The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-06-23
DENIS KEAKNEY.

DENIS Kearney, of San, Francisco
Sand-lot notoriety. after a period OF
Information extending over several
years, blossoms out again, coming with
the announcement that he will Re the
workingmen's candidate for the COVER
norship OF California next year. His
platform will be the proposition that
municipalities have the right to fix the
hours that shall constitute day labor.
1t makes very little difference upon
what platform Kearney stands-there
are not two days for him and he has
had his one. go aZE3 TIRs
People invariably wonder over man
ike Kearney; they do not understand
how an ignorant, vulgar fellow, without
brains or education, and who
is personally repulsiye to men, can
attract crowds, and arouse men
who are in every respect his superiors,
to action. The matter is easy enough
of comprehension when the circum-
stances are taken into account. When
Kearney came to the surface few
years ago, the conditions existed that
made revolution not only probable but
necessary. 1t could not be avoided.
For years political, social and industrial
affairs in California had been going to
the bad. Corporations had complete
control of the State; the party politics
OF the community was what the rich
companies wanted it TO be; as natural |
ana certain consequence, the govern
ment was corrupt; officials owed their
place to the corporations whom they
served rather than the people; the adj
was in the interest of the
combinations of capital, and not for the
benefit and protection of the many.
While there was corruption in author
Ity, and money made and admin
lstered the laws, there came period of
industrial depression; labor became
scarce and as is always the case at such
times, was not well paid. The discon- !,
tent among the poorer classes was gen.
eral and without any effort on the part {
OF Individuals would have broken out;
hearney was simply one of the oppressed l
and suffering people. but little more
violent and aggressive than, his fellows, ii
and little less respectful to the laws
ana the constituted authority; he talked 1
aloud, and those who like him were s,,f-
1erers, rallied round the fellow because [
he was first to speak and give them EN-
couragement to be brave and defiant.
They despised the man, and in their
right minds would have been ashamed
to be found in his presence. 1t was the
peoples cause not Kearney himself that
brought the latter into prominence, and I,
for the hour made him famous. When i
society is in its normal condition, and I
there IS nothing to arouse the passions
OF the people. Denis Kearney can be i
nothing but an ignorant boor, low in q
his associations and aspirations and yul- Q
gar in his instincts and actions. In Cal IL
fernia to-day there is but one place for G
hearney, and that is the position for n
Which his physique fits him. The pol Il
teal evils which aroused the people
ew years since and caused them In
lerd under the blatherskite, do not h
xist now, and the distress and suffer- T,
ng which then prevailed cannot be N
ound. The want of intelligence in the re
nan is shown by his announcement s.
hat ne viii enter the lists as an agitator h.
time when there is no occasion Tor h,
citation, and there is nothing to be BE-
one that he can do. There viii be no in
allyang around the fellow now. and the
My notice that he will attract will be
nat OF contempt for his ignorance and
resumption. ar
Sc
ir