USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 29
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In the spring of 1891 two tickets were in the field at Berkeley, viz: non- partisan and independent taxpayers. It was the most exciting election ever held in that town. Desperate efforts were adopted to defeat the non-partisan ticket ; one objection was that eight of the candidates were of foreign birth. However the ticket, with one exception, was successful. The platform of the winners espoused public economy and improvement with individual liberty and social order, ample school facilities, moderate taxation, electric lights, enforce- ment of the university liquor law, public franchises not to be granted without due restrictions, protection against fires, establishment of a general system of improvement, and streets and drives to be beautified. The North Berkeley Club took an active part in the election, but failed to win a point. The independent taxpayers attributed their defeat largely to the fact that the temperance people did not vote. It was really a partial victory for the saloons. The independent taxpayers ticket was called "Burst the Ring ticket." The highest number of votes polled for any one candidate was 763 for McVey for constable. At Hay- wards there were two tickets in the field, the taxpayers and an unnamed ticket. The former being public improvement advocates, they elected their entire ticket, there being polled 283 votes.
In June, 1892, the republicans in all parts of the county assembled and rati- fied the renomination of General Harrison for president. The political cam- paign of 1892 in Alameda county was unexampled for its quietness and lack of subterfuges and surprises. Although the county was stumped by the parties, there were small crowds and little enthusiasm. The Dark Lantern Municipal League was the term applied to all persons who opposed the issuance of bonds
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for the public improvements demanded generally in 1891-92. It was declared the organization proper comprised only thirty members. The league declared their object was solely political and had nothing to do with the bond question. The league was active and powerful. Its president was Giles H. Gray. Its standing committee of twenty prepared lists of desirable delegates to the munic- ipal convention in December, 1892. Fifty-six delegates were elected to the con- vention.
The republican delegate convention of July, 1892, was one of the liveliest ever held. It was the first for twenty years in which a straight fight was made for an Alameda county man for Congress. The Congressmen supported for many years in Alameda county were Joseph McKenna and H. F. Page, both of whom were excellent and satisfactory, but now this county at last demanded its own Representative in Congress. The county convention of the people's party assembled in San Leandro in August, 1892. They declared in favor of having the water front returned to the Government, denounced the state board of equalization for allowing the Water Front Company's property claims in Oakland valued at $12,000,000 to be assessed at a little over $100,000 and the improvements of the Southern Pacific Company valued at several millions to be assessed for $8,000. The convention named nearly a full county ticket. The republican county convention met in the Tabernacle at Eleventh and Harrison streets on September 19th; George E. Whitney served as chairman. The plat- form declared in favor of education, temperance, morality, the administration of public office for the benefit of the whole people and made the following pro-
nouncement : "Partisanship in the republican party means patriotism and it includes all the elements of wise, conservative and sound citizenship." There was good feeling, but there were sharp contests for several of the offices, including that of sheriff. The convention demanded that county business should be con- ducted upon business principles and George C. Perkins was recommended for the United States Senate. At the November election nine constitutional amend- ments were submitted to the people. Six were carried in this county and were to limit debts of counties, cities, etc .; to tell how cities could adopt charters ; to elect Senators by direct vote of the people, to sustain the San Francisco depot act, to require an educational qualification for voters, and to provide for refund- ing the state debt.
The election of November, 1892, was the first in the state to put the Austra- lian system of voting into practice. There was some confusion resulting from a misunderstanding of how to mark and otherwise prepare the ballot. The result of the election in Alameda county astonished and dismayed the republi- cans, surprised and delighted the democrats and caused no unusual nor alarm- ing emotions in the breasts or brains of the prohibitionists or peoples' party advocates. The vote for presidential electors was as follows: republican 8.772 ; democrat 7,109; people's party 2,110; prohibitionist 442. Robert McKillican (D.) was elected sheriff. The Australian ballot was successful and liked. In 1892 Judge Samuel G. Hilborn ,(R.) ran for Congress from the third district for both short and long terms, his opponent being Warren English (D.). Judge Hilborn carried this county, and at first it seemed that he had carried the dis- trict. As the reports came in it seemed first as if one and then the other led
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
in the race. The final count showed Hilborn in the lead by three votes. Mr. English contested and in the democratic house of Congress was victorious.
The local election in Alameda surprised the wise men of that town. Demo- crats were successful and old, reliable and entrenched office holders were shaken . up or turned down. At the county election P. L. Bassett, C. D. Bennett, A. C. Fray, J. W. Riley and A. Schrayer were elected members of the sanitary board of the Fruit Vale Sanitary District.
In May, 1892, there were three tickets in the field in Berkeley: non-partisan, independent taxpayers and prohibition. The latter accomplished little, though polling eighty votes. Generally the non-partisan candidates were elected. The Australian system was used and about sixty ballots were thrown out for irregu- larity. Although East Berkeley was a temperance district drunken men were seen there on election day. Nearly a thousand votes were cast. At Livermore there were two tickets; citizens' and independent. Generally the former won. The number of votes polled was 255. The Australian system was used and worked well. The town election of San Leandro was lively and resulted in the selection of a mixed ticket. Only two tickets were in the field-republican and democratic. Personal popularity determined the victors. The total number of votes cast was 382. Sturtevant, Eber, Goodman, Hansen and Quinn were the trustees chosen.
In January, 1893, the Citizens' Municipal League, a non-partisan organiza- tion expressed dissatisfaction with the city government; declared that official position and influence were unblushingly used for personal profit rather than for the public good; stated that $20,000 of the people's money had been dumped into the mud of Lake Merritt without any real benefit to the city; denounced the subserviency of the city officials to the dictation of a venal press; denounced the establishment of poolrooms and the awarding of illegal printing contracts ; con- gratulated the citizens of Oakland upon the decision of the United States supreme court in the Chicago lake front case whereby it was recognized that a public harbor could not be monopolized by a private corporation; favored the speedy recovery of the Oakland water front by the city, the entry of competing railroad lines, the dredging of Lake Merritt, the construction of an efficient sewer system, larger returns to the city for railroad franchises, cheaper and better water and light, strict enforcement of liquor laws, suppression of gambling and exclusion of saloons from residence districts; declared that the boulevard as then projected and commenced should never be completed-that it should be built upon the shores of the lake without diminishing the area of the water park, the abutting lands to sustain the cost; and insisted that public printing should be done by the lowest bidder.
The republicans of Oakland nominated a straight party ticket and refused to accept any compromises or plan alterations. Great pressure was brought to bear to induce them to accept candidates from other factions, but to no avail. As a matter of history it was admitted that the municipal league pleaded with the republican managers to endorse their ticket. This they did after villifying the party for months, first abusing and threatening and then palavering and pleading. Their pleadings were coldly and indignantly turned down.
The prohibitionists in their platform called for reform in municipal affairs. asserted that the city should possess its own water front and monopolies,
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
arraigned the non-partisan ticket supporters for discriminating in favor of the liquor traffic and gambling and for their "cowardly silence on all moral issues," and denounced the members of the council who had betrayed their trust.
The democratic convention of 1893 was harmonious and determined. There was no contest in the convention. Mr. McFadden served as chairman and said they had met to complete the work so well begun. T. C. Coogan nominated for mayor R. M. Fitzgerald and the nomination was made unanimous. The plat- form adopted promised a reduction in taxation, favored the eight-hour labor law and endorsed improvements in schools, streets, sewers, administration, street franchises, letting of contracts, water front, etc. The platform said, "We are opposed to all sumptuary legislation and believe that no license should be required for any business which would render the same onerous and burden- some." At the republican convention Timothy L. Barker was nominated for mayor. George E. Whitney was chairman. George C. Pardee was candidate for mayor but was defeated in the convention. Strong speeches of Moore and Chickering were called out by the threat of a bolt from a faction of the party. The platform was long and contained the usual pledges on schools, streets, sew- ers, bonds, water front, saloons, franchises, etc. The populists nominated for mayor J. L. Davie; the prohibitionists, F. W. Sawyer and the municipal league George C. Pardee. Thus there were five tickets in the field. The republicans and the democrats nominated party tickets. The municipal league and the populists announced that they were out for reform. Late in March, 1893. Dr. E. H. Woolsey was announced as an independent candidate for mayor. At his meetings he exposed the political defects and characters with lantern slides. His speeches were the sensation of the campaign. His meetings were attended by the largest audiences of the campaign, were wholly original and unique, and went to the bottom of the political sins of this community. More than a hun- dred lantern slides were exhibited-some serious, many comic and humorous and all interesting and thought producing. His was the most lurid, original, spectacular and sensational candidacy ever presented here, but he got few votes.
The convention of the people's party was held in Liberty hall in January, with Frank Dixon presiding. Its platform promised that the government of Oakland should be removed from the hands of men and parties who made traffic of the sacred interests of the people and had done what they could to make citizenship itself infamous; that the Contra Costa Water Company should be arrested in its robbery of the public; that the city should proceed at once to take possession of the water front through its proper officers, treating present occupants as trespassers on the ground that said water front never had been and never could be alienated from the people; that the act of the present city council in appropriating the money of the people to the improvement of private property bordering upon Lake Merritt should be denounced as shameless treach- ery; that a suitable sewer system should be built; that the granting of further franchises or special privileges to individuals or corporations should be resisted, and that the public school system should be expanded and perfected. The result was the success of the municipal league ticket with a few exceptions ; George C. Pardee was elected mayor on the non-partisan ticket. The vote for mayor was as follows: Barker (R.), 946; Davie (Pop.), 2,328; Fitzgerald (D.), 2,191 ; Pardee (Non-P.), 2,776; Sawyer (Pro.), 42; Woolsey (Indp.),
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
47. In July, 1893, George C. Perkins was appointed to the United States Senate vice Mr. Stanford deceased.
The citizens of Berkeley interested in prohibition formed the citizens' league and nominated a town ticket in 1893. The aim of the league was to make the municipal laws conform to the statutes, to reinforce the university mile liquor act by an ordinance making it easier to secure evidence, to provide more fully for sanitary and street improvements and for the needs of the public schools. The law and order league and the prohibition club merged into the citizens' league.
In Alameda two municipal conventions, in 1893, each claiming to be non- partisan, put tickets in the field and the platforms favored the same objects with striking similarity. However, there was an inside fight on the question of control of the saloon traffic.
The republicans in 1894 nominated for mayor J. W. Nelson and named a full city ticket. The platform opposed boss rule, pledged an economical admin- istration, promised a generous policy of public improvements, favored an early settlement of the water front question, congratulated the citizens that the water rate question had been finally and permanently settled by competition, advocated a rigid enforcement of the liquor laws, favored the dredging of Lake Merritt and the conveyance of the material to the West Oakland marsh and recom- mended the establishment of a public crematory for the disposal of garbage, etc. The populists declined to fuse and nominated a full ticket with John L. Davie as candidate for mayor. An attempt of the American Protective Association to inject matters concerning religion into the platform was defeated by the con- vention. The municipal league or non-partisan convention nominated for mayor J. W. Nelson, thus endorsing so much of the republican ticket. They announced no particular policy or platform except wise administration and advancement. The democrats named a full ticket with T. C. Coogan for mayor. The plat- form favored public improvements, endorsed the project of constructing the valley railroad, favored the appointment of a non-partisan commission to invest- igate official corruption, denounced official favoritism; insisted that the water front question should be speedily settled in the courts of last resort and favored a crematory and a city sanitary system, etc. The non-partisan convention named a full ticket with J. W. Nelson for mayor at the head. The prohibitionists named for mayor Dr. P. McCargar. At a later stage the democrats endorsed the nomination of J. W. Nelson for mayor. Davie was elected.
The county populist convention was held in Oakland on July 20th; C. N. Hitchcock served as chairman. The platform urged that the issue between capital and labor be squarely met ; advocated government ownership of railroads and county or municipal ownership of water, gas and electric plants, and declared that public franchises should be for public benefit. A strong county ticket was nominated. The convention after declaring its principles and policies upheld "the right of every American citizen to proceed to Washington to enter the grounds and the capitol and to present their grievances and demands," thus endorsing the movements of Coxey's army. The prohibition state convention met in Hamilton Hall on May 16th; George B. Kellogg of Placer county, served as chairman. There was a large attendance of prominent temperance advocates from all parts of the state. The usual resolutions were passed-among them
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
being one demanding suffrage for women, one favoring the election of Presi- dent and United States Senators by direct vote of the people, and one advocating a graduated land tax. The convention nominated Henry French, of San Jose, for Governor. The democratic state convention nominated James H. Budd for Governor. W. R. English of Oakland was nominated for Congress.
The democratic county primaries were held September 18, 1894; there was little contest or enthusiasm. The county convention assembled at San Leandro September 22d, in St. Joseph's Hall, which was beautifully decorated. J. J. Scrivner presided over the convention. The platform favored low taxation and pledged the candidates if elected to a reduction of salaries 25 per cent from those then paid. On September 15th the republican primary election was held at Haywards. The main fights were over delegates who would favor certain candi- dates for superior judge, county assessor, county clerk, county treasurer and sheriff. There were sharp contests in the wards and smaller towns. Haywards felt greatly honored by the presence of this convention and was decorated in gala attire, particularly Native Son's hall where the proceedings were held. The surprises were the new candidates nominated. The convention opposed the railroad refunding bill then before Congress, favored a rigid retrenchment in county expenditures, and pledged the ticket to improve and keep in repair the principal county roads-particularly the Contra Costa county road.
The republican campaign of 1894 opened in this county on August 18th, with the appearance of M. M. Estee, republican candidate for governor, who delivered a comprehensive and telling speech to a large audience. He thoroughly reviewed the labor troubles and declared he had been warned as to what he should say in Oakland, because of the strike and the academic air that prevailed here. He did not mince words nor restrict thought, but attacked every disturbing and unfair element before the public. The Alameda county non-partisan convention assembled in Hamilton hall on September 11th; C. R. Lewis presided. The convention demanded that every department of the county government should be kept free from partisan politics. Nearly a full ticket was chosen. The elec- tion was a surprise to the members of all parties. With a few exceptions the republican ticket was elected, several candidates by a very narrow margin. Sanford, populist, was elected treasurer and Garlick, populist and non-partisan. was chosen superintendent of schools. Collins, republican, was defeated by Mc- Donald, democrat, for the Assembly. C. B. White, populist, had a large plural- ity over Schaffer, republican, for sheriff. Several other surprises occurred. The irregularities of the pluralities of the successful candidates betrayed the work- ing of agencies wholly foreign to partisanship. The popularity of Judge Hen- shaw was revealed by the result. The existence of personal considerations and factional leanings was shown in every precinct. For Governor: Budd (D.), received 6,786; Estee (R.), 8,150; French (Pro.), 616; Webster (P.P.), 4.531. Fred M. Campbell, who ran independently for county school superintendent, received 3,380 votes and D. M. Pugh (Pro.), received 336. It was seen that old methods of candidacy, convention and tickets were seriously invaded. While party nominations were still of supreme importance, they no longer possessed the sanctity of former years. No sooner was this election over than politicians and parties began to decipher and weigh the influences and issues of the approach- ing municipal campaign in the spring of 1895. All the nine amendments except one
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
were carried. A public improvement campaign was next on the program, it was said.
The vote for judge of the supreme court in the state convention was as follows : Henshaw, 659; Torrence, 516; De Haven, 422. Judge Henshaw was a graduate of Oakland high school and of the University of California in 1879.
In 1892 the great register contained 22,873 names ; in 1894 it contained 29,362. This great increase was a surprise to many who did not know how fast the county was growing. This registry was as follows:
Oakland
15,48I
Alameda
3,442
Berkeley
2,638
Oakland township
1,842
Brooklyn township
1,222
Eden township
1,934
Washington township
1,232
Murray township
1,57I
Total
29,362
The elections in Haywards and San Leandro in April, 1894, followed party 'ines very closely, with enough personality to add zest to the occasions. San Leandro was really a democratic town. In both towns the sharpest contest was over the town marshal who was assumed to be an important factor in the liquor question.
In a close contest George C. Perkins was elected to the United States Senate in January, 1895; his strongest competitor was M. H. De Young of San Fran- cisco.
Early in 1895 the populists were particularly active in their preparations for the municipal fight approaching. The republicans were active early, but the democrats were slow. The municipal league prepared to put a full ticket in the field. Late in January there was held the special election to determine the will of the voters of Oakland regarding the proposed amendments to the city charter; they decided in favor of the measures, which fact was recognized as an open endorsement of the course of Mayor Pardee whose renomination was strongly recommended by a large faction. The municipal league had grown in favor and the old parties found it necessary to defer to its dictum.
The municipal election of 1895 was a surprise to almost everybody. No one properly estimated the strength of the people's party platform or the popularity of its candidate for mayor, The result of the election proved that the people did not believe that the non-partisan administration had fulfilled its pledges made at the time of election and carried forward the reforms demanded. It thus came to pass' that J. L. Davie was easily elected mayor, though the non-partisans secured a good working majority in the council. The other successful candi- dates were scattered among the four or five parties which had tickets in the field. For Mayor Davie (P.P.), received 4,543 votes ; Nelson (M.L., D. and R.), 3.861 ; McCargar (Pro.), 93. No doubt the attitude of Mr. Davie against the Water Front Company and in favor of cheap trans-bay transportation had much to do Vol. 1-15
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
with his popularity and his triumph at this time. Although after a while the Davie ferry service was forced to withdraw, the benefits of reduced fares which it established still remained and were appreciated and not forgotten.
The fight over the tax levy in September, 1895, was bitter and protracted. Mayor Davie who had been elected to office largely by the low tax people, declared he would veto any levy above $1. Although it was shown that the funds of many departments would have to be seriously cut, the mayor stood firm and in the end the $1 ordinance was passed. During the inflammatory meet- ings of the council the lie was passed more than once. Many called the council the "Bear Garden." The facts were that the faction which demanded a generous taxation for the schools, library, and street and park improvements were out- voted and outmaneuvered by the low-tax and no-improvement masses who still stood with their feet on the neck of progress and betterment. Akin to this low tax policy was the act of the masses in voting against the refunding of the $140,000 in city bonds about to become due.
In January, 1896, the populists became so disappointed with the course of Mr. Davie that they concluded he had fallen from grace and accordingly expunged his name from their rolls. The campaign of 1896 was characterized by great confusion over the kinds of money and the rights of labor and as a consequence there was a general demand for a campaign of education in order that voters might be enlightened on the obscure and perplexing problems. Partisanship in this county was cut to pieces by the side issues of gold, silver, socialism, popu- lism, woman suffrage, rights of labor, etc. The politicians were in their ele- ments-could advocate anything and at every meeting had listeners and sym- pathizers. A demand arose from the interior of the county for the selection of G. W. Langan as candidate for superior judge on the republican ticket. He was supported by the newspapers of Livermore, Haywards, Irvington, Alameda, Pleas- anton and Berkeley. The latter demanded a superior judge outside of Oakland.
The congressional contest was eventful and full of fusions and other surprises and apparent incongruities. The gold democrats had a large following in this county. The nomination of John M. Palmer for president met their approval and they prepared to put up a ticket and make a fight for place and power. Much complaint was made that although public improvement had been discussed for many years and had been pledged time and again by the various successful city tickets, nothing of consequence had been yet done-a great deal of money had been spent, but in such a meager and stinted fashion that the results were scarcely visible. Many wanted a large sum raised through bonding measures to make a notable advance in a vast and creditable system of improvements that would beautify the city and attract permanent residents. Many declared that the era of public improvement had arrived and that effective action on a large scale was the duty of the people to future generations. But the great mass of the people were still blind to the golden and glorious possibilities of coming decades-saw only the mercenary present. In fact there arose a decided movement for curtail- ment and retrenchment. Teachers' salaries were cut and other unwise steps taken. In September, 1896, the state board of equalization raised the assessment of Alameda county 5 per cent ; other counties were raised or lowered as seemed required by the board.
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