The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-01
" LEEDS PLATFORM :
An Opinion of the Traffic Associations
Politics-Tne Fresno Mistake.

An Opinion of the Traffic Association,s
Foiitics-The Fresno Mistake.
tSan francisco Argus, July 3Oth.7
When the Traffic Association of Cali
lorna was incubated the Argus expressed
tne opinion that its chief object was not
SO Inuch The reduction of rates of freight
ana 1areS on the several TRANSPORTATION
lines III. this State as the promotion of the
polltlcl aspirations of certain of its San
ranclSco organizers. The principal
events III It's short history afford ample
evidence that the -4rgUs then sized up''
inc organization correctly. Scarcely had
IL got down to work when its President,
Oeiley1ng- as did the ArguS, that it was
simply political ''snap," resigned his
ONCE. When the Republican convention
met at Stockton. a few weeks later, it was
approached by the Representatives of the
association, who claimed that it repre-
scented the mercantile, manufacturing
gram, fruit and wine interests, with their
thousands Of votes. and given to under
stand that the price of its influence in tho
approaching campaign was the adoption
OIL q strong anti railroad resolution The
hcpublIcans promptly and wisely de-
chned to become the tools of the associa-
ion. Then like proposition was made
10 the democratic convention at Fresno.
The Democratic leaders, knowing Cali
lorna 20 be strongly Republican on
/ strictly party issues, jumped at the offer,
and the resolution was adopted Now
| the Democrats are beginning to realize
the Tact that they made 4 serious mistake
at Fresno.
The association is not satisfied with
what mas been given it. 1t wants every
| ihlnT III sight, and threatens to ''kick ont
OF the traces" if its demands are not ac-
ceded to. In an ''open letter. Manager
Leeds lays down its platform. lie insists
that candidates for the Legislature, 10 re-
c9lVe the support OF the association must
piodge themselves to, immediately upon
The assembling o. the Legislature so
! amend the Constitution as to abrogate
thar section which provides fort the cleo
ton OF ;{ailroaa Commissioners and pre-
ScrlDeS their duties, and instead insert
section placing the regulation Of trans
portatIon companies in the h.nds of the
LeglSlatur"; 10 have such amend ncnt
/ immediately submitted to the voters of
the State tor ratification, so that the same
session may pass the necessary bills for
the regulation of all transportation COM
panleS Inthc State; 70 pass bill provid-
ing uniform classification and maxi
mum tariff which viii Tx rates between
all points in the state on cereals. live
stock, orchard products and manufilct-
ureS; and TO pass a bill providing for q
board OF three Commissioners, to SUPER
wise transportation companies of the
I State TO be elected by the voters one for
! two, one Tor four, and one for six years
ore Commissioner to be elected at each
succeeding general election; said board
to be invested with all the powers of the
present board of the State Of Iowa.
1t is not improbable that Manager
Leeds Will next insist upon the right to
name the candidates Tor The Legislature
himself However, it is safe TO say that
10 Democrat will be foolish enough to
/ pledge himself to carry out the Leeds
/ programme. To do so would certainly
/ insure his defeat. The people of Cali
fornia are not yet satisfied that the Rail-
/ road Commission is q failure. 1t GER
tainly has not been proven failure by
! Mr.. Leeds. 1t is true he has commanded
the Commissioners to do certain things.
/ bit when they have asked him to pre-
sent his complaints in proper, legal man
ner, he has persistently refused to do so.
/ 1t is also fact that the people of this
State are not yet prepared to intrust the
regulation OF the transportation com
! panies to the Legislature. Is it not.quite
/ possible that MIR. Leeds himselfi is reach
! ing out for the office Of supervising COM
/ missioner, and hopes to reach that goal
! through the Democratic party? Ii he is,
/ he viii be disappointed. No party
I pledged to the Leeds programme can
carry California.