The morning call., 1894-07-27
STILL IN DOUBT.
The Democratic Primary
Is Uncertain.
TECHNlCALITIES ARISING.
Much Depends on Max Pepper
for the Future.
FIRE DEPARTMENT INFLUENCES.
Commissioner Mcdonald Says lie
VIII Resign if Rainey Gets Con.
troI-CIeansing the Rolls.

At the eleventh hour affairs are taking
an extraordinary turn in the local Democ-
racy Rather, it is a series OF starting
events than one decided change, and as
the process of evolution continues from
day to day the situation appears TO De
growing more hopelessly tangled. First
Max Pepper astonished bis party by re-
signing from his position and leaving the
machine at a critical moment. Then the
rank and file declared that Buckley and
Raney had positive control of the party
and nothing could avert complete disaster
Thinking Democrats have been assldu-
ouslv devising some scheme to thWaTt the
ex-boss and so save The party from re-
currence of disgrace, and their plans Will
likely be offered tonight Tor approval OF
the general committee if such meeting
can be held. There is a consensus Of
opinion that they will endeavor to keep
the present committee in power long
enough TO form new plan of organization
whereby Buckley could be defeated.
The meeting this evening will take place
10 Pioneer Hall. where an interesting and
exciting session is expected. An effort
will be made to prevent holding the pri-
mary election, and if it be successful the
first step to Buckley's downfall will have
been taken. 4 technical point has been
raised regarding the primaries, which II
Jaws and rules are adhered to ought to
decide The question. Max Pepper has not
resigned as chairman of the general COM
mittee and remains in power, retaining all
privileges and rights vested in his office.
One of these rights, exclusive to the chair
man, according to the present plan of
organization, is that he must call meet
ings and order primary elections tc be held.
Pepper has not yet called a meeting to
consider the postpOnement of the primary.
He has kept aloOf from all matters of
management since his resignation as chair
man of the purity committee was read last
Saturday night Consequently. the party
finds itself in the position of an army
ready for action, but without general
whose word alone can move it.
Fire Commissioner j. w. Mcdonald was
more than surprised yesterday when be
read in The CALL that Buckley and
Rainey had many energetic assistants in
the Fire Department he at once threat
ened 10 instigate a searching inquiry, in
which he will have the hearty cu-0pera-
ton of Chief Sullivan. 1t was Commits
sioner Mcdonald who framed and caused
to be presented TO the Supervisors a reso-
luton prohibiting members of the Fire
DEPARTMENT from interfering in politics.
This resolution was adopted, and under it
any member of the department found
guilty of participating in politics should
be summarily dismissed.
Five members of the department were
discharged under this new rule for help
ing Burns in his primaries, and at this
early stage of proceedings ole employe
has been dismissed because he insisted on
engaging in the, Democratic primary con-
test. He is P. Curran, carpenter in the
Corporation Yard. Curran participated
in meetings and fights in the Twenty
eighth District, and succeeded in getting on
the ticket as nominee for the canvassing
committee. Chief Sullivan heard of Cur
rams actions and called him TO task, but
Curran claimed that as he was a
mechanic and not a fireman he would re-
main in politics and enjoy his rights as
citizen. The Commissioners and Chief
could not see things in that light, and let
CuUran free to maintain his rights, etc.
81 am opposed to men in the department
taking part in politics Of any kind" said
Commissioner Mcdonald, land l went
into the board with the understanding that
politics would not be tolerated. [ had the
resolution prohibiting men from partici-
pating actively in politics presented to the
Board of Supervisors. Chief Sullivan will
not have his men NEEDLE in politics, and
know he will make an investigation of
those statements made in the press. 1t
may be difficult to prove that the men are
in politics. as they keep out of sight, but if
there be any proof against them they will
be dismissed.
eff the department gets into politics and
comes under the control of Mr. Rainey I
will resign from the board. for | would
not remain under such a condition of
affairs"
The purity committee had a busy ses-
sion last night at the Baldwin Annex.
Hundreds of interested Democrats from
the districts crowded the rooms and all
clamored for hearing.
D. j. Gordan and Stanley Allen, crossed
from the roll OF the Forty-second District.
were restored on an affidavit that they
have lived in the district longer than the
time required.
j. w. Powers of 1901 Union street was
restored to the roll of the Forty-frst Dis
trict. He declared he lived in the district
for thirty years.
About 80 voters who had signed the
Forty-frst District rolls were present in
answer to citations from the canvassing
committee. They had been cited to ap-
pear in the district, but took no notice of
the command. R. Mattingly, representing
the minority. had hundreds of protests
against names. Many of these names, be
said, were not known at addresses given.
About fourteen we're registered from
HeRly Davis house, 1906 Pacific avenue.
and Davis asserted they were all correct.
Tom Barton, 1892 Union street, answered
his name, which it was claimed was IN
known at his address.
IF old Ginger, there" referring to
Mattingly, had asked at the middle floor