Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-21
WHEELING INTO LINE.

WHEELING lNTO LINE.
The Democratic patty excites our admi-
ration for the mastery manner in which
it "gets into" and paddles" other peoples
canoes. In that respect it has no peer !;
its efirontery in appropriating the ideas of
Others and claiming them to be Demo-
cratic originals is something imcompara-
bly, brazen.
For instance, witness its recent attempt
TO mount the silver coinage question and
ride into popularity upon policy that
the party has heretofore persistently con-
demned. Its latest achievement, however,
is its seizure upon ballot reform. Upon
that harp it will now play angelic melo-
dies, and as reformer the entire party
will pose in most artistic and politically
graceful attitude In the Democratic
Convention at San Jose we find that it is
The first subject submitted to the commit
Zee to which was delegated the task Of
aewing the planks of platform.
We are frank to confess that the Young
Mems Democratic League of San Fran
cisco, an organization erected in antago-
nism to the ruling element in the party,
two years ago formulated reform ballot
Dill ard presented it to the Legislature.
It is also true the Democracy in the Leg
stature ruthlessly crushed the effort to
Introduce the new system, even after every
feature that could by any doubt be held
Objectionable had been eliminated.
The agitation of the reform ballot sys-
tenn began, as have all modern politicalre-
forms, in the Republican party. 1t was an
sagonized from the outsetb by the Democratic
party. In the Empire State the high
priest of Democracy straugled the bills
in two successive Legislatures intended to
introduce secret ballot into the New York
system. He declared the schemes to be
unconstitutional, invasion of personal
liberty, destructive of the guaranteed
rights of freemen and altogether devices
Of the devil. Not until public opinion in
favor of the reform system became ire
sistible did Governor Hill yield, and not
then until dangerous, unassimilative
and obnoxious "paster" addendum had
been tackled upon the measure, did he APP
prove bill providing for proper guards to
the secrecy of the ballot
So, too, in other States, the Democratic
party bitterly assailed the reform ballot
idea, and even upon the floor of Congress
its representatives denounced the whole
scheme as iniquituous and un-American.
Now, however, wen FIVE States of the
Union have adopted the reform, and by
trial proved its wisdom and efficacy; when
the cities of Milwaukee and Louisville
have demonstrated its worth and
many minor towns have illustrated the
practical workings of the system, the
Democracy begins to trim its sails to popu-
lar breezes and to-day it has the assump-
ton to float the reform ballot pennant,
end to claim the command of the fleet.
However, let US not quarrel with the
means that bring US good results. 1t is
proof beyond contradiction of the sterling
value of the modified Australian ballot
law that its virtues are at last confessed
and its cause espoused by its most pro-
nounced enemy. We do not recall any
other great moral or political reform to
which the Democratic party has volun-
tarily given in its allegiance. 1t has been
from its inception the political obstruc.
zionist of the republic that it now en-
lists in reform, is indicative OF the
conviction of its leaders that il
cannot longer occupy the position Of
the obstructionist; that they are con.
WINGED it cannot endure and refuse to CONF
abreast with the progressive ideas of the
age. And in this confession we find cause
for congratulasing the people of the United
states. 1t is indicative of quickened pc
litical conscience; OF the rising strength
Of independent thinking; of relaxation o
The hard lines of craftsmanship and of tn,
advancement of party organizations int
atmospheres of greater clearness and pc
Iitical salubrity.
THE declarations of the San Jose Con
yention in the platform yesterday adopted
demanding restriction of Chinese immi
gration-while faulty in being unquali
feds in harmony with public senti
nent the plank approving the election
Of United States Senators by the direc
vote of the people; that commencing
officials who have deserved it; the pro
vision demanding low State tax rate
though the plank was stolen from thu
Republican platform; the plank faForint
? reform ballot system-though the las
Democratic Legislature coolly and in colo
Stood choked to death bill providing fol
precisely that now approved; the pledge
:,ara,oe the General Government L