The San Francisco call., 1896-02-10
The POLITICAL VOLCANO.
II Has Burst Into Activity in
East Oakland During
the Week.
TROUBLES OF A MINISTER.
Rev. Cader Edwards Davis Is Helped
Out of Difficulties by an Anony-
nous Correspondent.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,
Q0Q Rroadvvav Fab O

for professional politicians. Parties are
now so broken up that in local affairs
they may be said not to exist. Although
all the efforts of the political manipulators
are being directed toward hoodwinking
the body polite under all sorts of hlmsy
and transparent disguises it is certain that
individuals more than parties will decide
the fate of candidates who seek the fayors
of the voters of Oakland and Alameda
County. Political warfare has been car
ried on so openly and the hands of oppo-
nents have been so ruthlessly exposed
during the past five years that the intelli-
gent voter no longer bases his decision on
the matter at issue, but judges it solely by
its advocates. And as with issues, so with
men. Let any of the element that has
been instrumental in corrupting past city
and county officials place its finger of ap-
proval OH any candidate and his fate is at
once sealed. So well accepted is this
theory that even when one candidate
about whom there is a reasonable doubt
attempts to be carried into office by
hypocritical affiliations with clean men
the keen scrutiny of the public at once
weeds out the chaff and the ballots show
how correctly the ruse was detected.
For this public insight into political
working the bosses have to thank them
selves. They have been hurting boomer
angs for years, and now they have recoiled
and lie at their feet. No one knows better
than the bosses how useless it would be to
huTi them again. But while fighting
there is hope, and as to give in would be
certain beggary the periodical shafts are
shot into the air and lost. Unlike the old
schemes, they find nothing to strike
against, because those they could kill have
learned to know their impotence
The election of w. A. Dow to the presi-
dency of the powerful Seventh Ward Re-
publican Club last Friday night is signiti-
cant. Mr.. Dow is loudly non-partisan,
though a Republican where National prin-
ciples are concerned. He succeeds Oak
lands warlike reformer, ex-Mayor George
c. Pardee. What is as significant as the
personality of the new president is the
large membership and great interest
shown in the club. The Seventh ward has
ever been the enemy of the old ring, and it
is now apparent that it means to be more
belligerent than ever. Already an at
tempt has been made to create the impress
sion that there is likely to be split in the
SA0Os k4dt bACAO Will DC QlSSeU-
si3n later on, but of course every body
knows the motive of such attacks The
u penth ward has been the cradle of what
ever purity has been born into Oakland
politics since the downfall of the notorious
''poolroom council" and nothing has
transplred to indicate that its nature has
changed.
DR.. @. 0. Brown is not alone in the role
of victim of anonymous letter writer's.
There is a preacher in Oakland who re-
ceives an anonymous letter about once a
month. 1t is Rev Cader Edwards Davis of
the Christian Church. Mr.. Davis is a
young man of strong personality. He
breaches and he lectures. In either role
he meets with some success. He has ap-
peareG before the public as "the versatile
preacher" and indeed he has earned the
distinction. For some time be posed as
1.-THE American Oscar Wilde" but recent
history has caused Mr.. Davis to blot out
that title from his placards. About year
ago he rendered very creditably some
scenes from "Richard III" in his pulpit
and for month he became 1.-The actor
preacher"
About month ago some of his enemies
SdlQ tLd ne Was RtNCll W LIS
study window. Mr.. Davis denied that to
reporters and friends, but he could not
find legitimate excuse for expressing his
views in public. The anonymous letter
writer came to his aid. The pastor re-
ceiyed communication commencing him
for his pulpit excoriation OF Rev. Marshal
Law for giving notice that he would not
receive ladies at the study of his church.
Mr.. Davis made all possible use of the let
ter and denied in toto that he had ever
been guilty OF flirting. A little later MIR.
Davis was accused of plagiarism. This
again was difficult rumor to attack with
out some suitable proof that it existed.
Again the anonymous writer came to his
assistance and yesterday the pastor said
he had received an unsigned letter on the
subject and that he intended to make it
the subject of discourse.
There is one more phase of Mr.. Davis
career up to date, and it helps somewhat
to illustrate the others. About two months
ago an announcement appeared that the
pastor had received a lucrative offer
from a northern church, and also that he
was engaged to be married to charming
and wealthy belle of Oregon. AS soon as
the news reached the north the young
lady promptly contradicted the statement,
and, of course. gallantry forbade the min
lister saying any more than that it was a
secret affair. When the story was pub
Hshed Mr.. Davis said it was unauthorized,
and, to use his exact language, said it was
the work of his wicked brother. Gideon. !"
Gideon is newspaper man, and tits openly
stated that the PASTORS anonymous CORE
spondent is not stranger to his wicked
BROTHER
Had the youthful safecrackers not been
arrested till few days later 1T is very
probable that one or two foolish citi-
zens might have lost their lives IN
manner that would not have been in any
way the fault OF the slayers. The order
was given that everybody seen on the
streets after midnight, unless known, was
TO be questioned. This was considered
absolutely necessary by the reign
of terror that had been inaugurated
by the burglars. The newspapers
and the politicians had censured
the Police Department, officers were
ArfY don Ia At,t- a-I dot finng were