New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-21
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
STATE POLITICS-LAWLEsS SOLDIERS
REMARKABLE URGERY-PERSONAL.

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEI
San Francisco. Aug. 2O.-The state pohucai
campaign which is now on gives promise OF oe-
ing most vigorous. and there are indications
that IL will be a contest Of individuals rather
than Of principles. The alignment OF FORCES VIII
be the same as two years ago. Democrats ana
ponulists combined against Republicans. with
the chances somewhat in favor of the latter
The Democrats who have been In session since
Tuesday at Sacramento. adjourned on Thursday
night after carrying out completely fusion
plan adopted by the Democratic and Populist
State Central committees some time ago. Con-
gresham James G. Mcguire was Endorsed for
Governor and the remainder OF the ticket "as
divided between the parties to the fusion com
pact The leading feature OF the Convention
was q sensational conflict for control Of Demo
cratic politics in san Francisco. Sam" Rainey.
an old-time Democratic boss. and his army Of
heelers met defeat at the hands OF the so-caled
reform element. in which Mayor James d. Phe-
Ian is leader.
The Republican Convention meets also at sac
ramento new week Two of the leading candi-
dates for the nomination for Governor are Henry
T. Gage. OF Los Angeles. and George c. Pardee,
Of Oakland with l.. II. Brown a dangerous
third From present indications Gage seems 10
have the best of the ante-Convention fight, but
It remains to be seen what the others have up
their sleeves If the Republicans nominate men
Of any size they should sweep the State easily.
as the Democratic ticket. with the exception or
Mcguire. is wofully weak Many OF the men
are unknown. The fusion candidate for Con-
gress in the Ist District is the young editor Of
country paper who cannot write decent English.
One OF the surprises of the political situation
was the overwhelming defeat of Congressman
Hilborn for denomination after six years of SER
vice at the National capital The Congress
mans friends assert that his defeat was due to
thorough organization on the part Of the sup
porters of Victor H. Metcalfe. the successful
contestant, and 10 the use of illegtimate meth
DDS in balloting. Mctcalfe's frneds say now
ever that Hilborn's defeat is due to the fact
that the Congressman has proved himself lack
ing in force as he has failed to secure Govern
ment good things for the cities In his district.
One of the most sensational incidents in the
recent history of this city was the attempted
lynching of a negro, Dan" Thomas by Tennes-
see troops. near the Preside. last Monday From
the best evidence obtainabe. il appears that the
troops were aggressors from the start. Two OF
them provoked a quarrel with Thomas. and in
the fight which resulted the negro VINO is niue
more than boy, struck one OF the SCORERS os1I
the eve cutting deep cash. Thomas fed 10 his
humble home near the reservation. followed by
a bowling mob Of over thousand soldiers
mainly from Tennessee and Kansas regiments.
The scenes which followed were most disgrace
full In the attack on the little cottage. the SOL
ders forgot they were men, and dlsgraced the
uniform they wore The aged mother OF Ihoinds
was kicked and bruised and his younger brothers
were also abused The windows of the house
were broken, the fence was demolished. ana doors
were smashed. In fact. the place was literally
wrecked. And when at last Thomas was IN
duced to come out. officers with drawn pistols
prevented the mob from killing him. After it
all over and the official inquiry was begun
the Tennesseeans began to see they had made
q serious blunder. They were deprived OF many
liberties and double guard was mounted about
the camp. The Afro American League has taken
I'D the matter, and in all probability the Tennes-
see regiments pay will be held back TO make
good the loss sustained by Thomas during the
attack his home. Some Of the soldiers. II Is
expected. will be dishonoraby discharged from
the Army. The parents Of Thomas have filed
claim for $4,000 damages against the Tennessee
troops
A remarkable surgical operation was per
formed at the French Hospital this week on
Private Leroy Borland Of the 23d United States
Infantry. Borand was stricken with meningitis
and had fair chance for recovery. when paraly-
sis of the pharynx brought him face TO face with
starvation. Seeing this. Dr. De Marvile de-
cided to make opening in his stomach and
feed him through tube. This operation was
successfully performed on Tuesday, and the
poor sufferer is reviving beyond the most san
gune expectation. He has already lost his
emaciated look. his voice has grown stronger
and he may recover entirely.
Market-st. paving is making rapid progress,
and within q few weeks the basalt block pave
1nent which has marred this beautiful thorough
fare will be replaced by smooth surface as
phat. Even the unsightly turntables OF the
cable-car companies are to be removed and ree-
gated to side streets. away from the citys main
avenue Of trade. This is result OF years OF
agitation, and is in a large measure due 10 the
organized effort OF bicycle clubs.
The friends Of Dr. Hans Herman Behr. Of this
city last night celebrated the eightieth ami
versary Of the birthday Of this famous physi-
clan, scientist and entomologist The celebra
ton had been quietly planned for some time
and Frederick William University Of Berlin
from which Dr. Behr graduated. was apprised Of
the approaching function. As a result. the Uni
versity bestowed upon him the honorary degree
of doctor. diploma. "hOnOris causa. being
sent by the Dean to the German Consul General
in this city. This is a distinction never before
conferred upon any German-American. DR.
Behr entomolOgist mas acquired a world
wide reputation. and has made discoveries OF
troyo tan 10