Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-10-05
ALMOST A SCRATCH.

The people of Trinity County, and
many even among the gentleman's most
ardent admirers, May well be surprised
to learn that Hon. W. j. Tlnnin came
within one vote of being elected Presi-
dent of the Constitutional Convention
Astounding as it may seem TO those who
know him best, such is nevertheless the
fact. Politics" we have long been told
make strange bed-fellows, :" and it does
seem a little odd to find Mr.. Tinnin re-
ceiving the unanimous vote of the Kear-
ney element in the Convention. But we
are disposed to be charitable in the mat
ter and presume that DR.. O'Donnell, Mr..
Beerstecher and other eommunistic
leaders thought Mr.. Tinnin less object
ionsbe TO themselves and moro likely to
favor their views than was his successful
competitor, Col. Jos. p. Hode, Of San
Francisco. Why they should have
thought so, we are at loss to know but
the fact which indicates as much remains,
and had "the gentleman from Trinity
been elected to the high and honorable
station which his "vaultiag ambition"
doubtless coveted, he would have owed
his success directly to the "Ke.rnoy
gang"
How Tinnin became candidate, or
what induced him to remain in the field
with the vote of only about one tenth of
the Convention in lis favor, are among
those things which, probably, "no fellow
never can find out" 1t is at least fair
presumption 10 assume tnat there are
certain rules Of courtesy, even among
professional Politicians, which it would
be deemed ungcnerous, not 10 say un-
gentleman ~, to disregard. Col Hoge
YVES IN fact the nominee of the non parti-
san caucus-or consultation of non-part.
sans, Democrat and Republicans, which
answered every purpose Of a caucus ex
cept that participants were not directly
pledged TO support the nominees although
they were expected to do so. Mr. Tnnn
was elected on the same ticket with Col.
Ho ge he was instrumental IN getting
up the caucus, called il to order and nom
insted its presiding officer. Taking such
Il leading part in tho assembage which
Endorsed Col. Hoge, we we're certainly
surprised to find Mr.. Tinnn candidate
IN opposi ion to him, particularly when
has name was not even mentioned in the
caucus. Ou: o. l40 Delegates, Mr.. Tin
min received only II votes up to the 9th
ballot; still he did not withdraw although
Henry LaFkin, the Workingmen's nomi-
nee, had 40 aud Hoge Y. After the 4th
ballot Mr.. Larkiu's name was withdrawn
and on the 9Th his entire strength went to
Tinnin who then had in all 70 against "A
for Col. j. p. Hoge, who was declared
elected.
The choice made by the Convention,
was by far the best. Ti7nin should re-
jolce at his own defeat. Under the cir
cumstanres, an election would have plac-
cd him in an unenviable position. Made
President by the vote Of the representa-
tives of Party which he has opposed
since its inception, he would have been
compelled to either do violence to his own
principles and utterances, or have turned
his back upon those who had elevated
HIM to the dignity Of pre,iding officer.
However, he would not have been the
first man "a bOn oa uub.ur1.d ON, Hill,
has placed in y false position. II was n
cloud call, " aud much nearer than most
men ever come to being envslsped in
blaze Of glory.