The herald., 1894-10-07
THE POLITICAL BALL ROLLING.
Senator White on the Proposed
Deep Water Harbor.
Preparations for Active Campaign
Work in the County.
Two wsll Attended Democratic Meet
tngs in the City Last Night-CoI.
Hswitps Name Gets
Twisted-Notess

grsssional situation as it affects the pro.
posed deep water harbor for Southern
California:
The election or defeat OF Mr.. Patton
involves an issue OF more than ordinary
importance. Upon his success, to a
great extent. depends the location OF the
contemplated deep water harbor. in
which Los Angeles county 10 vitally
concerned. The engineers OF the
United States government, and all of
the authorities having control of such
affairs, have conceded and determined
that deep water harbor upon the Los
Angeles coast is q commercial necessity,
not only for the benefit of this immedi-
ate region, but for the advancement OF
transcontinental business. But the
difficulty arises with reference to its To-
cation. Upon the one hand, the vari-
ious boards of United States engineers
who have investigated the subject, have
concluded and reported that the harbor
should be located at San Pedro. On the
other hand, the Southern Pacific Rail-
road company, represented by Mr..
Huntington and other gentlemen, who
nre locally involved at Santa Monica,
claim that Port Los Angeles is the proper
point. The matter was brought before
the senate committee on commerce upon
more than one occasion. During the
last session special hearing was had at
which the chamber OF commerce OF Los
Angeles (Which by an emphatic majority
decided in favor of San Pedro), was rep
resented by Mr.. Patton. Mr.. Hunting-
ton appeared personally. He introduced
his engineer, Mr.. Corthell, very skill
f,l uu nrQ to
Monica case from a technical standpoint.
Mr.. Huntington made an address, hich
wae exceedingly able and thorough, and
as special plea in his own interest,
cannot be easily surpassed. He and
Mr.. Patton were opposed to each
other before that committee, and
thus, as far aa the authorities
at Washington are concerned,
Mr.. Patton is known as the particular
representative of the San Pedro side of
the controversy. Mr.. Patton stated that
the sentiment Of che people of this local.
ity was overwhelmingly in favor of San
Pedro. That his declaration was correct
we all believe. l think it is the truth
thst there is almost practical unanimity
(if we except the region Immediately in
cidental to the proposed improvements)
among the shippers OF Los Angeles to
the effect that San Pedro should be
chosen. Mr.. Patton returned home and
was nominated fo- congress. His nom
ination was opposed and his election is
opposed by the Southern Pacific COM
pany. Quite natural. Those gentlemen
cannot be blamed for their antagonism
to his candidacy, though we certainly
have right to censure them for the
methods they are employing in their at
tempts to defeat him. But they know
(Rnj they are persons OF great capacity
that Patton's election will be direct
endorsement of the San Pedro PROPOSE
ton, and they know. too, that his de-
feat, no matter by whom, will be re-
garded as an anti San Pedro triumph. l
am aware that Mr.. McLacblan, without
any intimation of his personal views,
and in the presence OF very great press
ure, has declared that he will support
the report OF the government engineers
shat he will abide by their decision. But
he has not. as | have said, expressed his
own opinion upon the intrinsic merits
OF the proposition, and If he is elected,
and merely appears before the commit
lee ON rivers and harbors, and states
tnat he supports the project because
the ecgineers have recommended it, and
manifests no personal enthusiasm, and
does not even venture an opinion of his
own. although the railroad is vigorously
attacking the engineer's report every
day, it cannot be that his opposition will
have any weight. Mr.. McLachlan has
not intimated that he thinke San Pedro
the best place. nor has he sought to
answer the charge that he will oppose q
new report in favor of Santa Monica, or
that he will vote TO stand by the present
report. II MIR. Patton is defeated, Mr..
Huntington. bearing triumphant
smile, will appear before the senate
commerce committee once more, and
will say with much show of truth:
"Gentemen, have won my fight before
the people of Los Angeles county. You
all remember Mr.. Patton. He came be-
fore this committee in 1894 and vigor-
ously assailed Santa Monica as barbor
location. He not only appeared for him
self as citizen and taxpayer, but also
represented the chamber of commerce of
Los Angeles, and he declared TO you
that the people of his county were over
whelmingly in favor of San Pedro re-
gardless OF their political views. His
opponent, very conservative person,
was known as San Pedro man, and he
merely said that he would abide by the
any way to defend the same, and he
said aa little about the subject as practi-
cable. The people of Los Angeles
county, knowing that Mr.. Patton was
and is radical upon this subject, and
knowing that he was opposed to Santa
Monica on its merits, defeated him at
the polls, and thus negatived che state
ment which he made, to the effect that
his neighbors are opposed to investing
government money at Port Los Ange-
les"
This will be powerful argument. I
have ssid many times to my associates
upon the commerce committee, that l be-
lieved the people of Los Angeles county
favored San Pedro, but if Mr.. Hunting
ton, ehould Mr.. McLachlan be success
full, asks me before that committee
whether l do not think that Mr.. Pstton's
defeat weakens my argument, will be
compelled to make the admission. While
my own views upon this subject viii
not be altered by the election of Mr.. Mo
Lachlan. yet my duty oompels me to
say to my constituents that my ability
to procure the location of the harbor at
San Pedro will in that event be de-
cidedly problematical. The fight against
Mr.. Patton is a railroad fight, based
upon his harbor views. That fact will
not only be known here, but 1t will be
thoroughly understood in Washington.
and his defeat will be there deemed to
be judgment by you against the prop.
osition which he ia seeking to promote
in the interest of the prosperity OF this
locality.
These are facts worthy of the consider