The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-09-29
THE DUTY OF CITIZENS.

The distribution of the spells OF Office
goes merTily on. Each boss convention
has It's stock of goods displayed on its
counter, and when the auctioneer puts up
this lot or that lot politicians rush fr-
ward and make grab at 1.-THE idea be-
ing that nomination is equivalent to an
election, and that the approval of Buckley
and Rainey on the one side, or Burns on
the other, is tantamount to a verdict by the
people at the polls. Its just possible that
before the game is called they may find
they have made mistake. Once before,
as We are told in holy writ, the taxeaters
of very ancient period went into battle
for spoil. and felt sure that it was within
their grasp. The mother of Sisera looked
out at a window and cried through the
lattice, "Why is his chariot so long in
coming? Why tarry the wheels of his
ehariots ?" But as she smoke, Sisera lay
dead in JaePs tent with a cruel pail
through his temples and mis- army was in
full flight from Mount Tabor.
No one proposes t. drive a nail through
the temples of either Buckley or Burns,
but it is on the cards that on election night
their hosts may be flying as the Canaantes
signs OF popular revolt against machine
domination gather and thicken on every
side.
The situation, in New York is beacon
light. New York is an intensely Demo-
cratic city. Out of total vote of about
5000 the Democrats in 1898 cast 147, 900
ballots and in 1892 175. co., Thus an upris-
ing against machine domination in New
York naturally takes the shape of revolt
against the Democracy that is, Tammany.
The NOn-Partisan committee of seventy,
which was not raised 10 the interest of the
Republicans or against the Democrats on
grounds of national policy, thus became
perforce an organization against Tammany,
and it is under that flag that il proposes to
fight the battle of municipal n on-partsan-
ship. 1t is in this view Of its possible use
fulness that the Herald of the 22d observes /:
IL the various elements which seek a pure
city government work together success will be
put beyond any sort OF doubt. But IL one or
more seltshly Insist on a partisan ticket the
result may be a Tammany triumph. There
should be but two tickets in the ield-Tam-
many ana Anti-Tammany. Al the head of the
latter should be candidate for Mayor on
whom Republicans. Democrats and Indepen-
dents can unite. Tile election OF such a candi-
date at this time is far more important 10 both
Republicans and Democrats than the slim
chance OF partisan success.
With all its faults the Herald has the
knack Of gauging public opinion correctly.
When 1t urges people to forego their party
feelings TO unite on good men for NUM-
cipal Office regardless of their political
opinions, it undoubtedly expresses the
hopes and wishes of ne people at large.
In a word, the American people all over
the country have come 10 their senses on
the subject of municipal office. and have
resolved to.put an end 10 the pernicious
practice OF choosing candidates exclusively
from the leaders of national political par
ties. This is reform which is bound to
make Roadway. because it is conformable
TO common. sense. 1t is long step in the
direction of reform TO ignore the impert-
nent nominations of the party conven-
tons, as if they had not been made, and
to support for Office men whose record and
whose private character are guarantees
that they will be faithful 10 their trust. 10
that line are the nominations Of Mayor
Ebert ana Clerk Haley; candidates for
other offices will probably be chosen by
the Non-Partisans on the same principle.
Above all, when ii comes to the Board OF
Super yisors, they will probably make sure
of men who can be tied to. II they do, 1t
will not matter much whom the politicians
may nominate.