The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-05
HERE'S A HoW-DE DO
A Conspiracy" and Hoodoo in Re-
publican Politics

Conspiracy" and Hoodoo in Re-
publican Politics
(From the Evening Express, July 4th.)
II is time that the Republicans of South
ern California, and particularly OF this city,
she u,d come to realize the plan that the
machine is laying out through which it
hopes to secure the nomination of Henry
Gage for governor.
The Plot
Some OF the details are entertaining and
they will give an idea of the plot that lies
back of the whole undert aking--w in
If the party by mere handful of men who
in no sense represent the real thinking or
working element of the organization.
Two Leaders and Billy Dunn
The two leaders of The scheme are Dan
Burns on the north and Walter Francis
Iavier Parker in Los Angeles. One Will
lam, or BILLY" Dunn is also present in
Los Angeles.
Revolutionary and Imminent
Thd first step in the conspiracy has al
'eady been decided upon, and will be sprung
II the next mseting Of the executive com
nttee of the state central committee, which
will be held about the 10Th of this month. 1t
$ of most revolutionary character; but
lness opposition develops Il will carry.
Dangerous Power Given Voters
1t consists in elec;ing delegates to the
state convention by direct vote at the pri-
naries for the whole number in each as
emb,y district, instead Of through he usual
method by county conventions.
Two Glasses
The counties OF the state are to- be di-
'ided by the committee into two classes:
First, those having only one assembly dis
riot; second those having more than one
assembly, district.
Suspiciously Let Alone
The first class will be let alone and allowed
o selec. delegates by the old methods. That
so as to avoid rousing unnecessary oppo-
ition.
And Here's the Rub
The change will be made in counties Of the
Their class, of which Los Angeles, Alameda
nd Oakland are the chief.
A Case in Point
Let us take, for example, one assembly
istrict in Los Angeles and observe how
his new scheme, invented by Walter Fran
Is Xavier, etc., will work
The Seventy-fourth, for Example
The Seventy-fourth assembly district In
os Angeles county contains all of the
ourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh wards of
mis- city, except few outlying precincts. 1t
entitled to twenty delegates in the state
invention. Under the existing system
ach precinct would elect certain number
delegates to a general convention (for-
erly a county convention, but of recent
ears an assembly district convention) and
lat gathering will choose the twenty men 20
o TO the state convention.
All This Would Be Changed
Under the proposed change the local con-
ention Is abolished, as far as Its function OF
Getting delegates is concerned, and these
re chosen, the whole twenty Of them, by
irect vote in primaries all over the district.
The Machine in Control
OF course there are in each assembly dis
rict in the big cities certain precincts where
he machine is absolutely in control. 1t has
le officers who conduct the primaries, and
1e number of votes cast or counted will be
over ned only by the number that is needed
, offset the lowest vote in other parts OF the
istrict.
Talking Plain Talk
We may as we'll look the situation squarely
the face and talk plain talk.
Goderate Strength of an Estimable
Citizen
or the real Republicans of the Seventy
,urth district-which we have taken as an
Example as it is near home-of the Repub-
cans who vote the ticket at the polls, and
OF merely at the primaries, there is prob
bly, not five per cent that desire to see our
hances for the senatorship flung away in
RIDER to give complimentary vote TO Henry
age, estimable citizen though he may be.
The Machine Handicapped
II the vote were to be taken by the time
onored method that has obtained ever
nee there was Republican party in exist
nee hereabouts, the machine would doubt
rs carry one or two precincts, but In the
fort TO spread itself out over the entire dis
let 1t would be completely lost.
Founders! oh, Ho!
But under the new system invented by the
lphabetical Parker, what is to prevent the
oys who make business of politics from
fading up as many votes in those primaries
lat are under their entire control, as they
lay need to overcome the honest vote of
Their sections?
Endless Busloads
With endless busoads Of men Of all po-
teal beliefs and dsbeliefs, under orders
.om Democratic bosses, to be drawn upon
$ required, the game is an easy one.
The Villains Would Triumph
The twenty delegates of the Seventy
ourth instead of being honestly representa-
We OF the sentiment of the district will be
,erely the mouthpiece of the half dozen men
nat engineer the scheme.
Fraud in Bundles
In this way the vote Of San Francisco,
.os Angeles and Oakland is to be delivered
0 Burns in the state convention done up in
tile bundles, and all labeled for convenient
Sc.
=. An "Easy" Majority
The scheme has been outlined to various
MEMBERS OF the executive committee.
cunt has been made. and 1t is asserted by
he friends of the idea that an easy majority
las been secured for it.