Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-04-17
. rwaNspARENT TRICK.

IUt lily Va eAAO
California Legislature in regard to the
passage Of anti.railroad measures has
become Enthusiastically apparent. 1t has
passed one bill and will doubtless pass
three or four others covering the com
plants of the people directed mainly
against the Central Pacific railroad fol
lodging its taxes and discriminating IN
freight and fare charges. What the
Senate will do in the premises, is uncer'
tain. The questions involved are full Of
~technicalities and reach out into law in
all directions. They are difficult to
handle and are not of immediate interest
to our people in Nevada. For these OBJ
vious reasons, we have not the impulse,
and we lack the familiarity with them
that is necessary for intelligent discus
sion, of what the California Legislature
ought or ought not to do with its anti
monopoly bills.
But this much is clear to the most
casual reader of the reports from the
California Legislature that appear in
the San Francisco newspapers, and the
fact should be noted on account of its
general political bearing. Our Repub-
lican friends in Nevada are trying to
make capital out of the predicted mis-
takes and shortcomings of the special
session of the Legislature at Sacra-
mento; and they endeavor to encourage
themselves with the assurance that the
Democracy are going to lose the State
this Fall by the "mess" they are making
of the special legislation now in pro-
gress. This may possibly be the re-
suit, but we do not believe it. On the
contrary, we have an abiding conf
dence that any bills that may be passed
by the California Legislature now will
not injure the Democratic party with
the people, but will tend rather to make
the State still stronger for the Democ-
racy in the approaching campaign.
Now, as to the responsibility for fail
ure, is the Republican minority to go
free of blame if the Legislature does not
accomplish what is reasonable or what
is expected by the people? This question
is ignored entirely by our Republican
friends?
What are the facts? One very
important and conspicuous fact is
that most of the Republican members
of the California Legislature appear in
the role of obstructionists. They show
no disposition to attend to their legisla-
tive duties, but have formed themselves
into a crowd to thwart the aim Of the
special session, in order thereby to place
the Democratic party. of the State,
through their representatives, in a false
position. They are at Sacramento right
now laughing at the solemn oath which
they took as Lawmakers of the people,
and devoting all their energies and in.
genuity to balk the Democrats, who are
in the majority in both Houses. If they
can do this and make political thunder
out of it, then to the devil with the peo-
Pile and bipartisan laws.
The Democrats are to be held RESPONSE
BILE for an abortive special legislative ses-
sion on account Of their majority in each
House. This is a good general rule.
But another fact should not be lost
sight of, for it goes far towards modify
ing the rule, if it is not clearly an excep.
tion to it.
The Republicans actually hold the bal
ance of power in the Senate, in which
body, it now appears, the crucial test
will be made. If they would combine
with those Democratic Senators who are
in sympathy with the Assembly, the bills
passed by the latter body would be passed
by the Senate and become the laws Of
California.
If these bills are defeated it will be
because the Republican members of the
Legislature acted as obstructionists; be-
cause they. for purely partisan reasons,
or because they are opposed to anti-mo'
nopoly legislation. rendered it impossible
for the Democrats to pass them.
The Republican minority hold the key
to the situation. They can't throw il
away and escape from a single per cent
of their one-half responsibility to the
people of California.
The trick is too transparent.