The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-09

HE proposition to elect that vam-
pire Burns as United States SEN
ator from California shows the
unspeakable gall of certain politi-
clans in this State"
So spoke Rev. S. II. Brush. pastor of
the First Presbyterian Church of Ala
media. to his many parishioners yester-
day morning. One could have heard a
pin drop in the large auditorium as the
preacher, in clear-cut, well-chosen
sentences, proceeded to make the fol-
lowing statement:
'I wish to announce before begin
ming my sermon this morning that 1
shall tonight speak in this church
on a topic which has never be-
fore been handled from this pulpit. at
least, since 1 have been the minister.
It is my intention to deliver an ad-
dress on political affairs in California.
"The greatest crime of the century
is now proposed by pothouse politi-
clans in this State. They would elect
that jailbird, Dan Burns, to a seat
in the United States Senate. Such an
act would be an unspeakable out
rage upon the people and should be
combated by all honorable men, by
every rightful means in their power.
My ancestors were Americans and
fought for liberty in the Revolutionary
War. This, my country, is dear to me.
and I, as a preacher, feel that I am
called upon to. fight when anything
menaces it's welfare.
''The proposition to elect that
vampire Burns, that pickpocket poll
tician Of San Francisco, United States
Senator from California, shows the
unspeakable gall of certain poll
ticians in this State. The voice of
protest should be raised on every
hand. Come tonight and bring all
of your friends to the church"
This invitation, scattered broadcast
over Alameda during the day, had the
effect of bringing together an alb
normally large audience at the time of
evening service.
The pastor prayed for divine help to
deliver the country from internal perils,
and then launched directly into his
discourse against Dan Burns, using as
a text the following verse from Scrip
ture:
''As a roaring lion and a raging bear;
so is a wicked ruler over the poor peo-
pie. PROV. xXvlit:15.
Never before in the history Of this
Republic was there a greater necessity
for sending picked men to Congress
than at the present time. No more
important questions ever came before
this country than are to be precipitated
IN the House of Representatives and the
Senate in the next few years. The war
with Spain has opened up problems of
administration whose solution will re-
quire the best talent and the noblest
virtue Of which this country is pos
sessed.
I'm the new policy of our country Cali
single State has so much at stake. To
no other State does the acquisition Of
Hawaii and the Philippines mean what
it does to the Pacific Coast. The coun-
try has been congratulating itself upon
the happy issue of the war and has
shared in a widespread and universal
admiration for our war heroes. Better
men and more capable were never
drawn upon the stage Of action.
And now look On the heels of these
new and unprecedented events involv-
ing additional glory to our American
name and arms, we in California are
confronted with the most astonishing
piece of effrontery that has ever dis
graced the politics of our land. 1t is
safe to say that never before in the his
tory of the United States was it ever
seriously proposed to elect to the Senate
a man of the standing and antecedents
of Dan Burns.
Previous to the convening of the
Legislature men all over the State
ridiculed the idea that there was any
serious purpose to further his can
didacy. But the mask has been