The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-12
LESSONS FROM THE CAMPAIGN.

THILE the dominant moral of the recent cleo
\N| ton is clearly perceived by the people and 1t
is now well understood that the conservative
sentiment OF California will not sanction anything in
politics that sayors OF revolutionary radlcas, there
are certain minor lessons taught by the result to
which 1t will be we'll to give attention before the sub
ect is dismissed and the thoughts OF all are turned
&c business and preparations for Thanksgiving
One OF the most interesting OF these lessons IS the
demonstration that last the railroad issue out OF
California politics. This does that railway
officials may not in future take an active part in po
tical contests and support their avorites by every
means in their power, but it that the railroad
as a corporation is no longer regarded in the popu-
lar mind a dominating force in the commonwealth
"a monopoly so dread and dangerous to public
welfare that politics all other issues must be sub
ordinated to the struggle against it.
In the recent campaign every effort was made by
Mcguire and his party awaken the old fears OF the
people and the old animosy against the railroad but
all in vain. The people laughed, The Southern Pa
chc was no longer bugaboo Cartoons of Hunting
ton posed as political boss, bandit,
Il pus. as an omnivorous devourer OF men and women
and things generally, failed to futter the voters. It
is doubtful if as many as a hundred votes in the State
gained for Mcguire by all that said, printed
or pictured OF the oId-time monopoly.
In this sense, then the railroad is out OF politics
1t no longer frightens the people 1t is longer
available resource for demagogues. The construction
OF the San Joaquin road and the coming connection
OF that line with the Santa Fe system assure
peting road which puts an end to the monopoly. The
intelligence OF the perceives that the situation
has changed and a consequence they not to be
Influenced any in political contests by either
a fear or the favor OF the Southern Pacific.
Another lesson to be learned from the contest is
the Jolly of attempting to dodge issue which IS
understood by the people. 1t was known throughout
the nation that the main point to be determined by
the contest whether the people would sustain the
administration II the Democrats had met that issue
fairly-f they had stood by their platform of free
trade and free silver-they least would have held
their party together AS it was they met the fate
that befas every force which attempts to retreat from
the field after the battle has been joined The
weakened the ardor OF the rank and file, led to de-
moralization and resulted in a rout
The emphatic teaching of each of these lessons is
matter of qualification all who appreciate honesty
in politics The elimination OF the railroad bugaboo
from politics is really blessing to the State Here
after it will be easy for demagogues attain
eminence among us. better class of Democrats
and Populists will now come to the 'front.' for the
opposition will need on the stump orators who can
but empty mouthers about monopoly will have to
give way Hardly less valuable is the demonstration
CT the futily Of lodging Altogether Caliicrna will
be found to have benefited morally as well as ma
teriay by the results of the voting Tuesday, for
the lessons are too clear be either overlooked at
present or forgotten in the future.