The San Francisco call., 1895-11-05
BUCKLEY WINS THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE,

strength out of Buckley's hands and to
! keep it for himself. But it was a selfish
interest and a strategic necessity that
led him to enable the McNabers to defeat
O'Brien and elect Watkins chairman of
| the general committee a few weeks ago.
He had nothing in common" himself. He
said nothing, smiled sardonicaily at
the political leadership of the Junta CO.
operative politicians, heard that they who
variously hated him or were ashamed of
his company were giving it out that they
were using him for high practical pur-
pose, and would soon get rid of him, and
he found himself with only two or three
men in the fifty that were to recognize the
party and run it. Rainey is looking out
for numbe one and for practical results,
though his talk is so largely about crops
and reform.
Rainey held an important key to the
situation and he waited to make terms.
Now he has made them. He and his old
friend and companion have agreed. Last
Saturday afternoon Buckley was being led
down Montgomery street, and at the cor
ner of Sutter Rainey stood talking to a
friend. The two met, shook hands and
stood and talked for full hour. This is
not evidence of a political partnership at
all, but it illustrates the extent of the hos
tility between the two old partners, the
story of which some people believed not
very long ago.
The understanding of the situation that
exists on the inside is that Buckley has
agreed not to interfere with the Fire De-
partment or Chief Sullivan in any way
The department is to be Rainey's own.
There are other features to the compact,
but that is the chief one, and there is no
doubt that it exists. Rainey was in a
position to exact terms highly favorable to
himself, and though Sam Rainey may not
declare his love through the papers or do
his political work in hall, the town will
not likely see him in hospital through
fighting Boss Buckley too hard.
When Buckley was interviewed at length
in The CALL few weeks ago he expressed
no alarm at the Junta and kindly said that
the party must be united and harmoniZed
and 1T would be because Democrats always
get together in the end. Already he has
the party machine absolutely, has big
men of the City trooping in to see him at
his bidding, has a perfect organization
established in not only every district but
every precinct of the City, and is
has every promise of victory. Each day
sees a new flock of lambs return to the
fold and his influence grows stronger each
day with the prestige of his success. And
he has Sam Rainey. He sees the Junta
disintegrating and there is in the party a
spreading disposition to either welcome
him back or endure him.
Buckley taught those fellows all they
know about politics, but he didn't teach
them all he knew" is a favorite express
sion with the jubilant lambs nowadays
Buckley's programme has been as
shrewd as all his methods. He has made
ready to win primary, and now he puts
forth the plan SO eminently right and fair
and Democratic that even enemies must
acquiesce, Submit the matter to the peo-
pie at a primary election and let them
decide"
rTb;S DIon 10 +ab;nr +bo ,,-;r5 III .,-4 - {
the Juntas sails.
According to the laws of the general
committee fifty members may petition for
a meeting, which the chairman is bound
to call. II Chairman Watkins should re-
fuse to call a meeting vice-president can
call it and the party machinery can go
right to work. Such meeting will proba-
bly, be held within ten days, and at it the
Junta's programme will be condemned
and a primary election called.
John Mccarthy, president of the Occi-
dental Club, said last night: II find the
sentiment OF the party generally in favor
OF the present general committee provid-
ing for primary to elect its successor. 1t
is the only fair and the only Democratic
way. Let the people in the districts say
who shall represent them. With few ex-
ceptions, l think all elements of the party
days. | think such an election will
be held within thirty days. No, I
don't think Mr.. Watkins will refuse
to abide by the rules and call meeting of
the general committee if fifty members
ask for it. / think he is fair and honest.
and will do what is right. As to the Junta,
1 don't wish to speak disparagingly of any
of those gentlemen, but don't think they
can hold together. They can't agree on
any proposition hardly. Such people can't
go into fight and hold together But
feel sure from what know, that a large
Buckley will agree in the fair and just
| primary plan.'