The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-25
BUCKLEY's WEALTH.

The Chronicle estimates Christopher
Buckleys wealth at from 100000 to
SG50, 30. and his income at 100000 4
year We have not taken the trouble to
verify the Chronicles figures, but have no
reason to doubt their substantial correct
ness. The fact that interests the public is
not so much the exact amount Of Dir.
Buckley's wealth as the manner in which
that wealth has been obtained. During the
SIX or eight years in which whatever wealth
Mr.. Buckley now possesses has been &C
cumuated he has been engaged in no
legitimate business. He has held no public
Office, nor, as far as known, ventured
largely in speculation. The conclusion is
therefore that he has made his money in
his capacity of boss of the Democratic
party. Tie amount OF wealth Mr. Buckley
has taken from the taxpayers is tine least
evil his methods have inflicted upon the COM
munity. He has. through his strikers, driven
the more respectable class of voters from
the primaries and thus secured conventions
composed largely Of his followers Control
ling conventions lie has been in a position
TO distribute nominations among his fol-
lowers, sometimes receiving money for the
same and again the promise of service in
Most of'the time he has directed legislation
in this city, and for one term at least he did
about as he pleased with the State LegiSla-
ture. The 100000 the last Legislature
appropriated in excess of liberal estimates
by an Auditor Of Mr.. Buckley's party was
distributed under the direction of Mr..
Buckley. How much of the 100000 he is
now said TO possess came from this source
no one will probably ever know. But the
gravest offense OF all is the influence MI
buckley exercises over the judges Of his
own creation. If Mr.. Buckley had tilched
ten times the money he is supposed to
possess from the public treasury the injury
to the community would be trifiing in COM
parison with that which results from loss
of cOnfid ence in our courts. In justice to
judges whom Mr.. Buckley does not control
the admission should be made that as yet
he has not succeeded in bringing all the
departments of the Superior Court under
his influence. Most thoughtful men will
agree with US that political boss who
maintains his control of his party and en-
riches himself by such methods should be
overthrow. He is the worst kind of
public enemy. lie drives from public life
men he cannot control. He closes the
afSuuGo ~ pOHNiCdl pItleIIeDI TO All Hen
who regard public Office as trust to be ad-
ministered for the benefit of the people.
He stands in the way Of legislation that is
not urged on by money and behind all sorts
of cinch bills which have money in them.
The spectacle of 4 man acting from such
low motives is demoralizing to the rising
generation. Our aspiring young men are
invited by Buckeyes success to make his
methods the model of future action What
can be said of community which tolerates
such man as political dictator? Buckley
will have more influence in nominating the
next Legislature, upon whom will devolve
the duty of electing a United States SEN
ator, than any clique of politicians in either
party. His voice is heard in both camps
and needed in both. 1t is high time that
the voters, without distinction of party
should rise up against him.