The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-19
TIE CONTEST OPENING.

The signs are Frightening so lar as rail-
road expressions are concerned in this
Stale. Il is now apparent that il viii be
impossible for five or six persons 10 control
the politics Of California indefinitely.
Through the organization Of what are called
primaries and money used to debauch q
class Of men called BOSSES it WAS pos
sible to secure the nomination Of the most
objectionable candidates for Office, and
there being but two parties the railroad
could run both organizations and thus put
It's feet upon cur necks. Some whining has
taken place recently by those persons who
have profited from railroad politics, either
by holding Office or by discounts on freight
bills, but the causes Of these winnings are
beginning TO be understood. As we have
ID another place quoted the opinions Of the
ATQOp0ut in respect to railroad expressions,
that paper being Republican, We will now
quote from a Democratic journal, the EraHt-
iRer, the following:
THE RAILROAD AND TUE CONVENTION.
The appearance OF the railroad lobby at the
| Fresno convention makes IL evident that the
coed Mr.. HunLiHgt0n's congratulations on the
withdrawal OF The Southern Paeinc from politics
were a little premature. The railroad lobby Is
very uuCu ~ puiltiCs anu Ug tulodLs ahu lDicil
is trying 10 prevent any Endorsement OF the
Traffic Association or Traffic Associations OBJ
iecis. Possib it would Fl { an Endorsement for
the Railroad Commission instead, but even rail-
road ins0leBce has not gone so far 10 hint any
thing 10 this effect.
The entrance of the railroad Into The struggles
Of the convention is an act TO be resented by
every Democrat. The Republican party OF Cali
fOrnia may be content TO wear the railroad
fEtad
road table, but the Democracy IS Of another
mind. Il Is a slave 10 no master. and least of al
TO the Southern Pacific Company. The Dsmoe-
raey neither fears The enmlly nor seeks the
friendship of the railroad.
The Southern Pacific ana the Southern Pa
cfc 5 Railroad Commission have prOfessed con-
tempt for the Traffic Association but il is cvident
from the Efforts il is making TO prevent any en-.
I eOuTagemeBt OF the association by the Fresno
resolutions that Il fears that body as the force
that IS to reduce IL 10 subsection. The banding
together OF the merchants OF tile State, the CON-
bination OF tile men who control an aggregate Of
freiguts that would make or break an ordinary
road, is an event that may well carry cOHslerna-
ton 10 the company that has held California In
dustries by the throat and slowly squeezed the
life out OF them.
just what the absence OF commentator OF the
association by the Fresno convention could ae-
cOmplish for the railroad Is not clear but II the
good wishes OF the assembled Democracy can
have any effect in Fastening the day OF triumph
for California merchants and California indus
tries they should have tie assurance that the
voters OF the party are IN fun sympathy with
their Efforts.
Political resolutions may not be effective in
settling commercial questions, but such help as
they may be should be given to the Traffic Asso-
citation, the Nicaragua canal and a competing
trauscOntinental railroad.
An assurance to the Southern Pacific that It's
presence at Democratic conventions Is not de-
sired appears to be necessary. II it will attend
exclusively to the business OF running railroads
there viii be better politics and possibly better
railroads, too.