Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-09-09


The standard Bearers.
The Conventions have made thei
choice and submitted them for tn
approval OF their respective parties
As to Washington Bartlett, VIII
heads the Democratic ticket, no NOR
popular nomination was ever made
The Alta gives his biography a
follows:
Hon. Washington Bartlett, TIN
Mayor OF San francisco, who hai
been selected by the Democratic Stat,
Convention for the leading place OF
their State ticket, was born in Savan
nah, Georgia, February 20, 1924. He
received u good education IN his ma
tive State, and in early life he moved
10 Tallahassee, Florida, where hie
first venture in business was made as
journalist. lie remained in thai
city until 1s49, when he caught the
gold fever and came to California
early In 1850. thus making him a
pioneer. He began business at once,
and has the honor Of publishing the
first daily newspaper In San Fran
cisco. For ten years he confined
himself strictly to his chosen work,
and his strength OF purpose is shown
by striving 10 acquire II competency
by legitimate means ms cad Of rush
ing to the mines like SO many other
pioneers. lie was successful in his
sfforts, and from the first was recog.
piaed as a safe man, and possessed Of
those sterling qualities that stand the
test OF time and trials. In 1889 he
entered political life, aud was elected
County Clerk OF the city and county.
His conduct in office was snch as to
insure his reelection In 1861 and
1867. In 1870 he was honored by an
appointment by Governor Irwin as n
member OF the State Board OF Har
Dor Commissioners, to fill vacancy
caused by the death of James IL.
Austin, and he served two years
Promotion followed at once, and the
next year Mr.. Bartlett was elected
State Senator for the full term. In
1882 he was selected by the Demo
cratic party ~ the candidate for Mayor
OF San Francisco, and his good for
tune followed him, for he defeated
Hon. NJ. Q. Blake, the Republican
nominee, by a majority OF 1926
votes. In 1884 he was reelected b..
a majority OF 1884.
That is an honorable record
Bartlett's is winning name. In
1884 he was elected Mayor albeit
Blaine's National ticket carr ed that
city by 1870 majority, Bar tlett ran
ahead OF his ticket by 6,i0t votes.
So clear has he been ir his great
otlice, and in all the OH ces he has
ever held that political animosity
ever bitter enough, has found no slil
on which to wag the ton que OF Islander
All his opponents can say is that she
is not magnetic, he cannot take the
stump in his own behalf, he may have
made good Mayor, but the Govern
orship is very different proposition. y
Mr.. Bartlett's two terms as Mayor oil
q great city have proven him capable
Of q great deal. lie found the city
treasury plunged in n deficit of $780,
900. He would not allow of the issu-
ing of bonds, be asked no special tax
to be levied. By sound financiering
and an honest administration of az
fairs he brought the city through and
left her at the end OF the second yeai
with a surplus of $4,000 in hand.
He attacked the Spring Valley Water
Company, which owed the city
100000 delinquent taxes, which he
forced the giant monopoly to disgorge
The twin gas monopoles made a
combination and raised the price OF
gas from 81 so to 1925 per thousand
Bartlett vetoed the bill and had hi
veto sustained, thus saving many
thousands of dollars per month L
gas consumers. His is a record with
out blotch, q record OF marked
ability in every line he has entered
upon. His is popular record as is
vouched for in the fact that his nam,
is Always sure omen of success
whenever he has stood for Office.
Although it might be said with a
much truth as it is said in the case oil
Bartlett, no fair minded and in
telligent opponent will aver that Mr.
Swift is intellectually weak. Iii
strongest point is the weakest one
in his opponents character, an,
Bartletts strongest point is MI
Swift's weakest. Bartlett is MAJ
OF fine executive ability and fine
financier. Mr.. Swift is perhaps a
more fluent speaker, being a lawyer
bred and trained to forensic debate.
He has never been in any situation
to cali out or trim him in executive OF
financial affairs. While he is fair
speaker, he is not a magnetic one,
and his less eloquent opponent would
create more enthusiasm than
Swift. Goodness is of the very os-
sence of Mr.. Swiit's character. While
Bartlett set on foot the first daily pa
per in the new State and worked hard
at it for ten years, while he served
the people in many arduous capaei-
ties with marked ability and unwav-
ering fidelity. aiding in all ways in
laying the foundation, building up
the superstructure and adjoining the
grand edifce which this State has at
tanned to be, Mr.. Swift has been
"hrst, last and all the time for Swift. y
He is not merely cold, he is coldly
selfish. He volunteered his services
TO aid in suit against the water
company and then brought in a mod.
est bill for $25 900. When payment
was refused he got elected to the
Legislature and during his term
rolled bill through to pay himsel
for those services, When he a
length secured his $25, 900 he wen
off to Europe and spent it on himself
There is no element Of popularity
about Swift. To win he must win by
force other than personal considera
tions.
He is most weak with his Owl
party. He is a chronic bolter. HI
defeated the party nominee for Con
gress in 1875 by running as an indie
pendent. When asked to help in tn
Perkins campaign in 1879, he re
fused in the most positive terms
This is the objectionable sin in