The morning call., 1890-08-24
AN ABJEcT CONDITION.

Nearly every person of intelligence in
California knows that a set Of harpies
under the lead of Boss Buckley have had
control Of the offices in San Francisco for
some time past. This boss has obtained
such a mastery over the machinery of the
Democratic party that no Democrat who
does not answer his purpose can receive a
nomination for an important office. The
result IS thar decent Democrats do not
know what 10 do; they hold up their hands
in perfect disbursement while they are
being pluudered. This same Buckley in
huence has just nominated a ticket for
State officers at San Jose, and in course of
time it viii nominate candidates for m uni
cipal offices. Tie question now arises
whether such candidates will be elected and
continued in office for another two or four
years to rob the people. saying nothing of
manipulations of juries, etc. Win any con-
siderable number Of persons vote for Buck
ley's candidates because they call them
selves Democrats? The CALL has waited
for an uprising Of the people, which it
hoped would throw off the rule of an ele-
ment which all know was selling legisla-
ton, voting away public money almost at
It's pleasure, and even taxing men holding
small clerkships in the departments. The
same interest we realized when United
States Senator was to be chosen would sell
the position for money. We have waited
for rising of the people, as we say, but
such an event does not occur, not because
the people are not ripe for it, but because
they do not know what to do. The ques-
ton then arises as to what we ought to do.
Surely if the people have so little confidence
in candidates which they might bring out
hot 81 q M In he, p
could at least refuse 10 vote for BUekley's
lambs. If a movement were instituted in
San Francisco to nominate a respectable
ticket for city and State officers by a con-
ventiou of the people, it would doubtless
succeed If 1t we're not corrupted by men
who wish to purchase vicious legislation,
or to profit by corrupt contracts. A move
ment of this kind, however, must come
sooner or later. We should have been
ready for it even now had not the Buckley
influence defeated the efforts to establish
the Australian system Of voting in the last
Legislature. As it is, there is nothing to
hinder the people from voting against Buck
ley's nominations. Were this done BY any
considerable number OF persons the Buck
ley regime would 90 down speedily. Are
not men guilty Of a wrong against the pub
lie who vote for Buckley's plunderers If
men know these candidates are set up to
rob tile people. do they not make mistake
in yUting Tor them? At nearly every cleo
ton lew schemers bring out what they
term Independent tickets. They are how
ever, brought out generally for vicious
purpose. At the last election we had what
Wa termed an American ticket. 1t con-
taiued the name of Waterman 1t would
be surpusage to say that the ticket was
not nominated for vicious purpose. 1t
was designed to defeat certain candidates
and to elect certain other candidates. A
few men who profited largely by the trick
we're its prime movers. Pixley and Boruck
were two of the patriots. We have now
another movement tending in the same di-
rection. Is ii not fair to assume that the
Bidwell ticket is designed to assist Buck
ley, by drawing votes from the Markham
ticket? We do not see how there can be
much difference of opinion on this point