The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-22
JOHN DAGCETT
THE NEW BOSS,
Succeeds Foote as the State
Leader of the Demo
Gratis.
DONE AT SACRAMENTO.
Now the Mint Superintendent
Can Dictate TO All His
Minions.
MAY ALSO FRAME POLICIES.
Will Name Nineteen of the Twenty
Additional Members of the
Central Committee.
MAY ALSO FRAME POLICIES.

Ont OF the fuSs ana feathers, the Jury
and the fighting of the recent Democratic
Convention at Sacramento comes a new
boss for the Democratic party OF Cal-for-
MIA. He is John Daggett. Hereafter no
Democrat may aspire TO party prominence
in this State except by the consent of the
man who for years ruled in Siskiyou, but
who will hereafter as completely control
the party desunies of Alameda county.
The fact that Alameda is first on the roll
call makes it matter of some Importance
TO leading politician of the State, for by
the initial vote he may at a moments
notice indicate his policy and his wishes.
After this, the saying will be current
among Democrats that"As goes Alameda
so goes the rest of the State"
At the beginning of the Sacramento
convention W. W. Foote was regarded as
q more important factor in California poll
tics than John Daggett. At the close of
the session their positions were reversed.
and the change is final. When Mr.. Foote
made peace with Mr.. Daggett through the
good offices OF Frank Gould he abandoned
his position as leader and Daggett stepped
TO the front. Foote had set his heart on
going TO Chicago as q delegate at-large,
and fearing that his chances were imper-
lied by the opposition OF Daggett 1t ap-
pears that he consented 10 a truce.
One of the last things done by the Sac
ramento convention was to authorize
Chairman Gould to add twenty members
to the State Central Committee.
When that list Is made up it will be
seen that Daggett has named at least nine
teen OF them. He may get the whole
twenty. There is nothing to stop him
from doing so if he desires. The fact
that Daggett is to-day the most potent
factor in the Democratic party of this
State is due TO his activity and his ability
TO handle and give out more patronage
than any other man. The Mint, OF which
he is superintendent, he has used arbitra-
rily for the advancement of his own politi-
cal interests by the making and changing of
appointments. The other Federal depart
ments in this State are honeycombed with
his favorites. Notwithstanding declara-
tions of opposition in certain quarters a
great many OF his friends have soft billets
in the State service.
Daggett has all the qualities of the
modern boss, for he looks out for places
for his followers, and modern followers
demand this as the first condition of disoi-
pleship. Daggett is cool, calculating,
patient, untiring, ana he has that quality
=
requisite of the up-to-date political boss.
In Sacramento he was seldom seen and
never heard except in private. He made
no speeches on the floor Of the convention,
though he could have had q hundred
proxies. Yet his influence was manifested
in every ballot that was cast. He did not
shout or rail in barrooms or hotel Hobbies
At the beginning OF the session Congress
man Mcguire was the leading candidate
Tor delegate at large TO the National con-
vention st Chicago. When the votes were
counted he was the lowest in the list of
the four successful mpetitorS Daggett
could have defeated him If he had thought
1t worth while TO do so. he can defeat
Mcguire for Congress, but probably will
not throw his influence that way. as Ma
guire is less in the way in Washington
than in California. As q matter of fact g
man almost drops out of State politics the
moment he goes to the National capital.
Among the Romans when an ambitious
commander became troublesome st home
II was the custom TO give him a commits
sion as pro-consul and send him abroad
to rule some Imperial colony, where, no
longer surrounded by his partiSans and
sdherents, mis- power and influence on the
central government became quickly min
imized. That form of honorable Danish
ment greatly embles the present
method of disposing of rising politicians
when they cannot be brought under the
yoke OF the ruling spirit n the home
circle.
This may somewhat apply even 70 the
case OF Senator Stephen NJ. White. 4 few
years ago White s name was constantly on
the Democratic tongue. Now he is scarce
~ heard OF among the practical men of
the party who conduct its councils and
dominate its policy. But Stephen NJ.
White could not be political boss in Cali.
Ia sc ht-sGe
which is not TO his discredit.
Likewise ". ". Foote has not the quail
fcations for q boss. He clearly showed
this by his coarse in Sacramento. He is
entirely too frank, too impetuous. His
bitter little speec in announcing the vote
OF Alameda County on the question of
sustaining the ruling of Temporary Chair
man Ruddock, saying that his county cast
its vote I'm behalf OF decency," lost him
many friends and gained him no new sup
port. But that is only one phase of his
character which disqualifies him for boss
ship. Mr.. Foote has not the patience to
dole out party places TO the hungry hordes
OF camp-tollower that are known TO all
political organi cations.
In large, generous way he would go as
FAR as any man 10 assist friend to a good
position, but he could not endure the
drudgery OF parcehng out paltry Jobs to
needy and persistent hangers-on. Mr.
Foote has many charming traits. These
mostly initiate against his chances for
achievements as boss. On these ne NAV
be sincerely congratulated. though they
bar him from success in politics
With John Daggett ii is different He
likes this kind of MOL in the muck OF the
political morass and is content TO wait
He who was read out of the Democratic
party by the Stockton convention was not
discouraged. He waited until Demo-
cratic administration was entrenched at
Washington and then demanded and Sc
cured the choicest plum of CALIFORNIA;
National patronage despite the strenuous
objections of CALIFORNIA; most eminent
and most influential Democrats. Now his
game is abou. won, for he has practical
control of the party machinery, and those
politicians and journalists who do not like
10 serve under his banner viii have the
great American privilege of walking out.
1t is safe 10 predict that Frank H.
Gould will rise no higher in his party, nor
will his future be so pleasant as has been
his career for the past four years. 1t is
true that he has succeeded in obtainin 2
positions in the Mint and in some State
institutions for several of his relatives,
but that will be the extent of his political
prosperity. From this date he is the fac
iotum OF John Daggett, Just as is John