The morning call., 1893-08-31
SLIM PERCENTAGE.
German Democrats Share
of Patronage.
A PLAN FOR RETALIATION.
Threats of Wholesale Detection and
Claims That New Party Will
Be Created.

German Democrats-some Of them, at
least-are dissatisfied with the trend OF the
tide of political patronage. Now that the
Mint, the Custom-house and the munlclhal
government have assumed normal sway
under teorganiZed heads of the several de-
partments, the army Of the disappointed
has been making politico-ma athematlcai
calculation in this wise:
In San francisco. it is claimed, there are
about 5000 German-Democrat voters. and
there are two prominent political organiza-
tions of their strength. The flrst-the Ger
man-American Democratic Club-has
m EN- bership of 700. and claims to have natu-
uralized and enrolled 800 of that number
during the months of the last campaign.
Then comes the Fidelia Club. with an active
mem mbership of 200 wide-awake workers for
the cause Democratic. Having computed
the numerical strength of the German
Democrats, the gentlemen in charge Of the
calculation then added I'D the names OF
their members who had been accorded the
emoluments of the men tney had labored
TO elect.
At this interesting iuncture discourag-
ing result was reached and indignation
ran to height that bodies disaster to Mr..
Peppers party in San Francisco. Think
of it! The computation showed that the
Germans received but 2 per cent of the
appointments, and the great SO per cen
was accorded to the American and
other factors. A canvass of assembled
opinion was taken, and it was unani-
mousy decided that the great and glaring
wrong must be righted or something would
drop. The municipal end of the PROPOSE
tion was not so serious. 1t was agreed. be-
cause Mr.. Daggett with his Mint and Mr..
Wise with his Custom-house could have
Modified affairs by giving German Demo-
crats a little the best of 1t when they be-
slowed their four-Year fav0rs. But Mr..
Daggett and Mr.. Wise did no such thing,
and the chTySaliS of detection bloomed
forth into well-developed Kick. Henry
Troppman is one of the vigorous and ro-
bust leaders of the revolt, and while he
makes no positive threats he has formu-
lated plans that are intended to prevent a
recurrence of the oversight
DR.. Max Magnus. the weli-known Ger
man politician, is nOn-cOmmittal. His
views upon the subject are neither radical
nor conservative, so far as the W orld knows,
and by that silence it is assumed that the
war has not yet crossed Market street on
the north.
H. E. Weissig is a persistent cham
pion of the interests of the $500 votes
that Geiman Democrats cast in San
Francisco last fall. and that 2 per cent
ratio of distribution rankles his wrath in
degree that calls for resen tment of a post
election Injustice 10 patent factor of the
Democratic successes. Mr.. Weissig and
Mr.. TroppmaD sought office in the Mint,
but the imDerturbable Daggett would not
heed their claims, even though it was ar
gued that, in addition to other acts uf pro-
priety, he would right the wrongs of local
Ofice-holders. Result, they were not ap-
pointed.
F. ii. Rosenbaum is another of the
aggrieved. His name was presented to
Mr.. Cleveland as that of German Demo-
erat qualified, by reason of his business
attalnments. to successfully manage the
money factory up on Fifth and Jessie
streets. The appoin tment of MI. Daggett
is conclusive proof that Mr.. Rosenbaum's
claims did not avail.
These complaints bid fair to cause con-
siernation in the local Democracy, buL
Chairman Pepper says he knows nothing
about the alleged trouble.
"The German Democrats have not been
sighted" he said. Far from it. They
have been accorded every honor that
could be conferred upon them. If they
have substantial grievance | have not
been apprised of it. l have not been ap-
preached with reference tn their particular
claims for patronage, and l am convinced
that the entire dlssensiOn has arisen from
the hasty remarks of some disgruntled as
pirants. The German Democrats. as a
body, are too loyal and too reasonable to
desert the party because of a few minor
complaints"
This latter remark of Mr.. Popper's was
induced when the information was given
him that a plan for organized detection
had been formulated and was in active
progress.
AS gathered from a number of the ad-
herents of the disappointed, the plan of
retaliation is planned as follows: A mass
meeting of German Democrats is TO be
shortly called, and the plants will be pub
licIy expressed. 1t is expected to enlist
the entire sympathy of the German vote.
and then platform will be prepared that
contemplates the formation of a new and
independent party. With the accessions
and present strength the leaders of the
revolt hope to gam membership of fully
10000 voters. However. the promising
fight ia but in its incipiency. and it may
die a-bornin'. Mr.. Pepper says that it is
an unhealthy growth. and Will perish of
inanition when it sees the light of general
committee Investigation.
The builders of the new party are going
to make it wide and long and broad and
fit it to the likes of all American or
natuTaliZed male citizens of 81 years or up-
ward. Among the cardinal virtues OF the
promised platform will be an anti-railroad
clause. based on the mostapproved methods
of subduing the baneful Southern Pacific.
Mr.. Troppman has practically concluded
his plans for the evening up of rights and
titles to patronage, and it is expected that
he will publicly proclaim them within a
few 6ays,