The record-union., 1896-08-23
ARTHUR McEWEN TALKS
ABOUT
SAN FRANCISCO POLITICS.
Gossip at Political Headquarters
Gertrude Atherton's Pungent Pen.

It's own sake should visit the headquar-
ters of the Republican State Commit
tee, and converse with Chairman Nc
Laughlin; or the headquarters of the
Democratic State Committee, and listen
to Chairman Afford. 1t is inspiring to
hear these statesmen talk and to hang
upon the lips of the other statesmen
who sit around and prophesy.
There is not the least Doubt said
Major Mclaughlin to me, in that frank,
hearty and convincing way of his.
that we shall carry this State for Nc
kinley and Hobart. 1 don't know any
more about the rest of the country
than what I read in the newspapers,
but as to California, of course, my po-
sition makes me an expert. There is
not, however, a shadow of question in
my mind that the cause of patriotism,
protection and prosperity will over
whelmingly triumph throughout the
Union"
Then it was said to him: Having
now done your official duty, Major, just
tell me what you think"
''Well,' returned Mclaughlin, drop
ping the official for a more human and
comfortable manner, things are really
looking quite bright for us in Califor-
mia. Six weeks ago 1 was scared, but
letters pour in upon me by the hatful
which give first-rate accounts of the
way things are going. The tide has
turned"
I am almost afraid to tell you what
L expect, lest you'd think me a luna
tic" said Chairman Afford, the resem-
blance of whom to Bryan is a source of
de to III 4
est satisfaction to himself. Letters
pour in upon me by the bushel, and
they all bring good news. The tide is
dead against Mckinley and the gold
standard. There is going to be a land
slide for Bryan and free silver in Cali
fornia on election day. 1 have, of
course, no special means of knowing
how the thing stands nationally, but
you can judge for yourself. Sentiment
Is all one way. It's tidal wave
There was no use in visiting the head
quarters of the Populists and Silver
parties. Nobody yet ever heard any
thing but one story at any headquar-
ters, at least when the Chairman has
felt that he was being interviewed for
publication. But if you stay around
and the talk gradually grows unre-
strained, there is generally a chance
to ascertain the real thoughts of the
generals.
Major Mclaughlin is evidently dis
gusted and angry at the contentious of
the local leaders. He has done his best
TO bring Spreckels and Burns to an un-
derstanding, but without success. The
prospect at present is that there will be
double Republican municipal and leg
islative ticket, and Republican candi-
dates for Congress opposing each other
in two districts. 81 led the horses to
water, but 1 couldn't compel them to
drink, and / wash my hands of the
business" said the Major to a reporter.
Mr.. Afford preferred to talk of free
silver and popular sentiment rather
than of the local divisions among the
Democracy, who are also likely to have
two municipal and legislative tickets.
And 1t is pretty certain that the non
partisans will reappear with a ticket of
their own. There will be a deal of in
dependent voting, and no man will
know, or be near to knowing, who will
win office in San Francisco. The press
is influential only in its news columns
here The people have been taught by
the newspapers to despise editorials.
Republicans who are not politicians re-
sent the assumption of Spreckels and
Burns that they are the owners of the
party and have right to divide its gar
ments among them. The offer of 10 per
cent. of the spoils of victory made by
Spreckels to Burns as an inducement to
him to put UP his knife and come into
camp was generous, noble, no doubt,
but it was rejected with scorn. and
Burns thinks he ought to have an in
telligent public's sympathy. The Buck
leyites, too, feel that the people ought
TO be with them out of sheer pity be-
cause the Junta declines to offer them
any per cent at ali. The delusions un-
der which professional politicians live
cause the surprises they get from the
ballot-box. This year will awaken
some confident and complacent bosses
from the hallucination that they have
but to press the button in order to have
overwhelming majorities brought to
them by a respectful public. 1t is too
early yet to say just how the table for
the game viii be set, but however it may
be set, the people will have hearty dis
position to kick it over and rebuke ego
tism, impudence, stupidity, ignorance
and blind sordidness.
To the suggestion that the Republi-
cans would have a lively and enjoyable
campaign because of the ample funds at
their command. Major Mclaughlin.
with hungry eye and an irritated voice.
made answer: Where are the funds to
come from? The newspapers are fun
OF stories about how Mark Hanna is
throwing money around like a farmer
sVer II h
and haven't heard about any of it COM
ing out here. 1 wish some of it would
come, for we require it, but Tn afraid
we needn't look for help from the out
side. It's possible that we have dis
gusted the national managers with our
fighting. and that they've made up their
minds to let us go il alone and do the
best we can for ourselves. Callfornians
have a reputation for quarreling that
extends over the whole United States"
The demand for campaign literature,
the Major said, was tremendous, and an
interesting point about the demand was
that as great an interest appeared to be
taken in the tariff as in the financial
question.
AT Democratic headquarters poverty
was confessed, but in cheerfulness.
'sThe gold men who have bolted," IL was
explained, ARE mostly the rich men of
the party. to whom we used to look for
the contributions that put fire under our
boiler. But we shall appeal to the peo-
pie for money and practice the closest
economy. Really, the campaign is run
ming itself, or rather, the Republicans
are running it for us. The help we are
getting from the press of the opposition
In this city is most encouraging. These
r,a r,o,-s cr.aatad silver. men by tens of