Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-10
AMERICAS POCKET BoRoUGH.
The Men Who Own IL and How they
Rum Tt-Jones vs.. Fair.

CARSON CITY. AMN.s dNDb 1N--AAS
retrorressive state OF Nevada is mainly
dominated by the mining camps on the
Comstock. and the Comstock is chiefly
owned in san Francisco; so that, pr8ct-
cally, Nevada is bus borough held Boy
suoh shrewd, wealthy, and ambitious
politicians Of san Francisco as care to
control IT. With the single exception of
James W. Nye, it has always been re-
presented in the United States Senate by
men whose actual residence is san Fran
cisco.
Nevada was admitted into the Union as
g State before lis population numbered
the minimum fixed for representation iG
the Rouse of Representatives Ii never
has had the ur0pulauon which would
constitute a Representative district IN
any STATE entitled 10 two Or more Repre-
sentstives in Congress. There are q
number Of wards in the city % New York
which contain more population than
Nevada ever could boast; and vet, ever
since Is admission into ihe niou, Ne
VaGa has heen renresentoG DO C0aartss ~
two3enators and r. preventative. There
never were l0,009 people, including lima
men and Ind ans not taxed. iu all the
state. The census OF 1870 gave il d
population Of AZ, 49l. The great boom
which followed the discovery Of The big
bonanza materially increased these
figures. so that the euumer8tors Of 1880
found 62. 266 living human beings in the
Stale. But since the big bonanza petared
out the population has been disappearing
until now there are probably no more
there than N 1870
At the Presidential election in 1872
Nevada cast grand total Of 1869 votes
in 1876 there were cast 1851, in 1850 the
total was lS,3s5, and in 1884 The number
fell of TO l2,797-a smaller vote than had
been polled in u years. And YET these
II, 1917 voters have an equal voice IN the
United State Senate with the millions OF
the state Of New y ork, and have one vote
in the House Of Representatives. Aud
whys Because Il was necessary origin
ally, in 1850. in order 10 pass The anti
slavery amendment 10 the Federal con-
stliuuOp, and now the wealthy mining
men OF san Francisco profit by it, 10
helps them IN "A multitude OF WAYS. but
principally in their business They are
shrewd fellows, those bonanza kings and
silver princes.
II Is a mystery TO many people how
these san Rranciscans manage 10 control
the politics OF state OF which they are
not even residents. But the mystery
L
besides owning an there is worth pos
sesslng in the borough whose voters are
principally their employees, they have
community Of interest ia the affairs OF the
State. Thus its political expression is usu-
ally arranged IN advance in some con-
Venient room in the Nevada Rank build
ing in San Francisco. and orders are sent
thence To the mining bosses to instruct
the men to vote for Smith, Brown, or Rob-
Inson, as the case may be.
The campaign Of last year best Illus
trates how the thing is done, and at the
same time shows how the best laid
schemes Of mice and politicians may
sometimes 20 astray. The term Of Senator
Jones was expiring. and the Legislature
TO be elected last November would be
called upon 10 choose his successor.
Jones was anxious TO succeed himself
but Just at that time he Was somewhat
run down at the heel financially, and not
IN condition 10 make vigorous contest
to secure the Legislature, as is some
times done, even in that pocket borough.
Jones is a Republican. His colleague,
Fair, is a Democrat, and bad been
Tiumphsntly elected two years before ut
considerable cost Fair had pledged the
electoral vote OF the State 10 the Demo
Gratis, and being an honorable man was
DESTROYS OF redeeming his pledge. To do
so would endanger Jones' reelection,
which be did not care TO do. nor were the
other parties in interest willing 90 have
it done. Jones, though uncOmf0rtably
short on the millions, was nevertheless
well thought Of bv those who had millions.
and was recognized as tone Of US" only
temporarily embarrassed, and fully in
sympathy with those who were not en-
barrassed. Fair WAS long in his bank
account and able 10 buy up every voter ia
the State II necessary; but he was per-
fectly satisfied to have Jones reelected,
only he insisted On the electoral vote for
Cleveland and Hendricks. And SO an ar
rangement was concluded, by the terms
OF which the Legislature to be elected
should be Republican, but the popular
vote was 20 be Democratic. This arrange
ment was approved by, OF at least made
known 90, the respective national com
mittees, and presumably men with their
approval, since no objection was ever
heard.
IL happened during the progress Of the
that Senator Fair went up 10
Virginia City on mining business. This
fact came 90 the knowledge Of Senator
Jones, who WAS greatly disturbed thereat,
and Immediately communicated the fact
Jones undoubtedly thought that FAIRS
y
possibly beat him. The National Com
mittee evidently imblbed some Of Jones
suspicious. for they az once telegrsphed T
90 John w. MackaY. who happened at
the time 10 be in san Francisco, and +
asked him 90 get Fair away from Nevada /
Mackay promptly packed his gripsack +
and started IN search Of his slippery I
partner Within three days he brought +
Fair back 10 san Francisco, and peace, /
with mutual confidence. WAS restored.
But the result OF the election showed /
that II shenanigan was played by any, /
body. 20 must have been by the Republl- I
can friends Of senator Jones. for not only F.
was a Republican Legislature elected ac- |
cording 20 agreement, bat the popular /
vote OF the State was given for Blaine I
by 1900 majority, counter 70 the agree /
menI.
10 is now just a little possible that the I
entente c0riiule OF these mining princes Is I
destined 20 an early disturbance, and that .
the pocket borough IS 90 be given over 20 .
a cold hooded contest four years hence.
John W. Mackay, who has hitherto
sschewed active politics, though nomi-
naly Republican, is SAID TO have
Wearied OF mere mOney-gettiug and has
become ambitious Of political hOnOrs.
Naturally he looks 20 Nevada as the APP
pr0priate field for his essay in that line.
His friends have already thrown out hints
that he will be candidate Tor United
state senator 20 succeed Fair Though
Mackay and Fair made their money IN
partnership aud have always been in