New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-07-06
A PACIFIC COAST BOSS.
LEADER OF THE SAN FRANCISCO DEaOC-
RACY.

naon here suffered changes which worthy
| OF note. Republicans simply making quiet but
effective preparations for Of the liyciost campaigns
which State has for many years or course tho
chief nercst now centre, upon the action OF the Dem
ocrnts at Chicago few days after the Democratic
state Convention at Stockton the Presidential stock OF
Justice stephen j. Field declined heavily but some abo
ipuators have since been at work upon It, and IL
woud he surprise II number OF the California det
egates their tor Field after first ballot The
chief In bringing about this transformation has
been Chris Buckley the local boss who this year has
ventured outside of city politics and has evidently de-
tormned get hold Of the State patronage aud control IL
In the autOoratc way he has long controlled the dsr
button OF the local spolls Buckley IL peculiar character
and has often been compared John Kelly, whom no
resembles in many salient features. without however.
possessing the political genius which has made the New
York leader great power throughout tho Empire
Tie has been placed In charge OF Justice Fields
fight and few days ago started for Newly or, where 1t
Is said ho proposes hol consultations with Kelly aud
Others prior making the decisive struggle at Chicago
EVOLUTION or THE BOSS.
Buckley Is fine example Of the evolution Of the small
ward striker into tho powerful manager OF the machine
In large city and his personal history is singular
bs rapid advance In politics. He is New-Yorkor by
OF long residence there I'm bOyboOd and youth but
he was born in ireland. His father contractor.
and his uncle Richard Buckley. the wealthy builder
who died there recently. Young Buckley spent his life
in York until 1860 when at the Of eighteen he
came to this coast. lie began life strect-car
driver and he Continued in this business TOR several years
devoting all his spare time ward politics. He showed
snoh remarkable aptitude in wire pulling that he soon
doomed up formidable rival OF the local Democratic
boss Al Fritz The Inter quick to that Buck
Icy had many valuable qualities which he luckcd hence
he nado overtures for political partnership, which were
promptly accepted by the younger man. The two opeued
saloon which they made the Democratic eadlusrters
rpdu mood no nrioa ~ a WhiskPY-MhCh
always two bits" quarter " dollar to one
bit. Custom poured in them and was utilized TO
advance their power Among their other devices for
controlling the primaries in this city they hired lOdg
Ing and made it free campn ground for the
convcts just released from state prison at San Quentin
These men could counted do anything which the
leaders demandcd-from suing baOt-boSes to clearing
a hall OF troublesome malcOntents The two partners
ruled the city and pDrtoned out the patronage
THE BLIND AUTOCRAT.
FinallyFrtz succumbed to his great weakness-a
passion for quor-aud committed suicide in OF his
periodical debauchos. This OF the local sensa-
about four years because OF ts anomalous feat
ures The man. who giant in physical strength,
sed to order his haudcuf him. while he in
uuOr and chain him to the bed % at he could not steal
ont Of the house and get more whsley She left him
Thus nlpacled night and went TO the theatre When
she returned she found her husband had sUanged him
self in her absence rigging up ingenious gallows ont
Of the bel clothes OF Buckeys rivals tried 10
break down his strength when the head Of the firm
removed but they counted without the junior partner.
For time his fortunes seemed the wane. hut he
had 10 gained all the old ground and to-day he has
nrmer grip than ever Of the local machine. aud this
result ha, been accomplished in the face OF what would
be regarded insuperabe difficulties. For " Boss
Buckley il stone-bl has been tor than
years Chronic neuralgia ended IN the loss OF his eyes,
but even this naiCton had POWER to injure his skill
IA political manipulation aud the m nagement OF men.
Ind ed there who declare that he mas gained
new aubtlety since the loss o. his sight.
DEBAUCHNG LOCAL POLITICS
However this may be- he Is the dictator whose word Is
law in local Democratic councils. He has many enc
mics who frequently organize strong factions against
him. but h Invariably Oltgenerals them II Is strange
t to SEQ him led into political meeting by OF his
fathfu attendants. lie IS man OF medium size. about
forty years old, neatly dressed. with nothing In his ar
pcarluce 20 suggest the ward politician His face IL
good featured but expresonless; only the square
mouth coyerd by light mlstache gives any evidence
Of the force OF character which makes him
suoh awess crowd All tue meetings which he atteuds
are carried out on plan devised by him His ucuten
ants propose the measures which he wishes adopted
then when the Directors have had their say Buckley
rises states clearly and forcby the reasons for the
measure makes strong logical argument In the SIM
plcst English and generally sits down with the
that be has carried the vote OF the assemblagc In
hts speeches he resembles John Kelly ne wastes no
words, lie employs Iheturc he gets at the heart OF
u
which child could understand he stops HIS methods
methods viii IA have thrown the power In most
large American cs INTO the hands OF class OF profes
sonal politicians gamblers. gin-m keepers and Grim
lUas Tie has thoroughly debauche local politics III this
city, widereachng has been his influence that not
even The Pablo school Dep1rment-nSudliE Kept Iree
from p1ltlcshas escaped contamination. There could
w. Nv .ioo ~ it V,ri6iS Te'nncrtic 4"J
is that behind ali the office holders from the
Mayor down the smallest deputy, standr Buckley ru
ing al and eyying tribute from all lils personal ad-
her:us number only oneteuth part OF the Democratic
LII ;n o. tbe porty Vbat Rnckev may accomp,h in
state politics remains TO be lie can scarcely make
the Californian Democracy more corrupt and shameless
than il is now
TWO DEAD DEMAGOGUEs.
One OF the who did much as any other to de-
bauch political sentiment in this city Is exMayor Kali
loch. He haay spewed out by his party a
norsel strong for their stOmachs hs church
grew tired of him, and he went to the Northern Coast
fortune. Evidently he has not found It. as
he has recently appeared IN Portland and has declared
hts purpose Of coming down this city an running Tor
Mayor on an Independent ticket The proposition Is
almost udlcroua lie Is dead political quantity
could well Dc luna incd He shot into public Office AZ
time ~ great popular eXcemcnt he played the role
NJ friend Of the working along with that other
con summate hypOcrlte Denis Kearney lie fulfilled
Of his pledges when nc gained office; his administration
was notorious for corrupuOn; he left the Mayoraliy
stripped of the few rags and tatters OF reputation with
him to the votes Of decent people would be
Ike trying 90 heal ieper.
Denis keaney, the quondam agitator ana sometime
idol OF party which exists only Ia name mas more
G Jmmon sense than Kaoch. lie has decided TO ahan-
don pOlitics and lac IA making good living by sup
yIng households with irish servant girls In this way
he declares that the blow may be- inflicted on tho
Chinese cOOe. Whatever may be tho social result OF his
labOrs. thing is cortnhe Is earning an honestiye-
lihOod and the community Ia safe from the pestent
doctrines which he once upheld lie appears occasion
ally the historic sand ols but these Ike the asator,
are only shadow oil their former Importance