The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-08
A "YELLow DO CT YEAR.

The success OF the Republicans in the
late elections have filed them with the
utmost confidence, so much so that it is
not an uncommon remark among them
| that they can elect their nominees who
ever they may be, or, in other language,
that they can elect ''yellow dog" this
year.
This confidence has caused an unusual
crop OF candidates. and in the list there
are not few who are of the yellow hue,
and it is not unreasonable to suppose
that some OF them will be nominated,
for the yellow dog ia sleIth in pursuit
Of Office.
There are those in the party who have
been advocates of reform methods in
politics, and have protested that they
wanted to give the fullest and fsirest OPP
portunity to the people to select candi-
dates, yet the state committee has fixed
the convention for she 10Th of June,
though the election is not to take place
for more than four and one-hRif months
thereafter, giving to the people long
time TO Investigate nominees after
the convention, and but very little
beforehand. This is undoubtedly q
scheme of the machine to pat mp
ring candidates and then press their
election under the party lash. 1t takes
the people some time to investigate and
determine upon their choice, for they
act individually and not through orgsni-
cation. The machine acts with pre-sr-
ranged directness Rad promptness.
With such haste and want of delibsrs
ton it is presumable that tine yellow
dog stands good chance to have place
on the ticket.
1t is we'll known that the machine in
this county has been quietly put in or
der and all deranged cogs repaired so as
to work with exactness. This has not
only brought out an unusual number of
candidates, but many of them are ma
chine men, and of the yellow dog order.
Being machine msn they are quite sure
to win. The activity of the candidates
is already unprecedented; and it is
painful to see candidates for the most
dignitied positions buttonholding and
manipulating bumners and descending
to the methods of ward politicians.
That the early date fixed for holding the
state convention is the work of the ma
chine is evidenced by the fact that Dan
Burns was the master spirit in the COM
mittee meeting, and that the represent
atives from Los Angeles county are
machine men and supported the propo-
sition.
This lie one mistake that grew out of
the confidence o. the Republican manip-
ulatora, that they can do what they
please and still carry the election; and
that others will follow may ne presumed.
1t is true that the Democratic party
has been apparently dismembered, yet
it should be observed that such amend
ments have been agreed upon to the
Wilson bill as have brought substantial
harmony in the senate, and as give sat-
isfaction to the protective element OF the
party. On that question the Democrats
are likely to be substan TALLY agreed.
On the silver question the Democrats
more nearly accord with public senti.
ment here than the Republicans. A
majority of the Democrats in both
branches Of congress are free silver coin
ere, while with few exceptions the Re-
publicaHs are golditss. The Populists
are more active than ever, and with
good nominations will probably carry
with them a large number of Repub-
lican votes. That party will also draw
heavily frcm the labor vote. The out
look is not as forid as the sanguins
Republicans regard it. Their yellow
dogs il nominated may turn out to be
dead dogs.
The candidates are SO numerous and
active, and combinations are going on in
such endless completely, that it need
not be surprising if there are leS zion of
sore heads after the nominations are
made. 1t looks very much that it will
be, instead of yellow dog year, dead
dog year for tho Republicans. The
spirit of independence is abroad smong
the people. They want a better govern
ment, and do not believe that it can be
secured through machine politics. 1t lie
historical fact that majority party is
not as apt to make good nominations as
minority party. The machine is more
apt to be potent in the former than in
the latter.