The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-07
Revelations Of the Republican Central
Committee Report.
Governor Cages Opposition to Grant Is the
Sensation of the Day at the State
Capital.
BY HENRY JAMES.

ate. The truth could have been better
expressed this way: Every vote cast
Tor Burns will be personal aHronl 10
every citizen of California save the
ragtag and bobtail of the political
sums"
Gage has probably succeeded IN 40
ing Just the opposite of that which ne
mad intended to do. If Burns had any
chance Gage, posing in the attitude Oh
bully and blusterer, has killed it. Ii
Grant had a hard fight Gage has bat
tered down the barbados and cleared
the path of the San Diegan. do not
suppose that Grant feels particularly
grateful, for a gift is judged by the
spirit OF the giVer. Nevertheless, In a
| stupid and laundering way, Gage has
done more for him than was in the eX-
ecutive power to do for Burns. This
Legislature is not to be driven. 1t does
not rear Gage, and 1t is rapidly learning
not to respect him. Gage will get no
more golden eggs. He has slain the
Burns goose. From the standpoint OF
politics there could not have been
worse play. The goose needed killing,
but there was no obligation upon Gage
to perform the slaughter. The act was
ungrateful and uncouth, an exhibition
OF ShortsightedneSS and churliShneSS.
Gage helps bring about the defeat Of
Burns and yet is entitled to no credit.
He is like the man who fires a gun at
| the enemy, but finds the weapon dan
gerous only at the breech and his own
earthworks demolished.
1t is a good thing that the inaugural
ball is to be on the prohibition plan.
There are plenty of people here who
arise in the morning with painful recol-
lections of the night before, and for the
state to give them a free drunk would
promote the intensity of remorse,' as
we'll as subject more people to it. In
augural balls are at their best when
Z nd To
man picking his way through a maze
of skirts and electric lights, beauty and
grace, at the same time carrying two
thirds of jag, would be at a distinct
disadvantage.
Many of the San Franciscans here
appear perfectly at home. l learn that
they are in Sacramento every session,
either holding jobs or chasing one. If
| the job eludeS them they chase some
body who was more fortunate and III
tlmately induce some tender-hearted
one to pay their fare back to the city.
They explain that they would willingly
walk, except that the walking is bad
beyond Oakland. A part of the dis
appointed ones have already gone, but
the remarks they made about the Bel
shaw law still poison the air.
The subject of bribery has been men
toned. All the gentlemen have asked
about 1t assure me they have not been
bribed, and have not bribed anybody.
With Purist Burns in the race. of
course such methods of diplomacy
would be regarded with horror. 1t is
comfort to learn that bribery is here
looked on as crime, particularly if
found out.
Several people have intimated vari-
ously that newspaper notoriety is not to
their taste. l can only regret that !
was not sent here with orders to cater
to their tastes. An excellent way in
which to avoid notoriety is to behave
oneself and suggest this to the plain
tiffs in the case.
This has been very quiet day Yes
terday there was music by the band,
but to-day chin music is the limit
However, the patter of the rain makes
melody not to be despised.
Several prize-fighters have arrived. 1
do not know what Senatorial boom they
represent, but there are no ring events
scheduled, they are not in training, nor
are they supposed to be in quest of
health. The picture of Nose Gunst
publicly showing his diamond-studded
shirt front made great hit. Some of
the push looked at it longingly. IT'S
a wonder we let Nose get out OF town
with them Sinners said one of them.
Colds are prevalent here, so when q
statesman is heard speaking in husky
whispers. there is no possibility of tell
ing whether or not he talked himself
into the condition.