The San Francisco call., 1899-02-26
THE PRESS NOT TO BLAME.

N O doubt there is felt hope that Burns may
NJ benefit by a reaction against the press which
4 ' opposes him. But, speaking OF reactions, there
are others The attitude OF the press has simply
represented the instant public reaction against Burns
that set in the moment his candidacy was announced
by the Southern Pacific road That candidacy has
lost none OF its offensive clements and has gained
none that are noffensive since that time 1t Is now
lust what it was then-an ofense the State and an
injury TO the Republican party. II its success were
possible. the mortal wound inflicted upon the. party
would be the same now as it would have been II
dealt upon the first ballot. Nothing said nor omitted
by the press has changed the situation nor taken the
venom out OF the poison OF the Burns movement The
tact that Wright avaed himself OF passing sensa-
ton in the House against newspapers to attach hlm-
sell to the incident a martyr has effected no
change in his situation made any forget that
he held the Speakership seventeen days and resigned
it in disgrace to avoid expulsion from his seat
So in like manner the morals and politics of the
Senatorial issue and all that is impnged upon 1t are
lust as they were before their discussion in the press
provoked retaliation in which men participated who
al heart are in accord with the press as TO the
acts which made that discussion necessary
We do not deny that many good men have taken
on the spirit OF rebuke which has recently been
abroad with the press its object But we very
much doubt that they would have done much dill
fcrently il they had upon them the responsibilities
which appear from the standpoint OF the Journalist
When the cause OF unjustihable ambition seeks
advancement by cnlisting among its agencies every
thing from the wauton to the bottle, and, moving
along the lines of bribery, temptation and debauch-
cry. seeks success over the ruined honor OF lndl-
.viduas the furnished fame OF the State and the de-
feat OF the party there arises quite naturally spirit
OF frank remark which is not agreeable to the push
and pull that is before and behind Mr.. Burns.
II natural politics and party interest had been 10y
ally considered first in the concern of these mani
pulators, and Bard, Barnes, Scott, FELTON, some
man their peer in service and their equal in fitness
had been put forward and elected, OF these far
reaching disorders would have occurred. 1t is an
cid trick of the sinister politician to barnace himself
on the party 10 its harm and complain that those who
deprecate and denounce him enemies OF the party
The enemies OF the party those who abuse its
power who belong to it for what they can get from
it, and not fer what good it do the State.
The friends OF a party those who keep its word
OF promise both the and the hope OF the peo-
pie who trust it for its promises.
We belong to the latter class, and not denying
errors admitting them to be OF temper inten-
ton we prefer to seek the public good through party
honor ratheC than surrender both in the interest OF
such asprants as Burns whose ambitions
worthy as they are personally unfit for the high
places they seek