The San Francisco call., 1899-11-03
AN EFFACED HUMBUG.

IN their published advertisement Mr.. Fitch's Non
Partisans express dislike OF the Rickard ballot law
and declare that they will never rest until they
have wiped it of the statute-boos. 1t is not diff
cult to understand the cause OF this aversion The
Rickard law has already commenced the contest by
wipng the Non-Partisaus off the official ballot, and,
unless suppressed there is every prospect that it will
keep them of.
All persons who cultivate hatred OF humbugs
Will rejoice that the issues OF this political vendetta
lave thus been joined It is individual opinion
that if the new ballot law had never accomplished
any greater feat than the suppression OF the Non
Pa-sans It would be entitled the support OF every
iair-rriaded citizen Of this community, for if ever
AT irexcussble huubug existed it is this so-called
party" The principles which it processes are false
and ioundationless the basis OF its organization IS
snare and pretense, all the more dangerous politi-
c because covered with the cloak OF respectablity;
and the platform upon which it appeals for votes is
paipable illusion and an arrant fraud.
For years the Non-Partisan party has been used
by Mr. Fitch and his followers as club for Draining
decent Republican candidates for office. Its work
has been so openly Democratic that it has justly
earned the title OF Democratic sdeshow." On one
occasion it was used to throw the government into
the hands Of Buckley and Rainey, two Of the worst
political bosses who ruled the city On another
occasion it placed Dan Burns in possession OF sew
eral important Offices, and later it has trained en-
tirey in the interest OF Phelan and his machine
Recently one Of its conspicuous members stole into
the Republican camp and sought nomination fof
Supervisor, only, like Benedict Arnold, to betray
his party and accept commission from the enemy
II Mayor Phean ever secures the power and does
not pay this man the price OF his perfdy he will
register a sharp departure from accepted Non
Partisan methods
To obliterate political fraud OF this character is
glory enough for the Rickard ballot law If it shall
finally itself be effaced it cannot fail to long be
membered, like Wellington as the hero OF the great
est battle ever fought.
It because OF this statute that the Non Partsans
will play subordinate engagement in this cam
paign, but, small this engagement IS it is Demo
cratic. In their advertisement the party" ndorses
three Democrats out OF four candidates for city and
county officers One OF these Democrats if elected
will appoint commissions which will dsburse $1,000
600 worth OF patronage in two years. This patronage
coupled with a towering ambition may make two
Democratic Congressman from this city and Unite1
States Senator from the State Out OF eighteen SUI
pervisors indorsed eleven are Democrats II Mr.
Fitchs advice is followed in this case the legislature
Of the city will be thrown bodily into the hands Of
the Democracy
This is Non Partisanism with vengeance And
yet this humbug party" led by Republican traitor
impudenty asserts that its Endorsements are earned
by faithful service. Where is the faithful Heyer Re
publican candidate for Assessor, and the faithful
Lackmann Republican candidate for Sheriff? Or
better still the faithful Davis who has served his
country. his city and his party for forty years with
ont once departing from the straight and narrow
path2
We congratulate the Richard ballot law on having
wiped so palpable a humbug off the official ballot
II it shall finally manage to dispose OF the Non
Psrtsans forever it will be entitled to monument
in Golden Gate Park The ages will not record a
greater or more benefcent victory for political in
tegrity and civic reform.