The record-union., 1897-01-05
A FAMILIAR PHASE OF THE SEN
ATORIAL CONTEST.

For the past thirty years candidates
have appeared as contestants for a
seat in the United States Senate with
the loud proclamation that they were
backed by somebody. 1t Is little re-
markable that in no instance has a
candidate appeared who claimed ITO be
backed by some large minded, public
spirited poor man. The backing boasted
Of is always that of some millionaire, or
some millionaire corporation
1t is no less remarkable that no man
has come forward to say that he was
backed by some element of commercial
or industrial activity in the State. It
is also to be wondered at that within
the past thirty years no man has arisen
to say that he desired a seat In the
United States Senate because of some
specific good he proposed to accom-
plish for the State of California.
Candidates have not been backed by
great ideas or great issues. The back
ing of which they boast is always a
financial backing, which presupposes
am appeal to the venal elements either
influencing the Legislature or within
the body itself.
It has been announced In public and
private that Mr.. s. M. Shortridge Is in
the Senatorial fight, and that he is
backed by some wealthy gentlemen by
the name of Spreckels who reside in San
Francisco. These gentlemen by the
name of Spreckels have the reputation
of being millionaires. just why they
should desire to own a United States
Senator is not declared, and Is there
fore left to surmise. But If Mr.. Short
ridge Is backed by Mr.. Claus Spreckels
of San Francisco, the question arises,
who will have the Senator-the people
of the State Of California or Claus
6prsckels? 1t Is useless to discuss the
memorable logic of a situation Of this
kind. When a millionaire undertakes
to give a poor lawyer seat in the
United States Senate, the candidate, II
successful, Is to serve the millionaire
he Is seriously a candidate. and Mr..
Spreckels, If he Is In fact a self-respect-
ing citizen, owe 1T to themselves ITO pro-
claim over their signatures that the
former Is not the candidate OF Claus
Spreckels, and that the latter is not
going to purchase a seat for him IN the
Senate of the United States This is
a perfectly fair proposition And If,
indeed, Claus Spreckels Is not pronot-
ing the candidacy Of Mr.. Shortridge,
both gentlemen still owe the public the
candor of disclaimer.
Mr.. Shortrtdge has had no legislative
experience. He Is crossing very wide
field when he springs from the ground
into a Senatorial position. He has ex-
hibited no distinguishing abilities upon
any field. He is reputed to possess re-
spectacle attachments as lawyer, and
enjoys the distinction Of being brother
to Charles NJ. Shortidge, the editor
and proprietor of the San FRANCISCO
"cau" While the family relation In
this instance may pc iSPHce"DASt - -
certainly not distinguishing. What
Mr.. shortridge proposes to do for the
state of California has not been an
no,,nced The extent to which the pup
liz have been taken into the confidence
of his candidacy is the open and Govern
announcement that he is backed by
f1~,,a -spreckelS
The people of California have no use
Tor q United States Senator backed py
millionaire or a millionaire corpora
zion. This goes without saying. "ha.-
eyer Mr.. shortridge's claim to the Seha-
+or,aI toga may be, it should have a pet
Ter recommendation than the backing
Of any millionaire or any corpoisAuoh
self-government is not JOKE anu :. :.
travestfed when men are gwen eAa1se0
LEGISLATIVE position solely Tor ths pu'
r,ass az serving en- individual ana l0'