The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-11
THE DEMOCRATIC SPLIT.
Tim OBrien Discusses the Local
Situation.
Buckley Is Abroad, but His Spirit Still Per-
vades the PaIty-Wil the Rival
Factions Unite

Democratic County Committee showed most
plainly that the spirit of Buckley is still
alive. and it is plain to the close observer
OF local affairs that while the old boss is
enjoying the Strings of Europe his faithful
swash-bucklers are striving to hold the old
possessions. Raiuey. OF course, is rustieat-
ing On his Santa Clara ranch. where he
spends his time chiefly in looking out fer his
'sweet-breathed kline" and watching the
purpling grapes. and Dougherty-
Dougherty has allied his fortunes with the
Fire Department, and that means, as every
one knows who has observed the workings
Of that organization. that the genial Jack is
out of politics. But O'Bren and SPOTS and
Long and Greggains remain, and they are
not willing to ren0unce all claim to the
party machinery just now.
o'BRIEN's OPINIONS.
Tim O'Brien is nice fellow, or so the
boys say at least, and while be followed
Buckley In victory, he is not the kind of
man to desert his old leader, even when the
banner is trailed in the dust of defeat. He
Is loyal 10 the man who nominated him for
Sheriff, and according TO common rumor
expended thousands of dollars in striving TO
elect him. Hard hearted people, who were
not In politics. said, as is well known, that
Buckley was afraid Of the Grand Try, and
desired man in the Sheriff's Office who
would juggle the venire to suit the occasion,
but this may or may not be true. A any
rate buckley was temporarily 0yefthrown,
and saw ut TO 60 to Canada for his health.
Now comes the sequel and the curtain has
been rung up on the last act in the great
local drama. SPOTS and OBrien and Long
are still potent In the councils of the County
Committee, and it is apparent that they are
not willing to sink into oDscurlty for q time
at least Ii they cannot control the machin-
cry OF the party they can at least make a
desperate effort at recognition and that is
apparently what they are doing just now.
BOssIsM DENIED.
Said Mr.. O'Brien yesterday: 1.-THE action
of the committee means that we are not
willing at present to allow any coterirs Of
men TO take possession of the Democratic
party and dictate its future policy 1t would
be above all things undemocratic, and We
want every one to have an equal chance.
Monday the whole thing will be settled, but
1t is difficult 10 say just how it will come
out. Two plans are being discussed, either
OF which should be satisfactory 70 the rank
and file of the party and which could give
every one an opportunity to show his
strength.
the plan frstproposed is an open pri-
mary under the provisions of the Porter
law and according 10 the Australian system
OF voting, but there is great deal of objec-
tion 10 that. The fault is as l see il that
there are great many fraudulent voters on
difficult to keep Republicans from voting at
our elections.
THE OLD. OLD SCHEME.
THE plan which favor is district en-
roliment. L would prefer TO see three good
men named to act as a revising and enroll
ing committee in each district and all who
desired to vote for delegates could hand in
their names. III Republicans were to fall in
with US our committees would have time TO
ferret them out and erase their names. This
system would also avoid the possibility of
dead men being voted.
what the prospects are for fusion of
the warning factions | am unable to say Just
at present, but think they will come to-
gether sooner or later There are few hot
heads, OF course, in each wing of the party
who refuse TO accept compromise, but [
am OF the opinion that wiser councils will
prevail and Ne will go into the campaign
with a united party. Each side will find it
necessary TO give little aud the rest will be
easy"
KELLY'S HARD FIGHT.
An effort has been made for some time to
show that Ruef has the balance of power in
the Republican County Committee, but the
fact is that Mr.. Ruef controls just one vote
or Is supposed to at least-and that is his
own. Smith-he of the flowing beard-has
one in Pistolesi, and the rest are divided be-
tween the two big combinations Boyd.
about whom so much has been said, Is con-
trolled by DR.. Lux, who is entirely friendly
to Wilson, while Hagenkamp. who is charged
with going over TO Crimmins, was never on
the other side. Every vote, as the record
will show since he has been a member of
the committee, has been cast with the Third
street boss. and. If he has ever wavered in
his allegiance, he has never given outward
manifestation Of it.
IL Is now whispered about that Z. p
PillSbury has taken hand in the fight and
aspires to lead the local Republicans in the
next campaign. Mr.. Pillsbury's chief claim
TO power has been through the medium of
Martin Kelly. and his only fight of conse-
quence was the one made in the last State
convention TO defeat Chief Justice Beatty
for denomination, and in which he was
badly worsted. Since then be has acted as
legal adviser to the firm OF Kelly & Grim
MINIS.
PLAYING FOR PLACES.
On the other hand, Burns. Wilson and
Mahoney are not 0versanguine, but claim
that the are on top. This may sound very
wei! to those who regard politics in casual
way only. but the impression is strong
among the knowing ones and Is growing
every day that the two elements will bring
the contest to close by harmoniZing their
different interests. The truth of the matter
seems to be that they are merely playing
for place and their chief aim is 10 get all
out OF 1t that is possible under the circum-
stances.
Another independent club has sprung up.
and Is known as the Independent Citizens
Club CT the Thrty-fourth Assembly Dis
trlct Its officers are: President, w. E.
Wilson; Vice President, John Keoeh; Sec
retary, j.. Keogh; Financial Secretary, X.
ii. Nightingale; Treasurer, S. III. Hansen;
Sergeant-at-arms, p. b. Burns
"A nesting of the Stanford Club was held
last night for the purpose of discussing the
new ballot law. Thomas 4. Dolan and p.
NJ U('OnuOr m ada spaaahaS