The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-24
THE FIRST GREAT CAUSE.

1t is not always possible to trace effects
TO their real cause. With our limited power
Of observation we are apt to attribute re-
suits to the cause that is apparent We see
hand, but the hand that moves the hand
we see remains invisible The proyerbial
blindness of those who do not wish TO see is
illustrated by the following extract from
the Sacramento Record Union:
Firms Of bosses, who have established them.
selves just as a business cOpartHership might be
formed for tie purpose Of engaging IN legit-
male enterprise, have been established IN the
metropolis Of The Coast to DO political business.
These firms of bosses demanded. without doubt
al the hands Of associated capital the snews Of
war with which 10 prosecute trade. They were
engaged in the piracy OF political honor They
selected men as candidates for legislative posi-
items whose expenses hey proceeded to pay.
To borrow a homely expression our con-
temporary has got the cart before the
horse. The political firms are the cart and
associated capital the horse. Associated
capital wants some bill passed or wants to
prevent some proposed bill from passing.
What under such conditions does associated
capital do? There are but few corporations
which have the assurance to proTO one OF
their officials for high public position. 1t
proceeds to work through others. 1t puts
itself in communication with active poll
tlCians who only need money TO become
power in the party with which they act.
Associated capital supplies the money and
the political workers proceed to nominate
men who are willing for the sake Of Office
10 do their bidding. Associated capital
generally combines and requires its Candi-
dates to pledge themselves on two or three
points. These specific pledges kept, the
legislators are at liberty TO attack any in
terest not a party to the contract. The
class Of men who will accept Office under
these conditions are not supposed 10 be
rigid in their ideas Of right and wrong.
By agreeing to do the work Of certain cor
pOratiOus they secure power TO rob the rest
If the community under color CT law. In
this State associated capital is individual
lied in the Southern Pacific Railroad Com
peny. That is not the only conn any that
has taken hand in dehauching legislative
bodies but it has exercised a greater
influence than all other corporations put
together. 1t has worked through our local
Board Of Supervisors, through the State
Legislature, through Congress and through
courts 1t has acted on the principle that its
chain Of power was 10 stronger than its
weakest link, and has consequently made
all its links strong. The egs lation it
desired would, 10 many cases, have been OF
little use without courts to giyeit favorable
Interpretation. The machinery thus brought
into action became in time so expensive that
one Of the four men composing the corpora
ton declared short time since that it
would be better for the corporation to 20
out # politics than to stand the pecuniary
drain. Il VIII be observed, however, that
this conclusion was reached al a period
when the corporation had obtained about
everything it had asked for. and only de-
sired to be let alone. The Record Union
asks if the city Of San Francisco can be IT,
lied uFou to send as reputable men to
The Legislature next winter as tie interior
counties usually send. We doubt much if
il can. The present outlook is that certain
Senatorial candidates will, through political
bosses, contribute large sums Of money to
secure the nomination and election Of men
who Will vote as directed for Senator The
a-pirant that fads himself in a minority
Will, under such a contract, hand over his
contingent 70 a competitor foT a cousidera-
ton. The men elected Will have free license
to pIunder the people if they vote as they
agree to vote for Senator. There is q remedy
Tor this condition Of affairs if the people
will rouse themselves to apply it. The
bosses may be beaten at the primaries or
may be beaten by independent voting under
our present ballot law. THE CALL does
not think il possible for this condition Of
things to continue much longer. Other
States have passed through similar corrupt
politics. and some Of them are getting out of
it. California viii get out in time. The
first necessity is 10 realize the real source
of corruption. The Buck!eys. Crimminses,
Kellys and De Youngs are but instruments
who serve a. long as they serve obediently