The San Francisco call., 1898-12-24
POLITICS AND
 THE APPROACH
 OF CHRISTMAS Country Legislators Going Home.
COLD DAY FOR PURCHASERS
GOVERNOR CAGES ARRIVAL
 CREATES A STIR.
Headquarters at the Palace Deserted by All Save the Army of Moth-Eaten Place
 Hunters.

The near approach of the Christmas holidays has had a very depressing effect on the aspect of things around political headquarters at the Palace Hotel. Legis- lators and their friends from the interior who have been in the city during the past few weeks for the purpose of get ting next to themselves, as they eX- pressed 1t, have returned to their homes to spend Christmas with their families or friends, leaving the Palace court and the rooms of the Republican State Central Committee in the undisturbed possession of local job-chasers and the political touts who are numbered among the camp-fol- lowers and personal advisors of Colonel Burns.
 The job-chasers, of which there are not a few, were visibly stirred yesterday when 1t was announced that Governor-elect Gage would arrive in the city by the even ing train from Sacramento In order to be present at the reception rendered Lieu tenant Hobson last night To-day will see a full attendance of the needy gentle men who are willing to serve the State in any capacity where there Is good pay and no work. It stands them in hand to be in evidence around the Palace court so as to be in a p sition at any time of the night or day to bow to the Governor elect should he happen to pass. Another and very important consideration Is the cheerful grate fire in the general office of the committee rooms upstairs. There is a decided chill in the atmosphere at this time of the year, and the chronic place-hunter is not always provided with an overcoat, a condition that may be at tributable to the fact that this is the close of a Democratic administration. Four years of enforced ldleness IS enough to strip the overcoat from the packs or all but those who make politics fad" an- not an occupation.
 To-day the job chasers will appear in the coilrtyard and in the committee rooms with the bottoms of their trousers legs neatly sheared, the cracks Tn tnelr footgear artistically linked, a pocketful or perity assumed in the fond hope that the Governor-elect may be led to belleye that they are guests at the hotel and that their sole object in wishing to to give n sup up ramento is a desire to serve him.
 Secretary of State-elect Charles k. Curry was one of the callers at headquar- ested in Colonel Burns Senatorial can on him to keep in ,f touch with with will not move his household to Sac ramento before the first of the year, as his presence is required in this. city to close up the affairs of the office of County Clerk and turn the office over to his sue cessor with the beginning of the new year. It is stated on reliable authority in the Secretary of States office to Lou Norton of Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Norton has held the office of Constable in Healdsburg for several years. and was delegate to the last Republican State convention. He was defeated for the nomination for Sheriff at his county con- vention.
 Jabez Swan has joined the ranks of those who are seeking political prefer nent. his claim for recognition being based to some extent on the fact of his reputed authorship of the life-size oil painting of Henry T. Gage that occupies the place of honor on the walls of the State Central Committees rooms. MT. Swan is said to be seeking the appoint ment of member of the State Board of Equalization, to fill the vacancy created by the death of the late J. G. Edwards member-elect. MT. Swan is not without experience. as he served one term as member of the Board of Equalization. and is said to have acquitted himself of the duties of the office with credit to him. self and profit to the State.