The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-17
THE DEADLOCK AGAIN.

II there Is any virtue, TedSOL Of pui :
pose in party organization whatever,
the residence is found in the power of
the majority Without that the party
is a mere loose bundle of twigs, with
out conference, adhesive power, execu-
tive yigor or organized capacity. In
short, it becomes a mere contention
corral in which factions may fight it
out ais terriers do in the dog pit. with
out regard to the principles Of the
party, but according to the skill of the
handlers of the animals.
That there may be executive power,
that there shall be regard for the dem
ocratic or majority principle OF
free government, the party coun-
Gil or caucus was established
In one form it is a primary,
in another it is a convention, in still
another it Is the caucus. Human ex-
perienee. ever since party has existed
has justified this machinery; in fact,
every man with political wisdom
enough In his skull box to pilot him
across an alley knows that without
party consultation and party rule by
majority there can be no effectiveness
IN party organization.
The demand of the people in the Re-
publican party, therefore, voiced
through a free press and emphasized by
the open expressions of leading party
men that this discreditable deadlock
shall be broken by the call of the party
men into open caucus, there to ascer-
tain the viii of the majority, is one
that must be needed.
To fail to dc SO means disruption of
the party. If it is by action here and
now established that factions within the
party may defy the party laws, then.
of course, party organization becomes
ineffective and the whole structure will
fall to pieces. 1t is, therefore, now the
simple question whether the Republic
can party by the proxy of its repre-
sentatives in the Legislature Is going
to commit suicide.
But, say the opponents to caucus
council and an open vote. IF We go
into the council. such an one, or such
another one, may be chosen and our
pet candidate may be defeated" In
all honesty, gentlemen, that is the meat
of the question. Assuredly the major
ity will and should name the party can
didate. And just as surely some one
will be selected and some others de-
feated, and these may or may not be
Your special choice.
Any other view of the question is i'm
possible, except from the factional
standpoint. If the party men are to
form in knots and there remain, there
will be no Senator chosen, and we re-
peat IL that is the outcome, if California
is deprived of her lawful right by such
procedure, some one will be called to
account, and punishment VIII as surely
follow the violation of the party law
as penalties flow from infraction of
natural laws.
It will not be delivered by the hands
of personal influences, by associated in
terests or corporate strength. 1t will
come from the mass of the men of the
Republican party who in their indigna-
tion will spare not, nor should they. 1t
Will come likewise from the body of the
outraged voters Of the State, irrespec-
Tive OF party, who have a right to be
represented by a full delegation in the
United States Senate, and who will re-
sent any scheme and refuse to listen to
any excuses for depriving the State of
its just power in the chief legislative
body of the nation.