The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-24

0OSll - bliC COlil plclSQ ISSOl0 VI iAC ICY
in the Legislature, with nothing to in
dictate a change in the immediate fu-
ture except the slow increase on the
total number of ballots taken since the
beginning of the session.
Since the opening of the present Sem
atorial campaign The Call has been
engaged in the unpleasant task Of pro-
tecting the interests of the people of
the State against the Vaccinations OF
q coterie of politicians who have no
other object in view than personal gain
and political preferment. To gain their
ends these men have not hesitated TO
bring to their aid every corrupt intiu-
ence known to those who make poll
tics trade.
Some of the men and many of their
methods have been exposed by this
paper during the course Of the past Few
weeks. What has been done in this line
IS familiar to the reading public. What
is not so familiar are the details of the
campaign that have made such ex-
posures necessary. Only those who are
here in Sacramento can have con-
ception of what unheard of and I'M
speakable methods are being employed
in an effort to secure the election OF a
man to the United States Senate who
IS obnoxious to a great majority OF the
people of the State. To effectively fight
such men and such methods it becomes
necessary to employ the most drastic
methods To do so is not pleasant
task, but it is a duty that a great news
paper owes to the people. To perform
this duty is the task The Call has set
for itself and it will not be deferred by
either political pulls, corporation in
In the Chronicle this morning ap-
peared an editorial of which the follow
ing paragraph seems TO fit the situa-
ton:
fThe Republican party had rather
go without a Senator for two years
than to have one who would disgrace
it for six"
The sentence expresses tersely the
sentiment of the majority Of the Leg1s-
lature and 1t reflects the feeling and
convictions of the best people of Cali
fornia. The sentiment is gaining ad-
herents every day.
Tonight the belief is stronger than
ever that Burns cannot win. He has
the power to create confusion in the
Legislature and prevent the enact
ment of laws that several of the leg1s-
iators deem necessary, but the exercise
of that power will not increase MS vote
Last week the touts designated Thurs-
day of this week as the day that the
Colonel would receive his commits
sion as United States Senator. To-day
he received twenty-five votes on JOINT
ballot. In six weeks he has gained but
three votes.
The statement was published In the
Rec this evening that Thomas r. Bard
had withdrawn from the contest and
returned to his home in Ventura To-
night Mr.. Bard was seen at his rooms
eli K street. He remarked that ne
would probably go to San francisco
next Saturday and return here Monday
= next He has derived some encourage
rnent from his friends and supporters
and will see what can be done IN the
IYav of consolidating the Southern Cali
fornia forces. Since his arrival mere al
the Senatorial candidates other than
Colonel Burns have paid him the cour-
tesy of visit and the courteous calls
have been returned.
The Grant forces are firm tonight
and more confident than usual. 1t is
whispered on the inside of the camp
that a detection exists in the Burns
fold which threatens a loss to the
'!colonel" of six votes 1t IS known
that several followers of Burns are Ian
gushing for more evidence OF lncreas-
ing strength than wise looks. Every
DAYS delay in getting caucus also
adds to the impatience Of Herrin. VINO
has been informed that railroad VIC
tory cannot be won without a caucus.
In view of those delays and compIica-
lions the touts are not encouraged
since Simpson betrayed his constitu-
ents of the southland not single
CLEAN of hope has frightened the norl-
zon of the organization"
Last evening the touts were exultant,
claiming that Assemblyman Muenter
had made up his mind to retire from
General Barnes column and cast his
vote for Dan Burns. When the roll
was called in joint assembly to-day
Mr.. Muenter voted as usual for General
Barnes. On the second ballot to-day
he cast his vote in the same way.
The chairman of the Republican
County Committee of San Joaquin
County is preparing a petition signed
nv delegates to the convention which
nominated the Assemblyman to induce
fhe latter to change his position. Mr..
-Muenter is advised by many leading
Penublicans that four-f1fths of the
voters in his county prefer that Gen
= eral Barnes should be elected Senator.
The balloting to-day was not sig
r40cant 1t was supposed that the sec
nnd ballot. which seemed TO be demand
- cd alike by the Burns and Grant forces.
would develop some changes, but none
were developed. The deadlock is as
arm as 1er with no signs Of breaking.
There is talk that all the members of
+he Legislature from Southern Califor-
n{a r-1ay decide to vote solidiy several
+Jyoes for homaS r. Bard, but the
,anyement in this direction has not
Gained much Roadway. 1t is clear to
fair and impartial observers that the
only way 10 eek the deadlock is for
y. M. Burns to retire from the contest.
He is exhausting the patience of the
=. people and the party by insisting that
fbe LEGISLATURE shall give him vindi-
Members of the Legislature are re-
cetvine expressions Of opinion from all
= narts Of the State to the effect that no
4jor,, Of BURNS. It is asserted that his
Q eiection would disrupt the party. Should
NO senator be chosen at this session of
the Legislature the Republican party
could 90 before the people OF this State