The San Francisco call., 1899-11-21
SENATORIAL CHANGES.


ward OF Nebraska, a Republican, makes it
tain that he will be unable to take his seat, and
he will probably not live until the meeting OF Con-
gress Ii he die Mr.. Poynter the Populis Governor,
will appoint opposition Senator, probably Mr..
Bryan The appointee will be seated under the Sena-
toria precedents, for the vacancy will have occurred
during the recess of the State Legislature.
As we have before said it stands the Republican
party in hand to keep eye its strength in the
Senate, for Senates outve executive administrations
by two years and House majorities by four years
The settlement in line with public sentiment OF the
Senatorial question in California is OF importance
looking to two-thrds majority in the Senate and
OF greater importance when regarded in the light of
the probable effect upon the vote OF this State next
year We have already given view OF the local
situation. An unpopular appointment made by the
Governor, whether the appointee is seated not,
an unpopular choice made by the Legislature in
extra session, the situation left open to be inn
pleaded among the issues OF next years campaign,
will have weakening effect upon the party in 1000
No one has controverted this position traversed
argument to prove it wrong We think it ex-
pressed the common judgment of the rank and file OF
the party and that receives the OF the rival
forces heretofore lined up in behalf OF candidates
whose appointment or election or continued candi-
The Republican party proved itself unable to carry
San Francisco and take to itself the credit which will
Immediately follow the organization OF the city gov
ernment under the new charter. We desire to warn
II that the forces which made its local victory inn
possible will be found still potent in the State,
II either OF the three things happen which have
pointed out as elements OF party weakness in the
Senatorial situation. If the party be forced into
affirmative position that question that is unpopular
and that projects the issue which the city lost
into State politics the State becomes very doubtful
II, the other hand, it present a covert and
sinister attitude, lacking in certainty and rankness
against a Democratic declaration in favor OF Mayor
Phelan, the same issue will be rampant all over the
State and will be harder to resist than in this
city.
We state the situation from perfect knowledge Of
it and OF desire that the Republican party shall
cast of every weakening influence and enter the fight
OF 1900 spotess and strong
This is a policy that should commend itself TO
every party interest from the President to the voters
in the ranks. The battle OF 1900 must be entered as
if it had to be against equal enemy or it may
be lost. In politics there is no other advantage for
any party than frank reliance upon the judgment OF
the people Great political victories are not won in
this country by indirection or artifice
The Eastern Republican papers frankly admit that
this years maorities for the party were merely
normal They represented no great accessons to the
party, but only its normal strength While that
strength grayingly great, issues may arise any
where that viii seriously sap it.
In this State only the Legislature can eliminate
every element OF weakness rooted in the Senatorial
situation, and the party has no other element OF
weakness in California The legislative leaders will
do well to remember this, and remember also that
their permanent allegiance is to the party and not to
any individual The issue is in their hands exclu-
svey. Whatever their wish IS can be promptly put
into action They in contact with the people and
they will be cautious not to take any snap judg-
ment misrepresentation OF the peoples will if they de-
sire future party success and further personal honors
which in its gift
The Republican press OF the State should not be
backward in presenting its views. What we may say
may be indorsed or it may be antagonized, but no
one antagonize the motive for it.
We declare plainly that next year there must be
neither an unpopular election or appointment nor I
Senatorial vacancy to be issue in the campaign
Let the party study the situation developed by the
San Francisco election and be wise