The herald., 1894-09-22
METHODS OF CAMPAIGNING.

The Republican press severely criti-
cises the Democratic candidates. method
OF campaign work. He ia taken to task
because he devotes his speeches almost
exclusively to the discussion of questions
OF state policy and to the urgent neces-
sity OF economy in the cost OF our state
governments, instead of debating the
tariff and other national questions. They
point with pride to the fact that their
candidate discusses exhaustively the
national issues. giving to the cansiders-
tion OF the tariff tho most of his time on
the platform.
We believe that Mr.. Budd has adopted
the course which appeals more directly
Co the feelings of tho voter than that
which is pursued by Mr.. Estes. 1t
would not be wise to ignore national
issues altogether, nor do we understand
that Mr.. Budd is smenabe to criticism
on that account. His tariff position is
onassailable. He stands with the most
advanced men of his party on that sub-
ject; and his position on the silver
question 10 unequivocal. But he is
making q state fight, and be confines
himself principally to the local ques-
tions which are OF the despest interest
to our people, and over which, if elected,
he can exercise affirmative control.
Whilst not disparaging tine method of
public discussion adopted by Mr.. Estee.
we are free TO admit that Mr.. Budd
brings himself and his cause nearer
home to the people when he dsvotes
himself to the local questions upon
which they all feel acutely. There is
time for all things.
When Mr.. Budd shows that it costs
two and three times more money to run
the govsrnmento of California than it does
to run other states that have much
larger populations. and pledges himself
to use the great power Of the position
he seeks to reduce our state expenses 80
that suoh glaring inequalities shall not
exist, he 10 making Q campaign that
ought to prove more effective than if he
confined his speeches to national ques-
tions. Mr.. Estee would, in our opinion,
do we'll to take lesson from his antag-
onist, and deal more largely and directly
with local issues than be does.
After all, that which Immediately
concerns the people OF this state at the
present time 10 the enormous cost of
sustaining the government. During the
past decade its expenses have been
steadily increasing until they have
reached figure out of all reason. Our
state elssmosynsry inctitutions have
been 90 multiplied that the taxpayer
stands aghast at the enormous sums it
taken to lun them. The punishment of
crime is becoming an almost unbearable
curable insane. the feeble minded, ETC.,
is increasing in cost every year. Whilst
all are united in the desire to extend
the charities Of the state in all reason-
able directiona and to care properly for
the mentally afflicted, yet there is
general conviction that tho states be-
nevolence is abused, and that the cost
OF the state institutions is largely
in excess of what it ought to
be under an honest and business
like Administration. We have reached
the point at which public opinion cries
halt to lavish and extrsvsgant abuse OF
the states liberality. 1t must be re-
membered also that every community is
not only suffering from the enormous
expenditure Of state money. but that all
the municipal subdivisions Of tho state
are conducted upon the high-pressure.
high.salary principle of "the days Of
old. the days of gold, the days of 49,"
Whether Mr.. Budd is successful or
not in his campaign, he has taken the
right method of discussion before the
people to enlist their sympathy and to
secure their votes. Paul Gays to Timothy
that the man who fails to take care of those
nearest to him is worse than an infidel,
and this rehuke applies with equal force
to the citizens who neglect their home
affairs in order to mend those OF the en-
tire country.