Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-27
THE PoLICAL SITUATION IN CAL
IFORNIA.


The prominence which has been,
given to the atfrsy between San iran
cisco editor and candidate for Mayor
is evidences OF desrth OF news and a
dull season. There is nothing soexcep-
tional IN the incident OF one man shoot
ing another, in the West, or in the posi-
ton. political or social, Of either OF the
parties. that should claim the attention
Of the Nation.
II was purely a personal controversy,
but one To which the public was in
duced to listen and take sides, much to
the discredit of the community, as well
as of the low-bred characters who fur
nished the entertainment. IL was the
legitimate result OF giving public coun-
tenance and sympathy to a personal
quarrel for political ends. rr
The only part of the quarrel that is OF
rem interest at this distance, is the in
sight it gives US into California politics.
The following review OF the situation is
given by the New York Times:
There are four political parties in the
State of neutrality-suspicious., Demo-
cratic. Workingmen's, or Kearneyite,
and New Constitution or Honorable
Bilks.n The latter organization sprang
out Of the unexpected success of the
new Constitution lately adopted by the
people. Kearney, the leader OF the
WOrkingmen, claimed almost exclusive
credit for his victory. He refused to
mite with any OF the politicians
who had also supported the new
Constitution in organizing par
Nv which should secure State
Offices as the latter fruits OF the victory
lust achieved at the polls. And when
be gave to the new party the name OF
"HonOrable Bilks,' the fitness Of the
epithet was instantly recognized, and
the title adhered. The sO-called New
Constitution Party is chiefly composed
OF ofice-seekers; and most OF its leaders
are old politicians who have held office
long since, and who wear, in courtesy,
the title of Honorable before their
names. The Honorable Bilks' made
no nominations for Congress. In san
Francisco they divided the municipal
ticket with the Democrats, Il joint COM
mittee OF the two parties having agreed
10 partition the nominations equally
between the two organizations. The
WOrkingmen's nominee Tor Mayor Is
the Rev. Isaac 5. kalloch, a man OF UNI
sayOry reputation, and who has been IN
the pulpit as violent and vituperatiye
as his great leader, kearney, has been
on the platform.
There is a deliberateness about this
whole business which sinks it to the
lowest level of brutal and vulgar quar-
reling. Neither OF the parties involved
therein have any social or political
standing. The community would not
mourn the etfectual silencing OF either
of them. DeGOung attacked kalloch's
private character, and that OF his father,
in fultillment of threat KallOch at
tackled DeYoung's private character,
and that OF his mother, in full
fillment of another threat. And
finally, to execute a threat, DeGOung
deliberately pursued and shot kaHoch.
The entire proceeding saVOrs OF the
baseness and filth OF the Slums. Ii hap
pened 10 be a political difference which
gave occasion for the explosion OF so
much unSavOry matter. But the facil-
ity with which both COmbatantS used
their instruments of OtienSe and defense
shows how familiar they are with this
mode of warfare ANY slight dispute
between the two men might have re-
suited in a similar malOdorOus ciiusIon.