The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-23
.AINEY CUT A FIGURE IN 1T.

The coalition which was disclosed in
the Republican County Committee at It's
last meeting between Dan NJ. Burns and
the followers of Fire Commissioner Brown
is the subject of no end of gossip among
the politicians. No one seems to under
stand the cause of it. although the fact
that il is a living, existent fact appears to
be no longer doubtful. Moreover, there
does not appear to be any doubt that by
joining forces Brown and Burns have tenn
porarily at least Wrested control of the
Republican County Committee from
Martin Kelly and Philip Crimmins.
Up to last Friday night, when the Burns
Brown coalition became a recognized fac
tor in politics, Kelly and Crimmins had
been looked upon as the virtual managers
Of the local Republican machine. Al
though a few sagacious prophets saw In
their methods the seeds of ultimate defeat,
among the workers they were credited with
the power to capture the State convention
delegates and handle the nominations of
the coming municipal convention.
Since the development Of the coalition
on Friday last, however, all this talk has
changed. The former followers Of Kelly
and Crmmins-the men whose physical
proves has enabled them TO stuff pr
mary elections and any convention dele
gatiOns-bave now consigned them to the
hard and thankless task of winning their
districts" This means that if they shall
succeed in controlling the delegation
elected from their Assembly district to the
State convention they will receive just as
much recognition from the party organiza-
ton as that ia CT entities them to.
The alacrity with which Kelly and his
partner have been consigned 10 oblivion is
significant of two principal things.
Il indicates, first, that the coalition be-
tween Burns and Brown is genuine one,
and second, that it possesses the elements
Of success.
All tits has led to the question being
frequently repeated. How was this coali-
tlon between Burns and Brown brought
about? ana further, what does it politically
indicate? Burns is a Police Commissioner
and Brown member of the Fire Commits
sion. Does it indicate pool for offensive
and defensive purposes between those TWO
arms of the city government? 1t is 20
these questions thatthe politicians are now
devotiug their attention.
All cApidud AiOu VI Vic dBOudl9 Vi Odu
Burns affiliating with Sam Brown, VINO
has always been an out and out Kelly and
CrimminS politician, will be found III the
following story told yesterday by an ex-
politician OF note:
1.-The personal feeling upon which this
coalition is based, for machine politicians
are 0ftener given TO sentiment than people
suppose" he said, runs back to the cor
rupt Legislature of 1891. At that session
the fight between Kelly and Crimmins
and Dan Burns began. Burns had a bill
introduced into the Legislature to re-
organize tile Fire Department and in order
to defeat il the frst-named bosses were
compelled TO make MANY alliances. Among
other men to whom they applied for assist
ance was Sam Rainey. :he Democratic
boss, then just deposed from power, but
still commanding considerable legislative
influence.
Although Rainey had but few votes in
the Legislature he had hatful of brains
and he drew the plans upon which Kelly
and Crlmmlns finally managed to defeat
the Burns bill. Had that measure passed
Dan would have secured control of the
Fire Department and Immediately ousted
all the Democratic as well as Republican
politicians and l presume put his own
friends in their places.
Later on there was a deal down here
between Rainey and Kelly as result of
that fight. Several wOrn-out Democrats
were dismissed from The department and
Kelly's men put in their places. Then the
Wallace Grand Jury appeared, and Rainey
skipped TO Ireland to await the subsistence
Of the storm. Shortly after mis- return
the fight Of two years ago came on. Upon
taking up the reins Of the Fire Depart
ment where he was compelled so hastily to
drop them, RaiHey found Thomas J. Par
sons in the Fire Commission. Exactly
how he had got there l do not remem Der,
but he was there. and soon be and Rainey
got together. Sam told him that if he be-
haved himself and did not disturb bis
Democratic friends there would be no
trouble. Otherwise, there might be.
Parsons confided to Sam his ambition
to get the Republican nomination for Sher-
if at the then coming Republican
County convention.
ITO make long story short Rainey
agreed to aid him in consideration Of his
remaining in statu quo in the Fire Com
mission. So Rainey went to Martin Kelly,
told him of Parsons ambition and for
mally recommended that be confer on him
the nomination for Sheriff. I understand
they talked over the matter for week.
and that in the course of the talk Kelly.
Rainey, Parsons aud Crimmins Iunched
together twice. 1t was finally agreed.
however, that Parsons should have the
shrievalty nomination. Rainey thought
Kelly was deceiving Parsons all the time
ana one day he warned the latter to look
out Parsons rounded the two bosses M
and demanded to know whether they in
tended to keep their contract 1t was then
that Kelly informed the Fire Commissioner
that he was going to nominate w. j.
Blattner for Sheriff. and that it had been
decided to put him upon the ticket for
Supervisor from the Eleventh Ward.
Parsons was as mad as hornet, and