The record-union., 1891-05-08
GOVERNOR MARKHAM.
How He Is Fulfilling His Great Pub
lie Trust.
[Los Angeles Times, May 5th.]

Los Angeles Times, May 5th.I
California's Governor has now been
sufficiently long in Office for the people of
the State to be able to form an adequate
conception of his character and ability,
and to judge whether the promises made
for him before the election, by his friends,
have been, and are likely to be, fulfilled.
When the name of Colonel Markham
was first brought forward he was a COM
| paratlyely unknown man north of Te-
hachapi, and the great mass of the voters
up there had to take him ION trust" ex-
cept in SO far as they were able to form
an opinion of the man from his appear
ance and speeches during the campaign.
| What has been the result?
Even those who looked askance at
Governor Markham before the election
are forced, in fairness, to admit that he
| has proved TO be an able, dignified and
conscientious Executive. At the very
outset his path was beset with difficulties
| that would have tripped up a man of less
| clear-cut character and high purpose.
| The State had been bled by boodlers of
| high and low degree, and economy was
absolutely necessary. Both parties were
! forced to acknowledge this, and inserted
planks to that effect in their platforms.
1t is, however, well known that planks
often serve for kindlingwood after their
| primary purpose has been ACCOMPLISHED
Much curiosity was felt by the people,
and some little anxiety by a few of the
| Governors friends who know him least
to see how firmly he would hold the
Legislature to the prediction pledge
OF the dominant party. The Legislature
met and the fingers of the plungers-
| Republicans as well as DemOcrats-began
to itch to get at the States strong box 1t
was then that Markham showed that he
was no ordinary man. He gave warn
ing, clear, short and decisive, that, as far
as he was concerned, the Republican party,
III its platform, meant just exactly what it
said. The plungerS shrank back and
though they did here and there, despite
the executive curb, overstep the bounds
| of strict economy, the net result was a
total appropriation which, for the first
time in many years, very little exceeds
| the estimates. The boodlcrS and plungers
were toiled and the people rejoiced.
Again, when Governor Markham came
| into power he found i'll Office many men
who were especially vindictive in their
attitude toward him while he was Il candi-
date. His enemies admit that his treat
ment OF these men has been characterized
by great generosity. Further, he has
carefully avoided entangling alliances
with any clique. Urbane to all, it has yet
become clearly understood that the EX-
ecutive is his own Governor. Some little
friction has naturally been caused among
a class who aspire to be wirc-pullers and
powers behind the throne" but their
loss is the peoples gain. Jealous and
vengeful San Francisco politicians of the
Boruck stripe, whenever they have
attempted to antagonize or slight the
Governor, have succeeded only in ''strik-
ing snag" and scuttling their own puny
political craft.
In the reception of the President, the
dignity, intelligence and SaUoi1 fare
which so distinctively characterize our
Governor, were particularly noticeable,
Ind -l,sN.. 10, Il
the nation to the State, he made a model
speech, brim full of good things, which
| were something more than flowers OF
speech. At Los Angeles, after being him
self Loyalty and royalty received by the
pOpulace, he introduced the President to
the citizens in graceful and appropriate
| words. So all along the line. At Sacra-
mento on Saturday, in welcoming the
President to the Capital of the State, he
made an eloquent appeal for liberal treat
ment Of Sacramento River interests by
the Government, an appeal with which
the President was evidently impressed.
Governor Markham's administration
has, SO far, been a brilliant success. The
people recognize this and are with him.
| He has been received everywhere on his
recent tour with a spontaneous enthusi-
asm almost as marked as that which
greeted the President. Under such cir
cumStances should any attempt be made
little or antagOnize him it must of neces-
sitY prove dismal failure.
The Times, which stood by the Gov
crnor long before he was Governor. as well
as from the beginning to the close of his
great campaign-dating its championship
from time when to advocate his cause
involved much pposition-rejoices with
the people that the promises then made
as to Colonel Markham's conduct of the
high office, should he be elected Gov
ernor, have been more than fulfilled.
The steadfast loyalty of his home friends,
the people of the Sixth Congressional
District, who know him best, resulted in
his nomination. They had promised the
people Of San Francisco and the North
that Markham would not only be the
winning candidate but when elected.
would be worthy Governor of the whole
State, recognizing no section unduly, and
! knowing but one California. On this
! line they pressed his claims; their assur-
ances were accepted by the Republican
State Convention, and the result is
| known. He has honored all indorse-
ments: he has honored Los Angeles; he
has honored Southern California; better
than all, he has honored his State and his
| country.