The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-08
FIRST WEEK OF THE
SENATORIAL FIGHT

CALL HEADQUARTERS, SACRA-
MENTO, Jan. THE forces of the vari-
GUS Senatorial candidates have now been
In the field one week, yet the situation
is practically the same as 1t was at the
time of the assembling of the Legisla-
ture. Members have been pulled and
hauled, caJoled, caressed and threatened
and here at the end of the week the OPP
posing forces can count noses without
marking any losses or accessions in the
ranks of their followers.
The Grant men lay claim to the ac-
quirement Of several votes, but the claim
is not borne out in its essential details.
The Burns forces are still claiming ev-
erytning in sight, but, strange to say,
they have no more votes in sight than
they had when they came to Sacramento
last Sunday. What they had then was
less than half of the number required to
elect a United States Senator and SO, nat
urally enough there is no undue hilarity
in the Burns camp. Bulla and Barnes
and Knight profess entire satisfaction
over the result of the weeks work, a fact
that leads naturally to the inference that
they are easily satisfied.
The Paterson, Beale and Bard booms
seem to have died natural death.
The one principal fact that has been de-
veloped by the first week of Senatorial
skirmishing is that there is not a single
candidate in the field who has the posi-
votes as are needed to elect him. Condi
lions are such that there will be no ma
terial change in the situation between
now and next Tuesday, the time fixed by
Senator. A deadlock, which will last
indefinitely. is likely to be the result.
That the expected deadlock will not ex-
tend over greater period than one week
is the expressed belief of the wiser ones
among the legislators and politicians as
sembled at the capital, but political signs
r11nr QI1G n q of on
than other brands, and there is no one
who dares to make a positive prediction
s TO when the end will come.
There are to-day many outward and
visible signs that the sack Of one or
more Of the Senatorial candidates has ar
rived. Burns lieutenants, many of whom
heelers, who are known in the metropolis
as men who are constantly in need of
square meal and decent suit Of clothes,
are each jingling pocketful of double
eagles and playing the bountiful host to
legislators.
The men buzz in and out of Burns
headquarters like bees in hive; and their
presence cumbers the hotel Hobbies, the
sidewalks and the barrooms. 1t is a
motley crew. but they have money and
as long as they are willing to spend it
they are tolerated by needy legislators
and the friends and well-wishers of some
who are not needy, but greedy. OF the
lot, there is not one who could influence
a vote, except, perhaps, by the use of
money. Even this last contingency is
extremely doubtful, for the legislator who
can be bought prefers to do business with
principals and not with hired agents, who
are so disreputable that they have not
the confidence of their immediate asso-
ciates.
1t is reported that the Grant sack ar
rived in town to-day from the south. Ru-
NOR also has it that the string will be
cut tomorrow or the next day, and from
and the highest market price will lbe paid
for Senatorial votes. How much truth
there is in these rumors does not appear,
nor is it possible to explain how it hap
ment of arrival from Los Angeles OF w.
H. Baker, who comes to lend aid and
comfort to the Grant boomers.
Baker enjoys the reputation Of being
one of the shrewdest politicians in the
southern country, and it is certain that
he is one of the select few who are
campaign. He arrives here at critical
moment, for prospective votes are scat
tered on account Of the three days re-
cess taken by the Legislature, and the
time must be employed in arranging for
the final struggle before the taking of the
initial ballot for Senator.
1t is very evident that the Grant people
have a well-marked plan of action in
view. If as seems certain, they intend
to attempt to influence the result by the
use of money, either directly or indirect
ly, the preparations that have been made
could not have been better. Many of the
men who are promoting the candidacy of
Grant have been connected with almost
every disreputable political job that has
been perpetrated during the past ten
years. and their, knowledge of the most
approved methods of Salving a lacerated
conscience with ready money is not to be
denied Some of the gentlemen who are
promoting the candidacy of the San
Diegan are wholly reputable and are
above suspicion.
The other class, composed of political
tricksters and social outcasts. are to be
accounted for only by the supposltion
that they are employed to do the dirty
work that is evidently considered neces-
sary to Grants success.
AS might have been expected, since the
announcement that Assemblyman Clough
favored Burns came from the Examiner
the gentleman enters denial. He Is not
for Dan, never has been and never will
be. His first choice is Barnes. whose
nomination he will second. If the devel-
oping situation indicates the wisdom of
efecting a man from the south, he has
not decided to whom his vote will go,
but IT will go to the available candidate
of that section. There can be no ext
gency which can win Clough to the Burns
DlSh