The morning call., 1892-11-07
TIE PEOPLES PARTY.
Its Inception and Ten Years' Work
Civic Reform.

It's Inception and Ten Years' Work of
Civic Reform.
The cowardly murder of Editor James
King on May ii. 1856. by James Casey. a.
noted politician, famed the smoldering
fires against open crime, plunder and
rspaeity inte mighty fame of popular in
dignatIon. The famous vigilance COM
mitee was formed and the work of purifea-
lion was at once commenced. In three
months the committee had accomplished its
work. Il had been marked by the execution
OF four men, including the murderer of Mr..
King, tue deportation of twenty-five, and
the order for number of others to leave.
lesson which led to the voluntary departure
If some 500 malefactors and yaga bonds.
Then the Peoples party was organized.
with a committee of twenty-one prominent
citizens TO nominate competent and honor
stle men foT flee. regardless of political
cree0s and ether Irrelevant distinctions"
L. tlect OF the 0rZaniZation was 10 cor
rect locaI abuses without reference TO ma
tionai affairs.
The results of an honest and capable ad-
ministrauco Of civic affairs were soon ap-
parent IN 1915 tie civic expenditure
reached S2,646, 1870; in 1856 it was reduced TO
$500 120 and in 1857, the first full year of
the Peoples party, IL was still further re-
dgced 30 S353 292. The difference between
iGg the gross fraud and robbery that existed
under a corrupt administration, controlled
by men who followed politics as a profess
sion and fattened on the spoils of Office.
Mark the contrast when an administra-
tiOn actuated by the lofty PRINCIPLES OF pu-
Tlty and patriotism assumed the reins of
civic government San Francisco became
famed as one of the best-gOyerned among
cities. Real estate advanced in price, im-
migration received a fresh impulse aud
trade and industry flourshed. The Super
yisoTs gave their services gratuitoUsy. The
best men ln tie city composed the Boards
of Supervisors in those times, and the posi-
ton was recognized as one of honor and
dignity. One of the gentlemen interviewed
mOurnfully remarked: I'VE have not had
the like OF them since"
During this decennial period OF civic re-
form the giant railway monopoly had its
inception. 1t was on June %, 1861, that the
Central Pacific Railway Company was in
corporaled. with Leland Stanford president,
c. p. Huntington viee-presdeni, Mark
Hopkins treasurer, James Bailey secretary
and / ID. Judah chief engineer. The late
Charles Croker was Superintendent of con-
gtructioD.
They were none OF them rich men. but
they had franchise of such value as was
never before granted to any set of men
Still they were not satisfied. They wanted
everything in sight
c. 2. Huntington went TO Washington in
1862, and, with that 6nesse, shrewdness anC
keen dlscernment Of character for which ht
has always been noted, he speedily worked
the oracle. His methods have since com,
to light and are matters Of history.
The land grant was soon afterwald in
creased from 64G0 acres per mile to IL. 80
acres. A load of S24. coo of Goyernmen
bonus, which originally was TO form a ffs
mortgage on the property. was changed L
a second mortgage to enable them to borroy
an equal amount Of money on first mort
gage.
In 1863 bin passed the State Legislature
authorizing the city Of San Francisco II
subscribe 81, 900, co., of which 5000 900 wa:
TO go TO the Central Pacific and $4,000 600 4
The Western Pacific. whichwes afterwar
merged with the Central Pacific system
The subsidy was voted for by the taxpay
ers. but the Supervisors refused their con
sent on she ground that 1t was too risky 70
the city 20 take stock in the concerns. Tn
III Ter was carried to the Supreme Court
an d was finally compromised through a
act Of the Legislature. by virtue OF whcl
the Supervisors were compelled to give Oul
right 100000 in bonds S400, 900 to the Cen
tral Pacific and 100000 to the Western
Pacific.
In 1865 the Southern Pacific Railroa
Company was incorporated, the railroa
quartet having by that time succeeded b.
var Gus ways In accumulating abundan
financial means. which have since playe
so prominent a part In shaping the cours
ol aspiring politicians and other subservien
tools.
About this period the Peoples party be
gan 70 show signs OF disintegratiou. The
clYIl war had to a large extent been the
means OF diverting mems minds from local
10 Federal affairs. party feeling began Il
Eslh tne aScendency. and the hungry brood
ol place-hunters were clsmoring for reeogni
tion. FIRST one got elected oD the Board OF
oupeIFisors, Then two, and so it vert on
.Iil IN 1901 the scepter of the Peoples
psho Az passed completely away, leaving wit
IL the honorable record of being the mos
unselhsh. pure-minded and patriot organ
ization the State of California n as eve
seen. S'o