The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-10
POLITICS AT
FEVER HEAT.
No Relaxation in the Fight
Among the Republicans.
Federal ofice-Holders Using Every Means to
Nominate acknowledgement Is Not
Candidate for Second Place.

the Democrats for the gubernatorial
nomination is lost sight of, and the
interest is conferred entirely on the
struggle that is going on among the
Republicans. The battle is said to be
the hottest that has ever been known
in the State, and the adherents of the
various candidates are straining every
nerve to land their man at the head Of the
ticket.
The Morrow men claim to be confident of
success, and talk bravely, but it is only
talk, and they steadfastly refuse to indicate
where their strength lies. There can be no
doubt. however, that intense pressure is
being brought to>bear on the San Francisco
delegation in the interests of the Fourth
District Congressman, and the Federal Of
fcials, notably Postmaster Backus and E.
P. Danforth, are throwing out the patron
age in his interest.
No Republican who is opposed TO Nor
row is safe in his position. and threats and
offers of patronage have whipped than
into line. So far has this character of
politics been carried that the gentlemen in
question have gone so far as to organize
bread-and- butter brigade" composed of
their clerks and deputies, to the number OF
fifty or more, to go to Sacramento to shout
for Morrow.
1t is said that the Postoffice viii furnish
its full quota and the reas on for this is so
evident that ii is not necessary to dwell
upon it. The interests OF the people and
the business of the offices are of but little
consequence compared with MIR. MOrrow's
fight; but it is sale to assume that not one
of the men who 60 to Sacramento will have
any deduction made from his salary for
lost time. 1t is necessary part of politics,
and the spells must be looked after. no
matter how the public business suffers.
In addition to this the officials referred to
are promising everything, and it looks now
as if every position at the disposal OF the
Governor had already been promised by the
Morrow men in return for their support III
the convention. Notwithstanding all this
their fight is still weak and they are keep
ing an eye on Chapman as last resort. 1t
is anything. in fact, to beat Markham, and
when the break comes they will make every
effort to keep their strength away from the
Los Angeles man.
The reason for this Is not plain. Why
they should so bitterly antagonize him no
one knows, but it is sure that they have by
doing so placed themselves in a dilemma.
They have not been content with opposing
Markham, but have gone out Of their way
to Willy him, and the result is that the
friends of Markham will never go to Nor
row no matter what contingency may arise.
On the contrary many of the supporters
of Morrow, when the break comes, will GO
to Markham. ms is especially true or
Alameda and San Francisco. Here is just
where the Morrow fight Is weak. and where
they clearly recognize it to be so. They see
that Mr.. Morrow's chances for the nomina-
tiOn are not as rosy as they could desire,
and they see also that to keep in the fight
and allow him to suffer defeat i'll the con-
vention would be to injure him politically.
For this reason they would like to with
draw him, if it could be done with safety; but
they realize that the moment this were done
sufficient strength would go to Markham to
nominate him. This is phase of the fight
that is pulling them. ana which they see
no way to avoid. So far as Colonel Mark
hams friends are concerned they are smil-
ngly confident, and claim that his nomina-
ton is already assured. That he is steadily
gaining strength there can be no doubt, and
his fight is in better shape at present than
at any time since the opening Of the CAM
paign.
Encouraging reports are coming in from
ali sides, and his friends are growing more
numerous every day. Santa Cruz, which
has been in doubt, is now in line for Mark
ham, and this will add II votes to his
strength. The more conservative of his
followers claim that he Will have go votes
on tie first ballot, but the indications are
that he will have nearly or quite 800. The
following is fair estimate OF his following: