The herald., 1898-09-21
"LooK ON THIS PICTURE-AND
ON THIS"

In his home coming speech at Hazard s
pavilion, and in his more recent ad-
dress before the nominating county con-
vention of his party, Mr.. Gage. as a
candidate, was in very unhappy con-
trast with his opponent, Judge Mcguire.
Many of Mr.. Cages personal and party
| friends, directly or tacitly, admit the
truth of this assertion. The office OF
governor of a great state Is one to which
an aspirant should bring knowledge Of
public affairs Of the state, ability to sue
cessfully grapple with all questions ap-
pertaining to the welfare of the state.
and political as we'll as personal integ-
rjty as a guarantee that, If elected, he
will render wise, just and bipartisan
administration of the office. Under our
political system and usual party pro-
ceedure 1t goes without saying that the
main object in requiring candidates to go
before the public, or "to take the stump,
is TO advise the voters touching the Mt
ness of the candidates for the places
sought. The higher the position as
pired to the more imperative is 1t that
this reasonable service" due the people
should be paid them.
Now the Republican candidate for
governor Of California failed. in both his
said speeches, to live up to this popular
requirement. We submit 1t to the con-
science of honest, un-office-seeking Re
publicans, who heard Mr.. Cages
speeches, or who read the published re-
ports of them, if it is not fair criticism
that the speeches referred to contained
more "verbage"-though not in NJ.
Cases sense of that term-than express
sions of facts, data or knowledge OF al
fairs appertaining to the office of gov
ernor of the state of California, by which
the public might judge of his fitness TO
be elected as chief executive of the
state?
The home coming speech was an ad-
m,tted flasco. 1t excited amazement. de-
veloping occasionally into boisterous
mirth.
But the people Of California are pro-
verbally good natured. Perhaps in
his next speech he will redeem himself y
said even Mr.. Cages political opponents.
But his second effort was only a tr'fle
less crude, and in nothing less want
ing In essential and appropriate, not TO
say grammatical expression of facts
touching public questions of the deepest
interest to the people of California.
We desire to be in no sense uncharit-
able or unjustly to criticise the Repub-
lican candidate. On the contrary, we
entertain, personally, the kindest feel
ings for Mr.. Gage, but the conclusion Is
irr. sistible that if he people are to judge
him. as a candidate, by his own language
and "out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh"-he has thus far
ron-suited his case ard put himself out
Of court. Either this or he Is merely a
perfunctory candidate, a mere man Of
straw, set up by others to accomplish
an ulterior purpose, and as those
"others" believe themselves strong
enough. and rich enough, to get control
of the state anyhow, their nominee for
governor need not give himself any
special trouble in the premises.
On the other hand, we ask respectable,
thoughtful Republicans to judge Mr..
Mcguire by the same standard-the
standard of his public speeches. Unlike
Mr.. Gage-who, to his poverty of ideas
and expression. adds inexperience in
public affairs. and hence, however hon
orable himself. liable to be led away by
crafty and experienced political knaves
Unlike Mr. Gage, Judge Mcguire has
back of him long years of active public
.ife, knowledge Of men and that political
wisdom, temperate Judgment, together
with familiarity with public questions
which can only be acquired in the school
Of experience.
All the people of California are equally
interested in elevating to the chief mag
istracy Of the state man equipped in
telectually and otherwise to guard well
the public safety and welfare. The next
four years will see a development of the
material interests OF CalltOrnla on
scale more magnificent than any yet
known in her history. Let us have a man
at the head of the commonwea alth who
can neither be seduced by money or in
tmdated by threats, personal or cor
porate. to betray the high trust confided
to him. We sincerely believe such a man
will be found In James G. Maguire.
DIED DNEITAGE nE HITS