The San Francisco call., 1897-10-18
Not Likely He Will Inter
fere in Pardee-DaVis
Struggle.
The County Already Portioned
Out on the FaMFy
Plan,
Taliesin Evans Only Needs One Point
in His Long Letter
Answered.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRAYCIsco CALL

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
90S Broadway, Oct. II.
There is probably one man, and one man
only who could turn the tide in Alameda
County in favor of either DR.. Pardee or
w. r. Davis. That man is Senator Per-
kins. 4 year ago, nen a. l.. Frick and
Mr.. lborn were warning just before the
primaries 1t was impossible for any one
tp predict the result. the chances of both
Tnen appeared to b. equal. On the eve of
election an interview with Senator Per-
kins was published, in which was clearly
indicated his preference for Hilborn. II
acted like charm. All the doubtful ele-
ments got into line behind Mr.. Hilborn
and when the vote was counted Mr.. Hill
born had won. 1t was not an enormous
majority out OF 1900 votes; only 600
needed to have changed their minds to
reverse the result but it was enough and
Hilborn secured the nomination. n the
Davis Pardee contest the line appears to
be parallel to that OF Frick and HIlborn
and lucky indeed will be the man that can
say he numbers Senator Perkins among
his supporters.
So far only one county official has come
out squarely in the great Pardee-Dav
contest. That solitary exception is County
Clerk Jordan, and before he announced
that he was solid for Pardee Jordan au-
thorized the statement that be would
make no effort to succeed himself This
is significant for if any chronic office
seeker felt sure which way the wind
would blow when the primary vote is
counted he would not be straining every
nerve to trim his sails accordingly. The
situation is very embarrassing to about
i've hundred who would ".lke to know"
They are to be pitied. Believing that
they were naturally created to be sus-
lained by the plunder of politics they see
their chance is about equal for banQueting
or starving. as last resort some OF them
have given way to desperation and are
convinced that there is more "in it" for
them by trying to make 1t impossible for
either man to be elected, so that an out
slider may WIN. OF course such conduct Is
rank treachery to the county, but old
hands have long since ceased 10 blush at
political treachery in Alameda County.
- AS an example of the feeling now preva-
lent, the following powerful editor iai
from an interior county paper can be
quoted. 1t says:
From Oakland comes the information that
the attempt to settle the Governor fight be-
tween Davis and Pardee has failed and that
the contest will be fought out at the pri-
maries.
This editor is anxious TO be a postmas-
ter, and this must come through Congress
man Hi born. Now, Mr.. HiIborn and Mr..
Davis are in the same camp, and if Pardee
should be victorious, where would that
pos tmastership go2
The same family arrangement" that
has distinguished Alameda County poll
tics is being already planned for next
year. By virtue of the right of succession
or some other undemocratic process all
manner OF claims are being made, and the
honest citizen who dares to voice a desire
to break into the hallowed precincts of the
elect is pounced upon with far more Sc
verify than If he were a mem Der of the
Fish gang. Much is being said about 1.-THE
debt" the county owes to certain indlvid-
uals, but if the county has not liquidated
all the debts she owes politicians the
names OF the unfortunates should be sub
mitted to lunacy mmission for exam
NATION, for if they have suffered in this
connection they are incom petent beyond
hope of recovery. The old idea that the
people shall select their officials has be-
come obsolete and forgotten; for several
years the voters, with rare exceptions,
have calmly recorded their votes for those
whose names were patronizingly placed
kbefore them.
The same regime has already been
planned for next fall. Unless some de-
cided opposition shall develop from an
unexpected quarter it would be com
parativeIy easy matter even now to name
the com piete ticket that will be subm tted
to the Republican voters. 1t is not I'M
pro ba BILE, however, that the opposition
may develop, for already there are more
than rumors of such a proba bil,tv. II
will not be fought odt, however, along re-
! ligious lines, for if ever there was time
when-AIameda County politicians were
anxious TO make it appear that there is an
impossible gulf between religion and
politics that time is now.
In such an event, and should it result
in com pletely overturnlng the old guard
at the county buildings, there need be no
heartburnings about unpaid debts that
the county owes; for Jim Stanley, the Mis-
sion San Jose b acksmith, enunciated a
principle that applies very accurately to
local office holders when he delivered his
great speech at the county convention
when he was first nominated for Public
Administrator Gentlemen OF the con-
vention." said Jim, 81 want this off ice be-
cause l believe it will be more profitable
than pounding iron" Jim was elected,
and at the next convention his speech was
equally true.
Gentlemen of the convention" he
said, II want this office because / have