Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-23
A SCRAMBLE FOR PLACE.


1t is known that an effort will be made
to legislate Measrs. Belcher, Edgerton,
Freeman, Crane and Owen out of the
Trusteeship of the State Library. 1t can
not be urged that the public good demands
it, or that these gentlemen have been un-
faithful. The real object is to obtain four
places for party friends, such being within
the patronage Of the Board. The RECORD
UNION has been the constant opponent of
all similar schemes, without regard to
party, and has been subjected to unfriendly
and bitter criticism in the past from pro-
fessed political friends because of its course
in that respect. It is the avowed enemy
of the spoils system, in whatever guise
presented. We are not, therefore, open to
the charge of political bias in protesting
against the removal of the gentlemen
named. There is no question as to their
ability or the manner in which they have
discharged their trust. There is no pre-
cedent for the action contemplated. The
prevailing party in the Legislature of 1881
refused to exercise the power it possessed
to shorten the terms of the Democratic
Trustees, and Democrats and Republicans
stood together in defense of the re-
fusal. The Code fixes the term at
four years. Boards were chosen in 1870
IA rs and 1881, and retained their ap-
pointees without abridgement of term, and
no Legislature was found willing to consent
to such an act as is now proposed, and
which can only be done by mutilation Of
the Code. We have had the curiosity to
examine the journals for striking in.
stance in point. In 1874 the Legislature
elected three Democrats and two Republi.
cans to the Board, 1l9 legislators voting,
requiring 60 to elect. There were seated
~ Democrats, 3S Republicans and 50 hide.
pendents. OF these, 25 party Republicans
and Is Independent Republicans voted
with the ~ Democrats, and the Trustees
chosen received from "a to 81 votes. In
1880 the Legislature concurred in mi
nority report of the Library Committee of
the House, declaring that no good end was
to be attained by abridging the term, and
that the power of the State ought not to
be used to further personal ends. The
term of the present Board does not expire
until 1856, and it should not be disturbed
in the meantime. 1t IS with some hopeful
satisfaction that in this instance Demo-
cratic authorities may be cited in advocacy
of right principle. Acknowledging the
necessary aid of Republicans in defeatingth the
Library -spoils scheme in 1880, the Examiner
then said, "These gentlemen acted honor.
ably, and the Democrats and all other good
citizens will not forget their action" The
Dixon Tribune of the 20sh inst, whose
editor was a Democratic member in the
session of 1881, says: eve yield to no
man in our devotion to Democratic princi-
pies, but we are unalterably opposed to
any special legislation for the purpose of
kicking out Republicans whose official con-
duct has been exemplary in every respect,
and who are clearly entitled to serve out
the full term for which they were appoint
ed. AS a minority member of the last
Legislature we fought hard against this
principle, and we propose to be consistent
at this time by warning the Democratic
leaders of both houses that they have no
right to imperil the prospects of the party
for no worthier purpose than to provide a
comfortable position for friend"
The San Jose Times of the goth takea
occasion to say Bills to abolish certain
Boards, and then recreate them with
slight notifications, do not prove the sim
certify of those who introduce and vote for
them, yet were elected on platform that
condemns the degrading party contests to
the debasing level of mere scramble for
the petty offices, etc. j"
1t remains to be seen how the party in
power will act in the premises. We enter.
tain the hope that it will take more en-
lightened view OF the matter than some of
the legislation proposed indicates.