The herald., 1898-08-17
THE EXPECTED HAPPENS

As natural and inevitable conSe-
auence Of the exploitation of mistaken
policy by the county convention-the
policy OF giving representation on the
delegation to the state convention to
the push element out of all proportion
to its strength in that body-the ex-
pected has happened, and Los Angeles
county is deprived of the honors which
the entire state had cheerfully conceded
to 1t as right. In carefully consid-
cred article on this page published on
the eve Of the assembling of the con-
vention, The Herald pointed out the
perils Of such a course, and warned
the delegates Of what would happen
should it be pursued. We felt that If the
push-which had been routed at the pri
maries and left without leg to stand
upon In the convention-should be ac-
corded any representation whatever on
the state delegation it's harmony would
be destroyed, the force and prestige
which it could otherwise command would
be sacrificed, and it's influence dissipated
by division and dissension.
The Herald claims no superior discern
ment--what 1t foresaw could have been
foreseen by any one who might take the
trouble to analyze the situation. 1t was
obvious to the dullest intellect. The
members of the push have succeeded
in what they set out to accomplish. They
have defeated the will Of the Democrats.
hut oft ha cfok 20
that George S. Patton should be chosen
as the temporary chairman of the state
convention, and have destroyed the use
fitness and effectiveness of the delega-
ton as a strong and cohesive force in
that body Finding convenient material
in Dockweiler. they succeeded in STAN
peding from Patton's forces the weak
men who had accepted free transporta-
ton to Sacramento, and thus placed
themselves completely in their power,
and while unable to land their man,
because Of the refusal of other delega-
lions to participate in the plot, they
achieved their main object, the turn
ing down of the individual whom they
knew they could not use, and whose Sue
cess they had been well advised was
inimical to Southern Pacific interests
and designs. The railroad company fur
nished the wherewithal to reinforce
their strength, and they have used it
for the unworthy and un-Democratic
purpose Of defeating the clearly ex-
pressed will of the people, in the inter-
est of merciless corporation octopus.
What further mischief is compre-
hended In the program will be devel-
oped on the floor Of the convention to-
day. Nothing will surprise The Herald,
for 1t has been alert to the dangers that
have menaced from the inception Of the
campaign. and since the word was
passed along the line that Mcguire
must be defeated, IL strength enough
could be assembled to compass 1t
defeated In detail, In movements by
the right flank and the left flank, and
by assaults upon the center. 1t is the
old story, with very few variations-free
passes. special privileges, cash. taffy and
pledges of future patronage, with threats
Of dire consequences in the event of a
refusal-these are the tools that have
been employed to distract and divide,
and. If possible, to defeat. The people
recognize the methods and the men.
How long will they tolerate such per-
version Of the legitimate machinery OF
the Democratic party to uses so base?