The San Francisco call., 1897-12-13
A CALIFORNIAN'S PROTEST.

To the Editor Of the Call: Permit me as
hatlVe OF California to enter a most solemn
protest against the sentiment which gives rise
10 such incidents the protests against the
/ elevation OF the Hon. Joseph McKenna to the
I supreme Bench. The busy men of our land
may not realize the prevaIenc ce of the spirit OF
jealousy and selfshness which inspires such
unseemly conduct. These characteristics are
largely local. California is conspicuous for
want OF State pride, appreciation OF the true
worth OF her sons and fdelity to those who
serve her faithfully.
Other States have their favorite sons, their
citizens unite on great pubic questions and
they work together for common good
IN California we can have no faYorite son,
no matter how general good may be at stake
Our people divide instead of uniting 10 pro-
mote common good. A large minority can
always be relied upon to try to defeat the will
OF the ajority.
In older Eastern States, Senators, Congress
men, Judges, are reelected term after term,
until they command enormous influence for
good In Que term the most able man cannot
secure a standing such as enables him to ac-
complish anything for his section; he cannot
even equip himself to be useful to his coun-
Try. California has hardly ever returned a
Senator, seldom member of Congress.
Our State to-day is q quarter of century re-
tarded In development, the great Northwest
which should have been built up only as the
result OF a legitimate overflow from Caltfor-
nia, has become iormida BILE rival,
1t is the apathy, Indifference. jealousy and
selfshness OF our people which have caused
this.
No public man CT merit can be advanced
no public measure promoted, but vicious, un-
reasonable opposition destroys both.
once the writer asked Mr. Huntington if he
did not believe more generous policy to-
ward California shippers would eventuate in
n he
Mr.. Huntington said:
NO; you do not know your people as I do
Their prevailing characteristic is to crv whip
erous treatment"
The writer was candidate for appointment
as Commissioner OF the General Land Otiice N
1854. Whatever may be said TO the contrary
he had been selected for that office
The stockton and anti-Stockton convention
tribes were in Washington, each with a blue
book with all the Off ceS spportioned. They
Hlled the lobbies with their complimentary
SInsions eaeh TO the o'hs9 Each asked the
Join either. Both cliques then united 10 en-
compass his deieat-aEd succeeded
California could have had honor and glory
galore had it not been for the unfortunate
failtngs which inspire This letter.
Jus uces OF the supreme Court, Cabinet Off
GERS, Ministers 10 foreign countries, potent
Senators and members of Congress we cou d
have had were our people only as patriotic,
| wise, generous aud unseIfsh are those of
the older States.
| The same characteristics which keep down
our public men serve 70 retard all develop
ment.
! Had san Francisco merchants and Others
| had half as much enterprise and energy as
/ have the newcomers in Southern California,
| Portland, Seattle and Tacoma would now be
/ in embryo and all of the trade of the Pacific
Coast would gravitate 10 and radiate from San
! Francisco.
Irving NJ. Scott struck the keynote which
sends the truth resounding Throughout the
! land when he said: "The basis for nearly all
| of our trouble lies in the lamentably low BIB
| OF personal integrity. Lower and lower has
! this become, until no man who has any Sc f.
respect dare seek political pre- erment, how
ever pure and good he may have been"
! We should be proud OF Judge McKenna. He
| is credit to US. Not one true word has been
I spoken 10 his diScredit. He is only mot apIe''
mot distinguished" enough. How many of
| the Justices OF the Supreme Court were known
! TO possess greater ability and distinction than
/ he when they Were appointed? How do we
know that Judge McKeni may not become
| another Taney, Marshall or Field? How do we
| know that cir ums stances may not arise when
| will enable us to enroll his name among those
| OF our greatest men?
Grant was not great man in our opinion
! during the days when he was one OF us
| No man can become greater than his anvil
| ronments will permit Of
With sucE surroundings as one has here in
| California, greatness and distinction arc
| almos unaLtainable; put when men Of sncb
| sterling character, naive ability and grand
ambition as Judge Mckenna reach position
OF IIml less scope, what may we not @ xpect OF
| them? AS unit all OF the people OF this State
| should unite in helpiug every honest nnro
true man TO attain eminenee either at home
] or abroad.
| Do not by your acts educate vour SONS 70
oeiieVe II respectable to keep crylng '.whiD
behind honorable, to try TO tear down: lust
10 seek always for the weakest SPOT in n lei 1ou,
man; then expose it. Teach The bovs thst
ABILITY, integrity ana energy are surc nassoorIs
to pubic favor, and insure them the opport,1s
my 10 oecoh-e etea1, IL they have it in them
San Francisco, December 10. 1897 /