The San Francisco call., 1898-05-30
POLITICS AND
 PATRIOTISM Candidates Must Face a Trying Ordeal. GENTLEMEN AS PIRATES. PRACTICE THE ART OF STEAL ING WARD CLUBS. Not Likely That Fabiola Will Ever Again Receive Benefit Day
 at the Race
 Track.
GENTLEMEN AS PIRATES.
PRACTICE THE ART OF STEAL.
 ING WARD CLUES.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,


 This is a time for heroes, not politicians. During the past week nearly the whole of Oakland has seen thousands of soldiers march through the streets of San Fran cisco, actuated by no other motive than that of serving their country. In view of these stirring developments the poliu- cal turmoil in this county is regarded by comparison as a very picayunish affair. Politicians have almost to apologize for not being soldiers, and the boys in blue can have anything they want.
 It has been amusing to see the vast i'm portance attached by a few interested in dividuals to some of the political fandan- goes of the week. They have aroused no excitement and less general interest, and, in fact, so nauseating has the prevalence Of personal politics become that there would be day of thanksgiving and re- golclng II Aameda's politicians were 10 organize a volunteer company and offer themselves for service in Manila or any place that would keep them away until after next November.
 It is rather a hard matter just now for an oIhce-seeker to preach patriotism, and ward nothing else A candidate talking patriotism to an audience stands in great danger of being asked why he does not wear blue coat himself The public just now is very discerning, and platform ora tors who will attempt to pave their way into office with stars and stripes and talk of banners subject themselves to all kinds Of lnQuiSitlVe remarks.
 A volunteer company composed of men who nightly appear on political parade would at once excite the admiration of the whole county and would strike such terror into. the hearts of the SpaniardS that the war would end instanter.
 A new art is being rapidly developed in this county. It is the art of capturing a political meeting called by one faction by an overwhelming force from another faction. Such actions are not at all new, but they have hitherto been known as political jobs. or name not at all GU. phOniOus. Such jobs implied the use of force, vulgar language and a general rough time, resulting in score of arrests for battery and simi- is changed. and there is In this city well organized band of young Re publicans who are forever working to turn everything their own way. They do not follow any precedent. but simply enter the hall in such numbers that they can who called the meeting realize the situa- ton they declare an adjournment, the visitors oppose it, the promoters Of the gathering leave, and the invaders proceed to elect a new set of officers and transact business to suit themselves. Precedents are set at naught, enthusiasm is aroused and the boys retire to plan to capture the next meeting.
 This system of stealing each others thunder may not add to the dignity of the party, but there is in it one good element It arouSeS opposition, antagonism com petition and perhaps little personal feel ing, but 1t brings out the party men, eS- peCially the young men of the party. It promotes party warfare, and hundreds of those who have been deluded In the past are now entering the Republican ranks for the life there is in 1t. After a little while they will accept Republican prin- ciples from conviction, and the good work is complete.
 No one is going to win anything in poli- tics in Alameda County without fight. There are too many model candidates for office and too few offices to permit of TaIk-overs There must be contests and partisanship until the constitution is over turned, and all must admit that it arouses new and prolonged interest in the party As a matter of fact these preliminary sl<iTuiSheS are being taken altogether too seriously. They are arousing both sides to action, and are but the smoke indica- tive of the fire. the flames as yet not hay ing burst forth. At present all the poii- tics is being inspired by those who have personal interests at stake. When the time for the primaries is announced there will be more Republicans in Alameda County than ever before, and after the primaries all is guesswork. Alameda County is rarely deceived by the veneer of politics and politicians.
 Fabiola day is past and its receipts from the racetrack are now in the treas ury of that great institution Tunnel day is now history, and it's receipts will soon be paying many laborers for their toll, and the racing season Is now closed for six months Everybody can therefore take a breathing spell and think a little about horse<racing and its use to the public welfare in general and to Dr. Dnle's remarks in particular. This is a good time to ask Oakland just where she | Is on the subject of the racetrack and it's influences. To outsiders 1t must look as though this city were carrying water on both shoulders. Many merchants can be found who declare that when November | l arrives business decreases, as all the