The herald., 1897-05-25
1T INVOLVES THE NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN PARTY

The highly esteemed Times says the
harbor is not party question. We 10
not wonder that the Republican party
should be anxious to have this view Of
1t accepted. But it will not be so ac-
cepted. The harbor question is political
rest on the Republican administration
and must bring the administration and
party into contempt and distrust all
over the country. The only way to
ity is for it to disown the administration.
There is no room to deny that Secretary
Alger's report is as adverse to our inter-
ests as ingenuity, coupled with hostility,
can make 1t. AS citizens of Southern
California we all regret to be forced to
this conclusion, and those who are on
principle Republicans regret it on
broader grounds than the interests of
our section, great though they be. Mr.
Huntington is said to have stated tina:
1t is now personal matter between the
people of Southern California and Sen
ator Frye Of Maine. The railroad pres
ident thinks in this way he can elimin-
ate himself from the fight, and it may be
thought that this flimsy pretense can
also eliminate the administration. This
can not be done. The Southern Pacific
company has lost many thousands of
dollars worth Of business in this Sec
NJ 1o,
against US in this matter. The Repub-
1ican party is losing prestige here be-
cause Of the unfair way in which the
cabinet officer is treating US. This loss
of prestige is small up to the present
time. But it will grow and grow rapidly
If this unfairness is persisted in.
1t is not a personal matter with any
one or between any persons, singly or in
a mass 1t is question of the people
against great corporation whose greed
has earned 1T the hostility of many in
the past, and which seems to learn
nothing from it's past experience.
The burning question now is, on which
side does the government stand? Will
It be firm for right, for justice and for
the people. or will it be on the other side !?
This responsibility cannot be shifted
from the shoulders of the administra-
tion, nor from those of the party.
Even though the secretary of war had
the courage to offer himself as a scape
goat, he will not be allowed'to bear alone
this load of responsibility The people
will place it where it belongs. 1t will not
remain as little local fight between
Los Angeles and Gen. Alger. 1t is a
national issue in which the reputation of
the administration is involved. The Re
publican party is not in position to have
this question raised. 1t has of late SO
persistently taken the side of trusts and
monopolies against that Of the people
that the better element in it's own ranks
is heartily ashamed of the party and of
the administration.
The election last fall was won after
the most stubborn fight, wherein all the
reform elements of the country united
to overthrow this narrow Republican oil
Hanna. The fight was won by the most
lavish use of the sinews of war.
If positive and plain law Of congress
shall be set aside and the public interest
sold out in the interest of a monopoly,
no shifting or quibbling will avail to
blind the eyes of the people. 1t is not
San Pedro Harbor alone that is in dan-
ger, but the fundamental principles OF
our government are being undermined.
II Gen. Alger's treacherous act is sus-
tained by the administration, the admin
istration is not merely party thereto
but must be held as the principal. The
whole party will become particeps Grim
inis, ard each member must bear part
of the blame if he does not repudiate the
act and condemn those who so violate
their obligations and betray the cause