Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-28
THE SANTA BARBARA TRAGEDY.

..-z.---<~.s.n-.z-r=an=.s
THE SANTA BAR SARA TRAGEDY.
In the current news of the day is cir
cumstautal account of the murder of
Theodore Clancy, the editor of the Santa
Barbara Press, by one Clarence Gray. 1t
appears that the latter had been nominated
by the Republican Convention OF that
county for the office of District Attorney.
Clancy, editor OF the Press, commented
on the unftness of this nomination. He
declared in substance that it was nomina.
ton not fit to be made. When the first
unfsvorable comment appeared IN the
Press, Gray met Clancy and threatened
that if any further unfavorable comments
appeared in his paper the town would not
hold them both. When the second criti-
cism appeared Gray soon afterwards met
Clancy, and on inquiring if he was the
author of the unfayorable comments,
shot him fatally, the latter only
living few hours. The comment OF
Clancy on the nomination of Gray
touching his fitness for office, for greater
exphcitness, is here quoted. Referring to
the question pending III the Supreme Court
as to the possible failure of county cleo
lions this year, Clancy said mot the
least of these in this county is the fact
that the Republicans here will be relieved
of the necessity of defeating their candi-
date for District Attorney. The nomina-
ton was disgraceful in every respect, and
while it is extremely disagreeable for
earnest Republicans to take such a course
in a Presidential year, there is no differ
ence of opinion among those who have the
good of the party at heart. They are con-
WINGED that all such candidates should be
beaten and Republican Conventions taught.
if they do not realize it already, that the
decent people of Santa Barbara county
Will not submit to having the officers OF
the law chosen from among the hoodlums
and law breakers.
There is nothing IN this criticism which
an honest editor might not legitimately
make Ii it was just it was what ought
to have been said. If there was any error
OF inference, an invulnerable man would
not be hurt by it. Adverse newspaper
criticism does not often hurt candidate
who is fit to be nominated. But it is very
damaging to these who are not fit for Office.
Many a candidate of the latter sort has sue
ceeded in obtaining nomination. He has
button-holed delegates, and by untiring
persistence has succeeded IL bringing
over a majority to his support. That Is
Just the way bad nominations are made.
Most OF the corrupt candidates creep into
office through Nominating Conventions
which exact pledges that all the nominees
shall be supported, both good and bad-an
obligation which might require the support
of a horse.thief, counterfeiter or muir
derer, if there was no opportunity to review
such selections and expose their unfitness.
When a man seeks nomination he puts
his character in issue. 1t is legitimate
subject for discussion, so far as it relates to
his fitness for office. He challenges the
Judgment of the public touching his fitness
for the place. 1t is the legitimate business
of the press to discuss these qualifications,
and if it is known that the candidate is I'M
fit for the position. to say so III language
which cannot be mistaken. But in going
to this extent there is no warrant for hit
ting below the belt. The family matters of
the candidate, who his relatives might be
or their antecedents, are not legitimate
subjects OF comment. 1t does
not appear that Clancy went be-
yond the limits of an honest and
journalist. he believed
that Cray was al upfs man for
the office sought, and stated the grounds
OF his belief Ii Cray had been really
law. breaker he was not fit for so response
BILE an Office as that of District Attorney.
A contemporary cites numerous instances
of Gray's conduct which 20 to show his
liter unfitness for tie Office. The crown.
ing instance is that he confronted the jour
L. l., l,,t,, b ho
by declaring his urtitness, and killed him.
1t was "a singular illustration OF Santa
Barbara justice that the slayer, who will
be called to stand trial for MUIR
der. was allowed to 60 on the nominal bail
of So, 000 The victim in this instance
was man of excellent character, well
known to the newspaper profession as a
news and business agent-a man who had
served his country with honor in critical
times, and who was serving the public
honorably as the editor of local paper.
He stood in the way of the election OF an
unfit man for office, and was assassinated
for that service. The
license Of the press can always be re-
strained by the prompt enforcement OF the
law. But wholesome criticism touch
ing the fitness of candidates ought
not to be restrained. The more I'M
fit candidates lully and threaten and 90
up and down the streets with pistols and
blud geons, the more resolute and fixed
ought to be thepurpose of every honest edi-
tor to make a thorough exposure to the
public Of their lack of proper qualifications.
That is the just province Of the local
Journal Bad men will not like it. They
want the statute of limitations to run
against their record so effsctually that
nothing shall be said about it. 1t is better
that now and then an honest editor should
be killed in the discharge OF his duty, than
that public offices should swarm with cor
rupt men. Look at the local records of
MERGED and Kern counties, where long
list of county officers have been indicted,
one or more judges, and omittiDg
one or more who ought to have been in
dicted. What other way is there Of arrest
ing such wholesale corruption in Office thar
by the prompt exposure of unfit candi.
iltes Clancy did his duty at the cost OF
his life. He has insured the defeat at least
II one bad candidate for Office but his
life was worth too much to himself and to
nis family, to say that the public has now
10 duty to perform. -[Sau Francisco Bull
etin, September 9th.
: HANvzRs GLYcsRoLs or iTAR, for coughs and |