The San Francisco call., 1899-11-15
NEXT YEARS ELECTION.

!
nate the election in this State next year unless
it is sooner settled by the party itself When
settled we mean adjusted in line with public opinion
and upright public sentiment
vacancy in the United States Senate to be filled
An effort to fill it prolonged through last win
ters session and failed 1t failed because the rank
and file OF the party determined that the vacancy
should be filled properly by man fit for the place
or.not at all 1t this determination, adhered to
nhexbly by the people, that made the session in that
respect fruitless of results
Unless the seat is filled by one fit before the next
campaign the Senatorial issue goes into next years
fight element OF Republican weakness that may
not be overcome
1t is in spirit OF personal rancOr or wish to in
crease friction, or cause anywhere feeling OF per
sonal humliaton but with the purpose only OF
ing the State and the party, that we say the party
cannot prevail next year either if Colonel Burns IS
appointed by the Governor, or is elected by extra
session, or is left the decision OF the voters
November. II appointed by the Governor and seated
by the Senate the issue becomes rank and unquench
able. The appointment will hold only until the meet
ing OF the Legislature in 1901 and the place must be
filled for the full by that body. Not the
strongest friend of Colonel Burns is bold enough to
say that, as an open candidate, Legislature be
elected that will choose him. Nor can any one say
that if he is elected for six years at special session
OF the present Legislature the party rally in
from the effect of so disappointing its rank
and file Considering the effect of leaving the place
open with neither appointment election, to be
filled by the next Legislature it will be impossible 10
eliminate Colonel Burns from the contest. He may
protest that he is not a candidate but the protest
will be in vain. The Democrats will make him the
Republican candidate The assault upon the Repub-
! he n
personality, and it will be possible for flesh and
blood resist the temptation to defend him that will
be upon his personal friends.
Let all Republicans study the situation and be
warned and be wise.
Since the election in this city the limitation local
affairs and the antiparsanship by which Mr.. Phean
secured the Republican votes which elected him have
evaporated. The country Democratic press, true to
the instincts OF sunhower partisan Journalism, has felt
in the heightened light and heat that a new sun has
risen and has almost without exception turned to
Phelan the pa-tys choice for Senator. II the seat
in the Senate be open next year he will be nominated
for in the Democratic convention He will go be
fore the people in the honeymoon OF his prestige,
panopled in the strength OF his three successes in this
city and who will stand against him? Ii Colonel
Burns be on the scene it will be in vain that Repub-
can candidates for the Legislature declare they are
not for him; the people will vote for Phelan, the
in sight Tor fear OF the man in ambush
In 1892 Stephen NJ White was an ayowed Demo
cratic candidate for the United States Senate 1t was
known that any State convention OF his party since
1896 would have chosen him had the issue been
pushed. True, the Examiner fought him and had
candidate against him, but its candidate had not
vote in the Legislature that would stick White was
the only open, avowed, frank candidate The Repub-
lcans had no candidate in sight but their campaign
was adumbrated by the suspected ambition OF Mr.
NJ H. de Young, The Democrats made him the Re-
publican candidate. Republican nominees for the
Legislature frantcay disowned him, but not one
OF them able tell the people whom he proposed
to support for the Senate, From the moment that
situation developed the end was in sight White
won and carried the electoral ticket under the wire
with him.
II the Republicans permit like situation next year
with Phelan in Whites place. let them consider now
the result 1t is believed that the Governor appoint
Senator it will be Colonel Burns This is based on
sentiment of personal loyalty, we are told which
in some situations would not be open to criticism
But that sentiment is msused when its satisfaction in
wolves the overthrow of the Governors party and
the loss OF California to the Republican column next
year.
The Legislature is not dominated by any such SEN
timent. 1t is in touch with the masses of the party
If it listen to the voice of reason and bow to the
promptings Of party loyalty and look forward to the
battles yet to be lost it has it in its power to
flank the Democratic situation completely and take
from that party the only issue upon which it can hope
! to carry the State next year