Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-20
THE EXAMINER" AND HON. S. M.
WHITE.

mingle in the controversies which have
arisen from Mr.. Whites candidacy fol
the United States senate, we do not
think that that gentleman's position has
been fairly stated by the Examiner. II
we understand our townsman's position
and we think we do, it has never entered
his head to suppose that he is an exclu-
sive candidate, or that other Democrats
have not as good right as he to contest
for the honor. 1t should be borne in
mind that Mr.. White has been quite
modest about the matter. 1t will
scarcely be denied that there
was an almost universal demand
amongst the leaders of the California
Democracy and amongst the masses
quite as demonstratively that he should
be the gubernatorial candidate of the
party. The two leading contestants for
the honor made their entering the race
contingent upon Mr.. Whites conclusion
as to whether or no he should run for
/ that position. In particularly clear
and unequivocal way our townsman an
nounced that he would not stand in the
way of any OF his fellow Democrats
He surrendered the gubernatorial field
absolutely to other aspirants. At no
stage did he palter with the situation On
the contrary, he was direct, straightfor-
ward and manly. In an interview with
one OF the editors of this journal, which
appeared in the HERALD on the 2nd of
February, Mr.. White explicitly stated
that under no circumstances would he
be candidate for governor, and at the
same time he expressed decided pref
erence for Mayor Pond.
Certainly his conduct at every stage of
an importunate popular demand that he
should run for governor was controlled
by good taste and consideration for other
distinguished Democrats.
As to his candidacy for the United
States senate, the Examiner admits that
it is a laudable ambition in any citizen
to desire to represent his state in the
higher branch of the national legisla-
ture. 1t then remains to ask "what
were the circumstances under which
Mr.. White allowed himself to be put
forward as senatorial aspirant ?"
In the first place, he was asked to
come forward as representative of the
principle that United States senators
should be elected by direct vote OF the
people by the Democratic county central
committee OF Los Angeles county. There
was something in such an invitation
worthy of Mr.. Whites respectful atten-
ton, and he took the matter under ad-
visement. Shortly thereafter came a
similar request from the Fresno county
Democratic central committee. In the
meantime, there had been a quite gen.
eral expression of opinion in the press
OF both parties favorable both to the
principle and to the candidacy of Mr..
White. Under such circumstances, it
can scarcely be disputed that he had
right, without presumption, to avow a
candidacy which he and everybody
knows will be dependant, as to its re-
suit, first on Democratic victory, and
secondly on Mr.. Whites ability to crys-
tallize Democratic sentiment in his own
favor.
Another important circumstance in
Mr.. Whites candidacy ought not to be
overlooked He is a resident of and is
ardently devoted to Southern California
He is perfectly aware OF the fact that
since California was admitted as state
into the union this end of the common
wealth has never had a United States
senator. He knows of what inestimable
service he could be to his section in that
body, and outside of his personal ambi-
ton he feels that he could do the south
ern portion of the state much good, while
laboring impartially for the advancement
of the whole commonwealth. This cir
cumstance invests his candidacy with a
strength that attaches to that of no other
man who has been mentioned amongst
Democrats for the position. 1t has been
the scandal OF our politics that this sec
ton has SO signally failed to get its share
in the distribution of the honors of all
parties.
The Examiner in limiting that there is
an understanding between MIR. White
and Mr.. Coils 2. Huntington, on the
senatorial question, in our opinion tran
scends the limits of fair discussion of a
candidate. Even the heat of a contro-
versy scarcely justifes such an innuendo.
Its absurdity is patent on it's face. That
journals advocacy of General Clunie for
the United States senate would, under
proper conditions, excite great enthusi-
asm here. But it is felt that the long
deferred recognition of Southern Califor-
MIA must first be accorded before even
the fascinating Clunie can be permitted
to go to the senate of the United States.
Besides, General Clunie is in position
to become the most useful mem
Der of congress California has
ever had. He has a lien on the
fifth district, and can go back to the
house of representatives as often as he
may desire. His second term will find
him one Of the most powerful men in
Washington, and his third or fourth
may land him in the speakers chair.
Just now, however, Southern California
demands to be heard, and through a
| gentleman who is generally conceded to