The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-10-25
sHANAHAN FOR GAGE.
SAYS THE PEOPLES PARTY
HAS BEEN BETRAYED.
He Urges All Populists to Vote
Against Mcguire and His
Single Tax Theory.

II w. FL. Shanahan, who was nom
mated for Governor by the straight
Peoples Party at Sacramento, has de-
clared himself for Gage and called upon
all true Populists to cast their votes
for the Republican candidate at the
coming election. Mr.. Shanahan has
stated the reasons on which he bases
his action in a public letter In fusion
he sees only the betrayal of the Peo-
pies Party for the selfish purposes Of
q handful of ambitious politicians. But
to him, the single tax theories of Ma
guire, which are Endorsed by the Demo-
cratic platform, are even more offensive
than the dickering and trading of offices
by the self-choSen leaders Of three mi
nority parties with the hope Of gather
ing the spoils. Mr.. Shanahan believes
that the single tax idea is one OF the
most dangerous features of the present
campaign, and he warns his fellow par
tisans to take this opportunity to re-
move 1t once for all from the considera-
ton of the people of California by lend
ing their SURFACES and influence to the
defeat Of Mcguire.
Mr. Shanahan's address is as follows
In reply to many inquiries from
throughout the State as, to what acIlon
pies party at the coming election am
constrained to offer the following:
Except as matter OF l ma zen nres enf
wiped out of existence; first, by the acuon
of the Fusionists of the late Peoples Par
ty Convention at Sacramento, a1ded, en-
couraged and brought about by the at
tendance and participation therein by the
then Chairman of the Democbratic state
said committee and a body OF persons
styling themselves Silver Republicans;
second, by the decision of the supreme
Court in favor of the fusionists
The most influential person in the be-
trayal Of the Peoples party In the con-
vention was E. NJ Wardall, Chairman OF
the Peoples Party State Central Com
mittee, who holds the position OF Secre-
tary to Congressman Barlow at salary
wished to perpetuate himself in that to
him, very. important place by bringing
a aeel ioTi@ Of Nm aa Barlow john s Dore
a former leader Of the party and a then
fusion nominee for Supervisor in Fresno
County took a prominent part in that Pc,
half. In fact, the fusionists from the
country districts in the convention were
nearly all interested in bringing a Iooa5
or other offices for themselves or friends.
Twenty-six delegates from San Francisco
voted for fusion despite their instructions
to the contrary, and since the convention
the two leaders of the number (Ktnne ana
Gillespie) have been actively engaged in
bringing about Endorsements or Doth
Democrats and Republicans in the city
and county campaign 10 San Francisco,
conditioned. of course, on the payment
committee. It goes without saying that
neither Democrats nor Republicans have
Endorsed or nominated any member OF the
Peoples party in San Francisco. AS
State question the Peoples party has
been traded out of existence for a few
nominations that carry nothing with
them, even in case of success at the polls;
other than the few dollars that would
reach the pockets of the incumbents, if
all There : nothing office
of Lieutenant Governor, Controller or
Superintendent of Public Instruction (the
fusionists) Of an executive administrative
or other character that could possibly i'm
press the people of the State with any
idea of the reform measures contemplate
ed by the Peoples party. The bargain
made by Afford ct al. to allow Wardall
ct al. one member Of the State Board of
Equalization was promptly rescinded by
Dryden for Railroad Commissioner was
Railroad Commissioners has been so tied
by decisions of the courts as tc make It's
rnent eighteen years ago. the commission
has cost the State for salaries, rents and
incidental expenses over $500, 900, not TAX
to special counsel employed by the board.
AS a result Of this enormous expenditure
of money nothing has, nor ever will :, be
Commissioner in the equalization or re-
duction. Of freights and fares: 1t is true
untary reductions, but never by reason Of
the power exercised by the commission.
This brings to mind that the only solu-
ton of the transportation question is
governmental ownership and operation Of
railroads.
The whole legislative ticket Of the
State, with one or two exceptions, has
been turned over to the Democrats.
With neither legislative, executive nor
judicial nominations given the Peoples
party by the fusion bargain, how can
that party maintain the semblance of ex-
istence to say nothing Of It's identity,
under the arrangement made? The So
called Silver Republican party, consisting
largely OF Nathan Cole Jr., H A. McCra-
ney Walter Van Dyke and ]. Noonan
Phillips. has Jared better in the fusion
deal In case Of success Mr.. Van Dyke
twelve years. Mr.. McCraney Clerk of
that body. J. Noonan Phillips State Sem
ator, while Mr.. Cole will occupy the
dual position Of a party boss and an ad-
niring party constituency. The election
OF Mr.. McCraney would mean as little as
that Of the Peoples party fusionist nom:-
nees but the election Of Phillips would
give him the oportunity 10 propose laws
In two sessions of the Legislature aud OF
Van Dyke to file opinions as Justice for
twelve years to come.
From the foregoing Ii will be seen that
the fusionists of the PEOPLES party were
willing to and did sacrifice every Off ce
that in its nature would give any oppor-
trnity to carry out or perpetuate any
principle Of the Peoples party. In otter
words, the fusionists have been careful