The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-04
THE NEW SENATOR.

Now that the Democrats seem to be rea-
sonably sure of being able to secure ma
tarity in the Legislature on joint ballot,
though they really lack two votes, quite a
number Of members of the party are pre-
pairing to sacrifice themselves on the altar
Of public duty by accepting the Office of
United States Senator. Ii Mike de Young
could have been bottled up and the bottle
secluded in some lonely Faralon, the duty
Of selecting a successor TO Mr.. FELTON, might
lave deyolyed on the Republicans AS it
is. that ornament to society, with the aid of
his friend. Mr.. Huntington, handed the
Legislature over t. the Democrats, and Mr.
hearsts seat, which was vacated by death,
Will be filed by one of his own political
faith.
1t is no part oil the business Of THE CALL.
10 advise the Democrats or to form prefer
ences among the candidates who are airing
their pretensions. 1t is only entitled to en-
terrain and express views on the subject.
because the new Senator will represent the
State as well as his party, and because citi-
Zens Of all political faiths are interested in
his being it represent ative of California,
Without intending to dsparage any one.
The CALL may observe that the recent
representatives of the State IN the Senate
have not been conspicuous for fitness, and
have not commanded the weight which was
conceded to some former Senators from this
section. The Senate is a body in which
men quickly find their level. 1t contains
men of long experience and acute mind
They readily take the measure Of new mem
bers and class them as men whose lead it
VIII do TO follow, or as men who are of no
account. 1t is rather important that Cali
fornia should be represented in the Senate
by one who will command the ear of the
body, and whose opinions will be received
with respect. not because of the reasons by
which they are supported. but because Of
the reputation Of him who expresses them
The Democrats ought to choose no petty
politician. but The very strongest man they
have i'll their party.
1t has been suggested that. in the support
which he gave TO Mike de Young, Coils P.
Huntington was not as mad as he seemed
TO be. There may have been a method in
bis madness. He may have foreseen that
by encouraging De Young be would prob
ably defeat the Republican ticket and
throw the Legislature into Democratic
hands, in which case be would be entitled
to Democratic gratitude for the indirect
service he rendered. If this theory is cor
rect he may have something to say about
the choice of Senator. He is we'll aware
that II a strong man is chosen his voice
may be potential on the yexed question OF
the adjustment Of the subsidy bonds. 1t
would help the railroad materially if A
Democratic Senator from California. sneak
Ing, as be apparently would, for the people
OF this coast, should declare himself in
favor Of Senator Frye's scheme for extend
ing the debt of the Pacific railroads for a
hundred years. The money spent by Hunt
ington in supporting De Young would have
been well spent If it brought about such a
result. He would not care about the new
Democratic Senator's opinion on other
subjects provided he were sound on the
subsidy question. Nor would 1t be an OBJ
lection TO the candidate that he had hereto
lore taken ant-monopoly ground. With
ripper knowledge public men constantly
change their opinions. especially where
their individual ambitions are promoted by
the change.
Happily for the State the Democrats can
rot be hoodwinked in the matter. Mr.
Huntington cannot hide his tracks. Where
the railroad moves all the world observes
the movement. 1t cannot throw its SIM.
port te any candidate for Office without
showing its hand. Thus the Democratic
majority in the Legislature will have M
difficulty in detecting Huntngton's prefer.
ence, and 1t should prove q beacon light To
guide them in their choice. California can
not afford at this crisis to send to the Senate
any one who is under the Huntington
thumb on the question above all Others
which interests the State. 1t should choose
some one who is free from railroad faint
and whose backbone Is so stalwart tina,
there will be no danger of his falling down
under the Establishments Of the corporation.
There are such men in this State: there
ought to be such in the Democratic party ;
1t remains TO be seen whether the rerre-
sentatiyes of that party in the Legislature
will have the wit and the nerve to pick one
nj fhou, ouf