The San Francisco call., 1896-04-02

which is to bring into play in the local
Democratic field of practical politics a
new and quite interesting force, and Ed
Lanigan is to play it as it ought to be
played.
The idea IS to boost Mr.. Lanigan into toe
position OF the Democratic boss of San
Francisco, which position is TO be attained
when the decent element" of the Junta
has driven Chris Buckley and Sam Rainey
into the last sewer, destroyed 'bossism" ="
and thoroughly disinfected the party. If
the Juuta wins Lani gan IS to be hailed as
king.
:, OF course. this merely describes the pres
ent good intentions of certain people.
Political schemes, big and little, are
nightly uncertain, and We'll have to wait
to see whether this scheme will end like a
fiZZ, or whether there comes a Lanigan, a
bright star of a new Democratic destiny
who is 10 wind up the historic careers OF
Chris Buckley and Sam Rajney az Buck
ley, rising as Lanigan now rises, chased
Mannix and Brady into oblivion.
This brilliant scheme is the last resort Of
the anti-Rainey portion Of the Junta, and
by it they figure on snatching the organ
iZation from Rainey's very claws and on
giving him the licking that he was going
to give them. AS Rainey has the organ
iZation within his grasp something Ma
poleonlc was necessary. Now there will
be hot fight between the Raineyites and
the Laniganese, and one of the sides will
capture the works. Gavin McNab pre-
diets that+in a few weeks all the Demo
Gratis in San Francisco will be thronging
the local dancing academies in their
eagerness to be learning step for Lani-
gan's BALL.
The recollection of little recent history
is necessary to understand the situation.
Early st:October Gavin McNab saw some
moccasin tracks around town. He recog-
nized them. as he used to walk in the same
kind, and he. knew that Chris buckley was
quietly gathering in the old Democratic
general. committee of 45o, (which was
elected in 1880 by the anti Buckley re-
organizers. McNab managed to hustle to-
gether some forces before Buckley was
through, and Buckley was beaten by the
election OF A. a. Watkins TO the vacant
craftsmanship by a vote of 164 to 154.
Buckley didn't quit, and at the next meet
ing, a short time afterward Buckley had
small majority. 1t was at that exciting
meeting that the defeated McNab element
turned out the gas, made off with the roll
and tried TO effect an adjournment sine
die by triekery. They withdrew and left
Buckley in possession of the majority. In
the meantime a new general committee
had been appointed by that committee Of
fifty, and this new committee, arbitrarily
ruled by McNab and w. P. Sullivan, be-
came an independent organiza ton.
The forces that McNab was able to ge,
and hold together through these events
were, first, Rainey and the Fire Depart
ment; second, Daggett, who was politi.
callv associated with Rainey; third, Col
lector of Internal Revenue Welburn. and
fourth, scattering anti Buckleyites, inciuu
ing Max Pepper. Sam Braunhart, ct al
McNab was personally and politically
friendly and influential with these forces
Lanigan was included in Welburn':
strength, as he is a deputy in that office
These three men-Daggett. Rainey ano
Welpufn-wielded their power. of course
through patronage. 1t was the force o
jobs held by mem bers of the committee OF
their friends that gave effect to the orders
to stand against Buckley.
The combination from the start was
heterogeneous and discordant one. The
movement was declared to be one to down
Buckleyism. Dosslsm and corruption in
the party and in favor Of "decency and
purity" Yet they pressed Sam Rainey to
their bosoms. The inconsistency was ex
planned by saying, "Oh, we are using
Rainey for purpose, and when the time
comes we'h dump him, and there were
many in the Junta really as hostile to