The morning call., 1891-07-12
BUCKLEY'S LETTER.

Mr.. Christopher Buckley avails himself
OF the columns of a society weekly to sing
second to the Examiner in the plaintive cav
atina. "Out of Politics." He declares that
he is out. really and truly out, and he adds,
with natural appreciation of his reputa-
ti0n for truth-teiing, 81 now say that
mean IT," That he should be out every honest
Democrat feels; but that he will be out
neither his own letter nor the assurances of
his organ will convince anybody. 1t is the
normal habit of politicians who have been
beaten at the polls 10 say that they are out
of politics, but it has not been observed
that they hold themselves bound by the as
sertion. They generally get back into poll
tics quickly enough if they think that voters
have forgiven them and are willing to re-
store them to grace.
Whether Mr.. Buckley stlys out or not will
depend on the temper of the masses OF the
Democratic party. 1t is their misfortune
that he is more nearly type of the class to
which many of them belong than any other
man who can be found. There are honest,
high prn cipled and high-mlnded Democrats
VINO loathe Buckley and Buckleyism, and
are as anxious for his overthrow as any Re-
publican can be. But they only constitute
a fraction of the party, and they tremble at
the thought of going into battle without
the aid of all its members, and without the
countenance of its recognized organ, which.
however it may flutter in the off-SeasOn,
always fall into the ranks under Buckley'S
command when the campaign opens. When
the next political season begins, Democrats
who are Democ rats from principle and are
opposed TO the sale of judgeships and other
offices viii insist that Buckley must be re-
ttrad tO ha MI onh ha with rnndact
self-sacrifce. will pretend to aequiesce in
their views. But his retirement will be a
trick and a sham, unless those other Demo-
Gratis who have trained under him. shared
the plumber, enjoyed the benefit of pull
and calculate to make their profit out of an
era of corruption, truly and honestly want
TO get rid of him. Ii they do, Buckley is
done for, whether he likes it or no; if they
do not, he will as certainly be the boss Of the
Democratic party in San Francisco in 1892
as he was IN 1S90-thOugh, perhaps, for
forms sake, lie may exercise his power from
the background.
1t is refreshing to read Buckley'S vatiri-
nations of the future of the party and his
assurance that he will always be a Demo
crat, and as an individual will help to ad-
vance the party and its principles in any
way that he can" The face of w. W. Stow
when he reads these words must be as good
as play. 1t was probably in the course of
Buckley's eXertions 10 advance the party and
its principles that he abetted the election of
legislative delegation from this city which
made Mr., Stanford Senator. and it was by
earnestly striving TO advance the principles
of true Democracy that he alone of the ac-
tive politicians OF the party contrived TO
make a fortune. The other leaders have no
money; it is always a tight scratch for them
! to collect enough to pay for halls, for print
ing, for brass bands and uniforms. But
Buckley cuts handsome figure on the real
estate assessment roll.
4 superficial observer running his eye
over his political career. which may posi-
bly, in spite of all be really ended. might be
Inclined to expect from him expressions of
contrition and repentance, promises of
atODement Tor the past and of better be-
haYor in the future under the guidance of
honorable men. When men get rich they
generally try to become respectable. Bat
Buckley is chiefly concerned about his bod
lily health He is like the girl who had a
young man in her eye and sought relief from
a physician OF her the rhymester said:
She went 10 the doctor.
But he only Knocked her,
Ana said: 70 the parson applyi