Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-12-29
MONEY IN POLITICS.

Mr.. Assemblyman Swift was elected to
his position as an Independent, beating
both the Democratic and Republican op-
position, in which respect he stands alone
ofthe eighty members of the Assembly.
From the anomalous position held by
Mr.. Swift he has no political axes to
grind, he owes nothing whatever to party.
Mr.. Swift, then, is in a position to use the
opportunities offered him by the Office he
holds through the favor of the people of
San Francisco, TO study up and father
legislation aimed at the corruption of the
right Of the elective franchise which, were
he the representative of either of the po-
litical parties he might not ieel so much
at liberty to do. We think Mr.. Swift
will not throw away his chances but that
the legislation Of the present session will
show where he has been the moving pow
er in working some needed reforms. 1T
certainly will, if the other mem bers CT the
Legislature have the courage to back him
up.
One ofthe steps taken by Swift is aimed
at the "piece clubs" These piece clubs
are an outgrowth of the political condi-
tion Of things at the Bay City. They run
their politics there on widely different
scale from the simple manner in which we
do such things in the mountains. Here
our two Conventions, Republican and
Democratic meet, make their nomina-
tions and the candidates canvass theccun-
ty. We need little reform in these mat
ters ourselves, but these reforms, with us,
are reforms to be effected by change of
custom rather than by law. But in San
Francisco, in addition to the two great
parties which contend for the control of
the city, a most of mushroom parties
spring up on :he eve Of every local cleo
ton, and when the election is over, they
are heard of no more. They assume all
shapes but the main object in al is to
make as much out Of the candidates as
possible. A certain candidate who has
received his party nomination, is informed
that he has been endorsed" by such and
such club Of such and such party, and
this notice is accompanied by the Motif
cation that he has also been assessed"
for certain amount, TO pay .he "expen-
ses" Of the party. Nine times out Of ten
the money will he paid, for a candidate
once fairly embarked in a canvass hates
to lose point that promises well for his
interest. Then the "club" divides the
money and its membe DO as they please
about voting. Mr.. Swift's bill is design
ed TO remedy such swindling, but like all
measures O.. reform character ii is more
sweeping in its provisions than to just
barely cover the ground ofthe main thing
aimed at. 1t proposes to do away with
the system OF assessments now usually
levied, and leave it for the candidates
themselves to say in what proportion ard
in what manner each candidate shall pay
the expenses Of the election. While Mr..
Swift's bill may be made to reach Il cry
some respects, but if the good will over
balance the evil it will be for the best.
The county committees in the interior
counties levy their assessments upon the
candidates for the Legitimate purposes Of
an election, the printing Of tickets, etc.
But Mr.. Swift's bill strikes at genuine
evil here as well. True, we have no
"piece clubs" but any man who has ever
run for leading position knows that it is
no uncommon thing TO find "piece men,"
Some eight years ago when the Office of
Sheriff was a bone Of contention, when
from the "stealings" popularity supposed
TO be in the office, the lucky man obtain
ing n nomination with good chances in
bis favor felt bound to scatter golden
twenties literally to help his work along,
there was strong talk Of organizing a
piece club on an extensive scale. The
plan was TO find one hundred men who,
for given sum each would promise TO
vote solid for any one candidate who
would come to their terms. What the
politics of that candidate was did not
matter. As one Of them said "They go
after the office for the stenings there is in
it we don't care whether the thief is
Democrat or Republican, but we want IL
share in the stealings." And it was fair
logic. With the abolition of the Foreign
Miners License law, the business of tho
Sherifis office is legitimate one aud so
recognized. But for that and every other
county Office worth anything at all, can
ddate will find plenty of piece men.
The bill Of Mr.. Swift will legislale that
kind OF men out OF existence, by making
1t forfeiture Of Office for any candidate
to influence vote IN his own behalf in
that manner. We nope the measure will
pass, for everything which tends to puri-
fy the ballot. box should receive tho sup
port of all good citizens. We wish fur
ther more, that the pernicious system of
electioneering, riding over county from
one end to the other, drinking bad whisky
and inviting others to do the same, could
be wholly eliminated from our political
customs, but that would be asking too
much. But if the bill OF the Independent
Assemblyman from San Francisco, is
passed, substantially in its present shape,
it will be long step in that direction.
-.