The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-18
GATOR AND FUSION.

If Thomas V. Gator has not been duped
and deceived by the Democrats who ar
ranged with him the terms of Popocrat
fusion in this State he will be chosen
United States Senator If the fusionists
succeed in electing majority of the next
Legislature. Mr.. Gator was nominated
for Senator by the Populist convention,
and as the Democrats have no avowed
candidate he naturally regards himself as
being the only candidate for that Office
before the people on the fusion ticket.
An interview with Mr.. Gator published
In The CALL this morning gives review
of the situation in the fusion camp suf-
ficiently clear to be understood by all.
Mr.. Gator was asked: edo you mean to
say that the resolution to effect fusion
pledged the Democrats to favor the cleo
ton OF the nominee of the Populists for
the position of United States Senator?"
To this he replied: "No, 1 do not mean to
say that and do not wish to be understood
that way. I think you will agree that
am the logical candidate for the United
States Senatorship from either side of the
House, Democratic or Populist." In an
swer to the question, "Why do you think
the Democrats will support you for the
United States SenatorshipP" he answered,
81 find none of the leaders are hostile.
also find that the rank and file are
friendly. The terms of fusion or union
under the resolution took in joint action
on Legislature, Congressman and Presi-
dent"
From these statements it is clear thst
if the Democratic coquette has not said
yes to Mr.. Gators wooing she has at least
smiled ON his hopes and has n OF said no.
Mr.. Gator believes himself to be the logi-
cal candidate of the fusionists and finding
the Democratic leaders are not openly
hostile while the rank and file are SEEM
ingly friendly, he advocates the fusion
scheme with all the ardor of a frank and
unsuspecting nature which in its inno-
cence of guile never doubts that logic win
rule in politics.
The people of California will have to
deal with the issue on the showing that
has been made public. 1t may be possible
and even probable that the Democratic
managers are fooling the frank, open
minded Populist who is trusting them.
If such be the case, however, it is not
known to the public. The voters of Cali
fornia, therefore, in the election of mem
bers Of the Legislature, will have 10 decide
whether they wish the State to be repre-
sented in the United States Senate by
Senator who will vote with PETER, Allen
and Tillman or one who will vote with
Allison, Sherman, Hoar and other stall
wart supporters of the party of Lincoln,
Garfield and Grant; whether California
will aid the vagaries of Populism or stand
for the well-tried policies of protection,
reciprocity and bimetallism.
There are reasons for believing the
fusion scheme proposes that Populists
shall vote for Democrats for the State
Senate, while Democrats shall vote for
Populists to the Assembly. By this
scheme the Senators who will hold over
will help White to secure reelection two
years from now, and the Populist Assem-
blymen will elect Gator this winter. There
is therefore double play in the game. 1t
is proposition of swapping one senator
ship for the other without regard to party
principles or political measures. Such a
bargain makes one OF the most important
issues OF the State campaign. No voter in
any legislative district can afford to ignore
it. We cannot consent to have the great
interests and industries of California mis-
represented in the United States Senate
by free-trade Democrat and fiat-money
Populist. We must put none but Repub-
licans on guard at Washington.