Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-03-24
The senatorial nomination.

We can we'll understand that the
task devolving upon Governor Stone
man to appoint successor to Senator
Miller is one OF the most delicate and
difficult he has had to deal with dur
ing his administration. He is con-
ironted, in making this nomination,
with a series of questions each OF
which is important in itself, and the
whole bearing with great Significance
--both on Federal and State politics,
The addition OF Democratic Senator
to the United States Senate may have
very marked influence upon many
questions of political and quasi
political character-especially in the
close division of parties in that cham
Der. But the immediate effect of any
appointment that may be made upon
the Democratic prospects in this State
is an aspect of the question which
cannot but exercise powerful influ-
ence upon the Governor in making
his selection. The name of Mr.. Del
mas has been urged upon the atten-
ton Of the Executive with more per-
tinacity and earnestness than that OF
any other gentleman who stands
within the circle of possible nomina-
ton. The reasons advanced by the
friends of Mr.. Delmas are weighty
and cannot be lightly set aside. AS
the central figure battling in the
courts for the railroad taxes claimed
by the State, he has become con-
spicuous as the champion in the legal
arena of material policy Of the
Democratic party in this State. That
policy was proclaimed by the San
Jose platform, and reiterated in no
uncertain tones by the Stockton
convention. But with all the promi-
nence Mr.. Delmas has thus attained,
il cannot be denied that it has carried
with it the offensiveness which has
been attributed to that convention and
which has resulted in strong fac
tional opposition inside the party.
One great object, doubtless, OF the
Governor in nominating a United
States Senator will be to exercise that,
high prerogative as much as possible
in favor of harmonizing the party,
and strengthening it by unity for the
great State battle to take place next
fall. The paramount question, there-
fore, to be considered by Governor
Stoneman, would be this: Would
the nomination of Delmas mar
row or widen the breach now ex-
isting in the Democrasic ranks? If
the former, the high rank he has
achieved ought to secure him the
honor sought. II the latter, if
through his nomination the party is
to be crippled for the struggle in No
yember then it would be suicidal to
name him for the Senate. Notwith-
standing Mr.. Delmas' high claims
and undoubted qualifications for the
position, if it is clear that his nomi-
nation would lead the party to de-
feat, then the Governor would be JUS
tilted, on undisputable grounds, in
Withholding it.
The Governor has other names be-
fore him whose nomination would
cement the party and at the same
time emphasize the principles of the
San Jose and Stockton conventions
on the railroad issues. Stephen NJ.
White stands pre-eminent in this re-
spect. No mistake could be made in
his nomination. The extremists on
both sides could meet together and
approve it. 1t would call back to
the party very important class vote
which in part has become in
different, if not antagonistic
But there is still another effect
this nomination would have.
It would not provoke the uncompro-
missing and embittered opposition
from the powerful corporations which
the nomination of Delmas would rem
der active and certain. Not that they
like White less, but that they hate
Delmas more. Yet the Executive
mind, whilst it would probably con-
cede the force OF the arguments in
each OF the above cases, might be
swayed by commendable desire to
select man whose sacrifices for the
party and the even tenor OF whose
conduct have been such as to make
him a sort of olive branch to every
ring and every faction OF the Demo-
cratic organization. No man is more