The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-09-23
SAN FRANcIsCo,Sept. ID. Is

To the Editor OF tho o. kingIoar's Advocate.
The result Of the California election il
not without its lesson, though many seem
to be surprised; but when the causes are
properly considered tie problem is not SO
difficult Of solution and | propose to
solve it in my own way for the benefit Of
your numerous readers. -Four years ago,
Governor ii. Fl. Haigbt was the nominee
Of the Democratic party and elected by
over 5000 majority since then Grant car
RED the State by about 500, and now the
Republicans have carried it by over 1000.
THE FIRST RULING CAUSE
Of this change is 10 be found 10 the contest
between the Irish and the Germans. The
trisn wers loud in their praises Of the
hfr'ach during [beir late war. The Ger
sisns W the nidst of their rejoicings at the
success Of their own country, chated at
finding the numerous Irish voters 10 favor
of the FreI CD, and however unwise it may
be, the German Democrats forsook their
party aud principles to spite their national
opponents. so that here on American soil
we had a spiteful contest between Ireland
and Germany, both Of whom should sink
nationality into American citizenship when
they get here, and take tie oath of alle-
giance--hOwever, We are not to expect
perfection in humanity.
THE CoLoRED CITIZENS,
for the first time, cast their vote, which in
creased the Republican strength perhaps
1000. Even this was partially divided,
for there were few Of them working for
the DelIocratic party. Our vote in the
city has been increased from 81, 900 to
$4,000, or little more; this does not
show a great increase in our population
when we consider the number of young
men who have for the first time cast vote.
The Chinese workmen have driven away a
great number of our mechanics and other
laboring men, large majority Of whom
were Democrats.
EVERY ADMINISTRATION COMMITS ITS
ERRORS,
and that of Governor Haight's is not ex-
empt 1t is one Of the most difficult
things in the world to steer clear Of the
influence of the opposite party, nor is it
right that minorities should be treated like
step children. Gov. Haight was inclined
to that impression, ard one Of the first
things be did for them was to sign
LOTTERY BILL,
BY which to raise money and establish
upon firm basis the ''Mercan lie Library"
owned and carr ed on y Leading Republi-
cans; all were in favor Of it; even the
devout members of churches loosened their
religious draw strings, permitting wrong to
be done that good might come of i. Be-
tween two and three hundred thousand
dollars were cleared the morals of our
people were changed to a gambling mania,
and those who bought tickets and drew
blanks cried ont, 'shame on the Governor"
who had evidently signed an unconstitutiOn-
al bill. His opponents used it to effect.
They said, and properly, too, ''ifa man
has not the back bone to resist the entreat-
les of friends, and will do wrong to please
them, be is notsa safe man for Cove, nor"
Such reasoning was resistless, and bis
friends could not defend him in the signing
of an unconstitutional bill. The effect was
serious in another direction the WORKING
men are largely in the majority; the library
could not be used by them; it is too fine
and formal for their working clothes they
bought tickets and lost, and then felt that
it was tax upon the poor for the benefit Of
the rich, and in expressing their opinions
they were even unwilling to divide the re
sponsibility between the Governor and the
Legislature. The Mechanics Institute
has brary working against poverty to
maintain its existence and be useful to the
working classes; it is controlled BY Re
publicans, and they were not slow in com
planning that no effort was made to extend
that religious gambling for the benefit Of
their library, and there was too much good
common sense and justice in the reasoning
TO bold their readers votes for Governor
Haight. The Governor is the chief and
they held him as such, and made him bear
tie errors Of both parties.
THE BOARDS OF STREET COMMISSIONERS
is an sore to the people-the whole
people outside of themselves. A street is
10 be opened instead of it's becoming the
duty Of the municipal government, COM
mission Of three are appointed by law !;
they each get from $3.50 to $500 per
month. These are given to rich men the
clerks! and engineers do the work, and they