The morning call., 1891-02-21
WHAT HE rRICKERY MEANS.

THE CALL has been particularly anxious
that the Legislature should enact a law
which would give the inhabitants g San
Francisco relief from the cormorants who
have been plundering our citizens, increas-
ing taxes and rendering suits at law I'M
certain. We thought that an act containing
provisions similar to those embodied in the
Australian system of voting would accom-
plish this purpose. for the reason that If the
conventions of the two great political par
ties should continue to be run by per-
sons OF the Buckley stamp, we could obtain
relief Every man Of intelligence knows
that the people have not been represented
TO much extent in these conventions for
some time past. The conventions have been
controlled by men who sold nominations,
and assessed even the salaries Of persons
holding clerkships under their candidates
when elected. We have not desired to in
terfere with the nominations of parties
when honestly nlade, but we have under
stood that the public could not afford to
allow indefinitely such rascality as has been
practiced under men like Buckley. We
have realized that the public. as rule
prefer to vote for the candidates of the
party with which they acted. rather than to
break away from old associations, but the
outrages had become so great that it became
q necessity. At the November election
enough of our citizens cut Lose from
Buckley's rule to defeat his candidates.
There is no doubt that the old parties will
continue in existence if they throw off boss
rule but not otherwise. The CALL has
asked the Legislature for the passage of the
Australian system of voting, for the pur-
pose of Riding the city of a corrupt rule.
Should such law be provided, 1t will be
possible for honest men to put up ticket
for which the public can vote with a fair
prospect of success, for the names of the
candidates will be placed upon a general
ticket The CALL will, however, say that,
with proper nominations by the two politi-
cal parties, there would be no necessity for
a third party, but, with such frauds as have
been prevalent staring them in the face,
they will vote for new organization. AT
Sacramento, as TIE CALLS readers know,
bill is pending which promises an oppor-
which nearly every person desires 10 see
passed. except class of persons who expect
to profit from a betrayal of the people.
Such persons wish to have the present con-
dition of affairs. continued. Shall they be
gratifed?
In cur reports from Sacramento we find
the following, which it may be well for the
public TO peruse:
BALLOT REFORM
The foes OF ballot rpform were dragged out of
their holes in the Assembly this morning and
putupon record. Dibbe of San francisco was
leader and Bruner OF Sacramento was his lieu
tenant, and Wentworth of San Francisco played
The part OF recruiting sergeant. The bills are
nov lar down upon the second-reading file,
where They are numbered 1877, 1873. IS9 and
80. Gould moved thai they be placed upon The
special hle in order that they may be acted upon
AT once, for he SAID lie believed that if they were
not put upon the special file They would never be
ched.
Dibble was on his feet at once in opposition TO
the motion. lie did not want any measure taken
up mat would delay consideration OF The Gen
eral Appropriation Bill, aud he was opposed to
changing the position of any bill on the file.
GOuLD's SPEECH.
Gould replied: 1.-The most important measure
of ballot-refOrm bill. The people are looking
10 this Legislature for fullllment OF its pledges
IN that direction. These bills are at the bottom
OF The file. If they are not made a special order
they VIII never be reached during this Leglsa-
ture. Upon your action to-day depends the en-
aetment OF any ballot-reform law. YESTERDAY
by lwo-thirds vote OF this House. there was
taken up out OF its order, against my vigorous
protest. bill designed to affect specific case
and Tor private purpose, thus delaying the aeIo
OF TINS House upon these ballot laws VIII the
majority Of this House assume the responsibility
of taking up out OF order bill OF sp cial purpose
and fleet and leave to slumber the one bill of
all others that the people OF this State demand?
Gentlemen, arraign the Democrats for waste of
time in making motion to have this mazda
special order, but l for one am willing to stand
before the people upon The time occupied In dis.
cnssion OF ballot-reform bill"
THE VOTE.
The ayes and noes called for and re-
suited:
Ayes-Barnett of Sonoma, Beecher, Bledsoe
Brown, BIusie, cargil, Cunningham, Dennis
Doty, Dunn. Burner. Eakle Esiey, Fowler
Freeman, Carver, GlylD, Gould. Hail. Hawley,
Hayes, Hooking Jackson. Lacey, Lewis. Lynch,
Martin. Mathews Mordeeai. Thurman, Murphy
Reufro, Rice. Robertson, Smith of Orange
saoler, Sturtevant. Tennis, Tuly Wentworth
WestOn-40.
Noes--ALExASDER, BARNETT of San Fan
CISCO BAUGHMAN, BRUNEI. BRYANT, CoFFEY,