Los Angeles herald., 1890-10-27
AN EDIFYING SPECTACLE.

-
The state campaign, now drawing to
close, affords the lovers of free institu-
tions spectacle not new since the Re-
publican party came into power. San
Francisco's great register has been
stuffed 20 the extent of 0,000 names, of
men who have no right to vote where
they are enrolled. The great register is
not the only evidence of the stuffing.
The cheap lodging houses along the city
front; the cellars, attics, old rookeries,
private offices, back kitchens, and wood
sheds, are stuffed to suffocation with
hoard of hungry, unfortunate. drinking,
criminal wretches, that disgrace the re-
ligion, the civilization and the very
manhood of our time. The pa
pers of the party of all de-
cency and morality are filled with
the customary objurgations OF these
low -browed, low-bred rascals who sell
their votes. They are, of course, all
said to be Democrats. Many of them
are the g. o. p.'s black friends from the
south, who are said to be all Republic
ans at home. The Grand Army fur
nishes a few of these 'stuffers." The
other foaters include all nationalities,
all classes, all occupations, trades and
professions in their motley multitude.
These papers, and the Republicans who
read them, talk much of the danger
there is to free institutions in this pur-
chasable vote, and this talk is true
enough. Much is also said OF the degra-
dation that marks the rascal that makes
merchandise thus OF his manhood and
barters away his precious birthright
like another sacrilegious Esau for meal
OF victuals. And this is as true as the
gospel itself.
Now see the companion picture to
this. From the furthest northern to
the furthest southern metes OF the
state stalks the figure of great man.
He is accompanied at every step by an
other whose ''silver tongue" in dulcet
tones speaks of the greatness and good
ness that inhabit this figure by his
side. At this declaration the air be-
comes full of hats cast up,
and the skies resound with the
p@ans of praise that ascend from all
tongues, silver, iron and brass, doing
homage to the goodness and greatness
that reside in this figure on exhibition.
The figure is that of the United States
senator who seeks to succeed himself in
that high office. He is honored of his
party as a demi-god. He is revered as
an apostle of righteousness, and glorified
as one possessed of all the virtues. He
is an old man, on the verge of the grave.
He is rich man, whose wealth runs to
score of millions. He has enjoyed
high honors in the state and nation !;
and he has not kith nor kin to leave his
millions and his fame to when he dies,
which must be soon. Ii ever a man
could afford to be good, and great in his
goodness, this man could.
But it is the conviction of most un-
biased and intelligent people that six
years ago when he was first elected
senator, that result was reached by a
most liberal, corrupt and damnable, use
of money. His business partner has
distinctly charged that the money OF the
corporation was so used. That
is matter outsiders cannot
speak on excepting so far as those
inside make facts known. The election
will take place in a week. and it is again
the conviction OF all unbiased and in
telligent people that this stuffing of the
register in San Francisco and here
means the purchase of votes by whole
sale. The conviction is that these votes
are to be purchased mainly and primar-
lily for the legislative ticket put up by
the Republican party, and that the in
tention is to secure legislature which
will re-elect Stanford to the United
States senate.
Does any one doubt this money
is on tap? Does any one
doubt it will be used? Does any
one need to be told for whose benefit it
is to be spent? Does anyone need to
ask where it came from?
There is the spectacle to make patri-
OTIS weep. The poor, hungry, naked,
uncultured. friendless outcast who is
tempted by an empty stomach to sell
his manhood, is to be sure for all that
a disgrace to his race, and danger to
the body polite. But his case calls