The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07
Revenge Of Citizen Republicans on
a Stuffed Prophet.
Rebellion in the Camp Of Burns Provoked
by Sugared Promises Which We're
Never HOnOred.

~ OLIT1CAL clouds, black, threaten
ing and ominous, are gathering
about Dan Burns, and there is every
reason to believe that the political
stuffed prophet from Mexico will be
forced to confine his energies to his
stables. One by one the followers of the
Mexican are deserting him, and now he is
facing a disaffection that is perhaps more
serious and significant than all the rest.
His Citizens Republican Party is up in
arms against him. His commands have
been disobeyed and his counsel has been
ignored. He has been told that his
treachery and deceit are to be punished,
and that if he wishes political faVors he
viii have to seek in quarters other thah
those occupied by the Citizens Repuoh-
can party. This rebellion, coming so
quickly and Unexpectedly upon the heels
Of the Governors rebuke, makes the lot
Of the Mexican anything but pleasant
one.
The Citizens Republican party has right
~ been considered the personal private
property of Burns. He has subSidlzed us
ters for over TWO years and doomed
its frau existence. II was natural,
therefore that Burns ,,shood shou4o eApgCe zee
ton is not always realization. The Gu
gens" believe that the Mexican has trlhed
with their affections, and they are up in
arms to punish him if they can, and, fail
ing in that, to harass him.
The 'cIuzens. occupy peculnar posi-
tiOn in local politics. They have been rec
ognized by the National Republican party,
and they claim by right OF inheritance the
title of succession TO the municipal Re
publican organization. What they lack in
numbers and influence they make up in
assurance and they may reasonably be
given the dignity of a piece club. Un-
derstandlng this TACT, they nave assumed
asId I 'sD' 10 p'+'9 '''--''o" 80 '--' ''''''
Long before they decided to do this they
worked late and long in the service OF the
Mexican. in whose Senatorial fight they
lauOTed IS laCkeyS. Burns did with them
as he pleased. coating his bitter pill OF
service with the sugar Of promises. tie
s,nt them TO different parts OF the State
booming his candidacy and striving TO
bring recruits TO his standard. They
spent their money aEd sacrificed their
time. but the reward was 10 come in the
distribution Of the lOaVes and fishes. This
'eilZen' was t. hc given such and such
There was neither doubt nor bubble
about it, Every citizen was TO be pro-
Vided for after the Senatorial campaign
VuS over.
The man from Mexico was profuse in
promise but lamentaby weak In perform
auCe. After the Senatorial fight was over
the worthy members OF the "CitiZenS Re
publican party struck trial balance on
the profit and loss account. There were
long faces and lOUd impreCauOns. The
Mexican had failed 10 keep single prom
Use He had provided none Of his faithful
Iackeys with place. The citizens were
forced stilI 10 scratch gravel and they
svore revenge. They went into executive
session with themselves and determined
that the first opportunity that presented
itself would be seized to smash the Mex
Burns. all unconscious of the rebellion,
continued as before. The "citiZenS were
his property quite as mUcn as his horses.
IT, was paying the stable expenses Of
both. and it was his privilege. he thought,
ro ride one as well as the other. He
counted without his host.
After the citizens decided to hold a
municipal convention Burns sent for the
leaders. He told them in that pleasant,
superior way which is his own that he
favored the policy and programme Of the
Reform Republicans. and he was in
clned to have the citizens" indorse the
their teeth. Their opportunity was com
ing more quickly than they expected.
They wanted to find out just what the
Mexican wanted, and then they would
WELD their hammers.
Burns had one particular favor to ask
indeed, 1t was more than favor; it was
a demand-and when it was made the
"citizens" thought apprehensively of the
next months rent. The Mexican insisted
that whatever else the 'citizens" might
do, they must indorse the nomination of
William A. Deane for County Clerk. The
dictator had no reason to give; He made
no effort to dispel the shadow of De
Young which fell upon the group. He had
given his orders. and there was no al
tentative for obedience
Inc 'ClJlZenS departed. Jney ndQ only
one purpose in view. If their political eX-
istence burst as a bubble they would do
Just what the Mexican did not want them
to do. Since Burns wanted Deane, the
''citizens" decided in grim determination
not TO indorse Deane. And that explained
the action Of the citizens" on Thursday
night. They had nothing against the gen
ial BILLY" Deane personally-in fact, he
was personally liked by most of the mem
bers-but this was an opportunity to pun
ish the Mexican, and that was all there
was to It. They planned a sham battle
among themselves, called each other
names that had more of serious truth
than sham In them. and nominated Peter
Hammond for County Clerk. Peter Ham
mond is a worthy gentleman.
Deane received the citizens ak, and
Burns is philosophizing on political in
gratitude. The citizens are grinning in
self-esteem, and IN a few days the land
lord will probably begin to wonder from
whence the next months rent for the
headquarters is coming.