Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-29
A Notably Weak Ticket.

A very careIul survey OF tne hepuD-
lican ticket, and an extensive interchange
of views with the people of Los Angeles,
satisfies us that it is far weaker than il
was rated in our first impressions. The
party itself is deservedly weak in Los
Angeles county this year, and the general
idea was that it would seek to buttress
itself by strong nominations. In this the
public expectation has been greatly dis
appointed. Its judicial nominations are
specially weak. There is not amongst
them all single man Of force and
ability combined with the approved
degree of learning needed for such an
exalted station, although no one, as we
are at present advised, will feel like at
tacking their responsibility. The ablest
of the trio is too young to have
acquired the experience and erudition
requisite, while Judge Van Dyke errs
on the side of too advanced an age for
efficiency. They are all newcomers; but
that objection in community like
this composed of new comers,
amounts to little except in so far
that in the administration of the law
local knowledge counts for good deal,
as do the prescriptions that form the
body OF the unwritten law which often so
rightly modifies the written law. The
nominee for District Attorney, Mr.. Frank
p. Kelly, is an amiable young gentleman
whose personal popularity will not blind
the voters to the fact that he is a very
weak brother in all that pertains to law.
Los Angeles county is engaged in con-
Germs Of great magnitude, anu the legal
adviser of her Board of Supervisors should
be a man thoroughly versed in the laws,
and able to write clear and forcible opin-
ions upon the grave questions that are con-
stantly liable to spring up. Certainly the
most enthusiastic friend of Mr.. Kelly will
not claim that Francis Patrick comes up
to all the requirements of such respon-
sible function.
The Democracy will unquestionably
place jurists of note in nomination for
all three judgeships. Those positions
are at present occupied by Dem ocratic
Judges of acknowledged eminence. The
probability is extreme that they will be
renominated and it would be very hard,
indeed, for the Republican nominees to
get away with them. 4fz9As 'f4a
The Democratic party can also be re-
lied upon to nominate for the office OF
District Attorney either the present able
occupant or some gentleman of equal
ability and worth.
This makes it very hard lines indeed
for that portion of the Republican
ticket. sg
The nominees for the several minis
terial county offices are all equally weak.
The gallant young Martin Aguirre is the
strongest of the lot This dashing Cali
fornian has many strong points, but he
will find it hard to convince the public
that his youth and inexperience should
be entrusted with such responsible duties
as those which pertain to the office of
Sheriff. Martin has many admirable
qualities, and he is thoroughly sterling
and likable, but the Democracy will un-
doubtedly overweight him.
The legislative ticket of the Republi-
cans is quite ordinary in its makeup and
is disgraced by the presence upon it of
that INSCRIPTIONS hack politician, John
r. Briefly.
!: The rest of the county ticket calls for |
little comment except that it contains
npon it the name of Charles H. Duns-