The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-14
SOMEWHAT PREMATURE.

The Republican railroad organs are some
what premature in assuming that the letter
OF Traffic Manager Leeds recommending p0-
litical action TO control the railroads is in
the interest of the Democratic party. The
Republicans will shortly hold a State con-
Veption to nominate Presidential Electors,
and may II they choose put the party on
record against the extoTtions Of which COM
plant is made. We do not know that the
Republicans will take advantage Of the OPP
portunIiy, but as they have a good chance
to do so they should not complain if they
lose by their folly.
The most important issue in State politics
at tie present tine is the transportation
question. The Southern Pacific Company
has obtained its power through political
action. II has been Democratic or ReDub-
lican by turns. but for Itself all the time.
1t has aided the election Of men in either
party whom it could use. II has contributed
to the campaign funds Of both parties, with
an understanding that its interests should
be cared for. It has put this political as
pirant forward and another back IN its own
interest. Should q public man show dis
position to be independent he would either
be bought mp or crushed. For this reason
there is not at this time man Of any con-
siderable personal prominence in the ser
vice Of tile State. The Supreme Court is
composed Of men who accepted a nomina-
ton at the hands Of the Southern Pacific
Company, with the understanding that the
interests Of the Southern Pacific Company
we're to be cared for. One Of our Senator's
vas for a long time the president Of the
company, and the other has been named by
the company. Under these conditions there
seems 10 be some force in the demand that
the Traffic Association take some action to
break the political power of the Southern
Pacific Company. With the courts, the
Railroad Commission and the Legislature
under the control Of the company compet-
ing reads OF competing lines Of steamships
would have hard fight.
At the present time either party can
espouse the cause of the people against the
peoples oppresscrs. If the Republican
party choose to let the Democratic party
take the lead in this fight so much the
worse for the Republican party of the
State The national campaign is not in
volved Voters will support their respect
i've party tickle. for President without the
slightest consideration to the contest in
the people 1t is understood at the present
time that strong effort is being made by
the RAILROAD people TO keep the Democratic
State convention, which meets Tuesday al
Fresno, frcm taking up a position agains
the railroad. Tie fact is being impressed
upon the minds OF aspiring Democrats tha
the only road to political preferment lie:
through the Southern Pacific Office. While
the Southern Pacific is in politics more act
lively than ever before, the idea is thrown
ont by its organs that the Traffic Assoeif.
ton should do what it can with all tht
political power Of the State I'm the hands O.
The railroad company. Let The Southern
Pacific continue 10 elect Senators, Congress
men, Legislatures. Supreme and superior
Judges. and let the Traffic Association try
to make Roadway against it with all tht
| political power Of the State directed agaIns
the association. This is the programm.
The railroad political managers have laiC
out, and this is the programme which tht
| Chronicle and the Post are trying to carry
mt