespective of party none disputed; but Mr. Sessions did not want the place, or rather his business activities were so important and vital to him as to prevent his acceptance. The Young Men's Republican Club was an important factor at this election; also in 1874.
The new Republican Club organized at Oakland in May, 1875, elected the following officers : J. V. B. Goodrich, president ; William Bartling, J. E. Farnum, vice-presidents ; W. M. Gilcrest, recording secretary ; F. D. Hinds, corresponding secretary ; W. B. Hardy, treasurer ; Perry Johnson, marshal. At a public meeting the club endorsed the principles and purposes of the national union republican party ; encouraged the efforts to improve the harbor ; pledged itself to support no candidates that were not honest and capable ; expressed the belief that all qual- ified voters should exercise the privilege, and said: "We look with unmingled pride and satisfaction upon the rapid growth of our pleasant and beauteous city."
Early in 1875 a large faction of the people openly demanded the nomination and election of E. C. Sessions to the office of mayor. He was familiar with the real wants of the city, was young, strong, cultured, honest and public-spirited, had no political aspirations to warp either his rectitude or his judgment, was in business here-the construction of houses-was always at home and was almost an ideal man for the office, because he was interested in the rapid, legitimate and harmonious growth of the city; but he positively declined the honor.
The republican committee convention met February 18, 1875, and named a full city ticket. It was claimed, though denied, that this ticket was a cut and dried affair, but the nominees were all good reliable men and citizens who could be expected to give the city a wise administration. At this convention a com- munication was received from Emma Temple, Jennie Walbridge and Mary W. Phelps, who presented a petition signed by 565 women and 350 voters of the city, requesting the nomination of two ladies for members of the board of education. The list of the voters who signed the petition was published in full in the news- papers ; also the list of ladies. The democrats failed to nominate a woman for member of the board of education; the republicans were lukewarm or indifferent on the subject and the woman movement thus well started died ingloriously at the outset. Mrs. J. C. Carr withdrew her name from the candidacy and the movement
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then totally collapsed. At the county convention Mrs. L. P. Fisher was nominated on the independent ticket for county superintendent.
The charter election in San Leandro in May, 1875, resulted in a victory for the high license advocates; it meant the advance of licenses from $15 to $50 per quarter, the same as in Oakland. The high license faction elected their assessor, clerk and justice of the peace, while the low license wing captured the marshal and treasurer. Three high license trustees were chosen: A. T. Covel, (high) 98 votes ; J. A. Estudillo, (low) 96 votes; George Smith, (high) 93 votes ; A. Bald- win, (high) 93 votes.
In the first partition of the state, Contra Costa was attached to Santa Clara county for senatorial purposes. On the creation of Alameda county it was joined to Santa Clara, and formed into the Fourth senatorial district, and thus it con- tinued until created into the Ninth senatorial district. By the act approved March 16, 1874, Alameda county was designated as the Fourteenth senatorial district, to have two Senators, and as such it remained until the session of the Legis- lature in 1875 when the state was redistricted, and Alameda county formed into the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth senatorial districts, with one Senator for each. The First, Fourth and Sixth wards of the city of Oakland, together with the election precincts of West Berkeley, Bay and Ocean View, constituted the Sixteenth senatorial district; the Second, Third, Fifth and Seventh wards of the city of Oakland, together with the election precincts of East Berkeley, Temescal and Piedmont, constituted the Seventeenth senatorial district; and that portion of Brooklyn township outside of the city of Oakland, together with the townships of Alameda, Eden, Washington and Murray constituted the Eighteenth senatorial district. When originally created, Alameda county with those of Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Mono, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer, Nevada and Alpine were defined as the Second congressional district, but by the act approved March 30, 1872, Mono was segre- gated therefrom, and embodied in the Fourth district. The Legislature in 1883 constituted the counties of Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, Contra Costa, Marin and Alameda into the Third congressional district.
The political campaign of 1875 was one of the most remarkable in the history of the state. The issues were vital, the candidates able, the people intensely interested and. the newspapers caustic and personal. Such speakers as Booth, Gorham, Sargent, Phelps, Bidwell, Lovett, Haymond delivered brilliant addresses to the populace. They were strong enough to tear the issues to tatters and elo- quent enough to draw immense and enthusiastic audiences. At one of the republican meetings bonfires were lighted at Broadway and Fourteenth streets. The Young Men's Republican Club marched through the streets with band and banners, halted in front of the Grand Central hotel, and escorted Mr. Phelps to the tent at Thirteenth and Washington streets. The meeting was called to order by J. J. Porter, chairman of the county central committee. F. K. Shattuck served as chairman. Mr. Phelps then spoke for about an hour and a quarter on the issues of the day. In early years the republicans in Alameda county were so largely in the majority that the democrats had no show on straight tickets, but there were usually enough soreheaded members of the former to elect a few of the latter every year. The independents of Alameda county were fully organized in the spring of 1875. Their county central committee were as fol-
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lows : Henry Robinson, A. W. Sinett, Walter Blair, William Meek, D. Inman, Eben C. Farley, General Bowie, William Linfoot, Captain Wilcox, C. A. Tuttle and W. W. Winn.
The republican county convention met early in June, 1875. Thomas Eager of Brooklyn township served as chairman and John Ames as secretary. The committee on resolutions were A. W. Bishop, N. W. Spaulding and W. Whidden. The resolutions adopted affirmed allegiance to party principles and the delegates elected were instructed to vote for the renomination of H. E. Page for Congress from this district, and his acts were warmly endorsed.
The county democratic convention met in the Academy of Music July 23, 1875, and was called to order by Judge Blake; Joseph Dement served as chairman. The convention put out a straight ticket-resolved to stand or fall on principle. It endorsed the state platform, favored the Oakland harbor improvement, advocated the strictest economy in the management of the city affairs and declined to appoint a committee to meet a committee from the independent convention with a view of possible amalgamation.
The people's independent convention assembled in the city hall in July, 1875, and was called to order by William Meek of the county committee. Col. G. W. Bowic served as chairman. Upon motion a committee of ten was appointed to present to the convention nominees for the different offices; this committee consisted of William Meek, W. Blair, D. Inman, H. G. McLean, J. T. Walker, Socrates Huff, C. T. Hopkins, E. M. Smith and A. J. Snyder. Steps to confer with the democratic convention then in session were taken. A committee was appointed to meet General Bidwell at the station and escort him to the Grand Central hotel.
The convention of the temperance reform party was held here on August 20, 1875, and consisted of the central committees of state and county. J. H. Red- stone served as chairman and A. Crawford, as secretary. Any person present in sympathy with the objects of the party was, upon motion, regarded as a mem- ber of the convention. The following committee selected the candidates to be placed before the convention : Joel Russell, Rev. Mr. Wills, J. M. Horner, Mr. Ricks, Mrs. Dr. Carr and Mrs. G. M. Blake. A full ticket was nominated. The platform of the state temperance reform party was adopted.
At the republican county convention on August 2, 1875, a full county ticket was nominated and the utmost harmony prevailed. The platform adopted pledged economy in local administration, favored the reduction of the salaries of county officers, opposed monopolies, especially the land monopoly, endorsed the state and national platforms, instructed state representatives to exert their influence to reduce expense, and endorsed the official career of Congressman Page and recommended his reelection. Upon the appearance here of Mr. Page on August 12, 1875, he was greeted with an ovation that few men ever receive on this earth and fewer still sincerely merit. Not alone the republicans but the democrats and independents and ladies assembled at the station, along the line of march and at the tent to do him honor. The entire line of march was a bewildering display of banners, fireworks, bonfires and shouting people. Nothing surpassing it was ever before witnessed on the streets of Oakland. The enthusiasm culmi- nated at the campaign tent which was densely packed long before the distin- guished speaker arrived-a much larger assemblage than had thus far greeted
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any other orator of the campaign. A splendid glee club kindled the fires of enthusiasm by singing a political adaptation to the tune "That's What's the Matter"-the singers being Pratt, Reed, Booth and Farrington. The applause was deafening and continued and the singers were forced to repeat. District Attorney Moore served as chairman of the meeting. When Mr. Page took the stage he was unable to proceed for some time because of the tumultuous and con- tinuous applause which greeted him. It was a speech of great power and interest touching local affairs and revealing the details of his fight in Congress for the improvement of the harbor and the welfare of this community.
The Ward bill of 1876 was a democratic measure and was followed generally by democratic success in Oakland. The Oakland Democratic Club reorganized in February, 1876, and elected "Uncle Billy" Hoskins, who had been its secretary for twenty-six years, to a life membership and also elected the following officers : William Van Voorhies, president; F. J. Brearty, L. Wintringer, S. D. Crowin, Col. John Scott, vice-presidents ; H. E. Wilcox, William Moore and A. E. Castello, finance committee; W. M. Graham, secretary; Patrick Scully, treasurer.
At this time there was considerable dissatisfaction in the democratic ranks against the usurpations and dictatory policies of the Democratic Club. It was proposed in the club, much to the indignation of outside democrats, that the city nominations of the democracy be made by the club and not by the regular demo- cratic committee. So much indignation was expressed that the club at its next meeting rescinded the action it had already taken, but passed another equally objectionable to the outside democrats, that the members of the club in ward delegations select seven democrats from their respective wards, the whole to constitute a nominating convention. This act made the club still the nominating power.
The Oakland democratic convention nominated John A. Stanly for mayor in March, 1876. The republicans nominated Doctor Pardee. The defeat of Mr. Stanly was not an expression of sentiment in regard to the Market street railroad franchise then under consideration. The people had found Pardee honest, able and reliable and knew nothing of Stanly.
The republican county convention assembled in Oakland on April 22, 1876, and appointed delegates to the state convention at Sacramento. On the 21st of May the democratic party held their convention for the like purpose, and also elected a county central committee. On the 12th of that month a great anti- Chinese mass meeting was held in Oakland, on which occasion, a resolution addressed to Congress praying for relief from the Mongolian incubus was adopted. The first campaign meetings of the republicans and democrats were held respectively on June 19th and July 15th.
In 1876 the republicans of Alameda organized for the state and Presidential campaign and elected Dr. W. P. Gibbons president of the movement ; meetings were held once a week. On June IIth the republican county convention was held in Oakland, and was called to order by George M. Pinney, chairman of the county central committee. Thomas Eager was chosen temporary chairman and A. W. Bishop, secretary. Confidence in the national administration was declared, and appreciation of the services of Congressman Page was expressed. Dele- gates to the state convention were appointed. On the 19th of the same month, the democrats held a primary election in Oakland, when two tickets were placed
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in the field and the largest vote ever polled at a democratic primary was cast. The democratic county convention was held on the 26th, when the best harmony did not exist, a result which brought about the defeat of the Oakland delegation, who lost control of the convention. In this month the independent county con- vention held their session in Oakland and declared their principles to be reform in the administration of public affairs, the correction of local abuses, opposition to monopolies and the reconciliation of the North and South. The meetings of the convention for the nominations of legislative and county officers, were held as follows: That of the democrats on July 24th, at the Academy of Music on Fifth street, Oakland, with James Beazell at its head as State Senator; the independents met on the same day in the city hall, and named Henry Robinson, of Alameda, for State Senator, endorsed M. W. Dixon (democrat), of Washing- ton township, for the Assembly, and added the name of Walter Blair of Oak- land and Joseph Tayor of Murray; on the 2d of August the republican con- vention held their meeting in the Academy of Music, with 115 delegates. Their ticket had at its head, E. B. Mastick, of Alameda, for State Senator, but this gentleman subsequently declined the nomination. James W. Shanklin was nomi- nated instead, and John L. Beard of Centerville, A. T. Coville of San Leandro and J. V. B. Goodrich of Oakland were named for members of Assembly.
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