The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-25
LEGISLATIVE BLUNDERS.

IN the case of Howard E Wright The Call warned
the members of the Assembly of the danger OF
yielding to misplaced sympathy for an unrepen-
taut corruptonist When his bare resignation from
the Speakership was accepted atonement for the
receipt of pecuniary aid in political canvass under
distinct understanding that he would support par
ticular candidate for the Federal Senate it became
evident that the citizens of this State would apply to
such Assemblymen as allowed themselves to be drawn
into that indefensible position the maxim OF nos
ctur sociis or express its accurate meaning that
a man is estimated by his associates.
This warning may be repeated and enforced
in relation the Senate to the entire Legislature
and to the Governor. Because episodes IN the lie
of Grove L. Johnson were recalled through the me-
dunn of cartoons in the daily press, for which, II
Ebelous, complete remedy was provided by law, 1t
has been pausibly asserted that the unconstitutional
antcartoon BILL which had been defeated in the SEN
ate the day before was passed and Immediately ap-
proved If this assertion had been true, then, ire
spective of the merits or the dement's of this BILL by
such an exhibition of rage and v1ndctveness the Sen
ators who voted for it and the Governor who signed
would have injured themselves and not the press.
1t is too clear for argument that public ofhcer,
either in the legislative or executive department OF
the government who representing the people OF this
State does any under the influence OF passion or
the purpose of revenge, to facilitate the candidacy
of man unworthy of the station to which ne as
pires places on record the evidence OF his own lack
of balance and ncompetency to reason with accuracy
or4o decide with justice.
But the Assembly also saw fit by resolution to ex-
press its confidence in Mr. Johnson and yesterday in
the Joint convention he received fourteen compli-
mentary votes These pieces of folly that cannot
fail to produce unpleasant consequences The world
is exceedingly tolerant to- youthful oies. or even to
conduct of graver complexion. There is generous
and chivalrous vein in human nature, resulting from
the universal consciousness OF imperfect1ons that
leads to the conformation and oblivion OF early faults
in men, and occasionally in women, who labor and
strive for transformed and higher life. But the con-
dition is element in the pardon, and II violated,
the original transgression is revived man who,
having turned down page in his own history, IN the
course of professional and legislative career III
which he is aided by the silence OF the press and OF the
public wantonly and vituperativey assails every
human being who crosses his path and dogmat1cally
and unnterruptedy represents corrupt element
human race cannot expect that in his case, the
mantle of charity will never be raised. He, above
other men, is called upon exercise the same moder-
alton and the humanity toward others that he
solcits for himself. He occupies no attitude that
enables him to assume his immunity as giving
him an opportunity to betray the public, to lower
and degrade the State which he resides and coarsey
and brutally to vent his personal animosities
under the shield of legislative privilege, while he
seeks to deprive observing and independent press,
without motive or object except to benefit the State
and the nation, of constitutional and legal protection
The Mysteries and melodramatic frenzy at Sacra-
ento to the extent to which they exist at all, are
deliberately worked up by Dan Burns and his asso-
ciates in the hope that when all other treacheres to
the people have failed he may be forced into the Sen
ate of the United States on of spurious ndig-
nation No human being has pretended to assign a
reason for this unprecedented attempt to insult the
State and locally to destroy the Republican party ex-
cept as retaliation for newspaper exposure and
criticism The comments of the interior press alone
have deprived the railroad and its satellites OF excuse
or palliaton for their obstinate and dishonest ad
heson to Burns, and the infay OF his success would
be beyond apology or explanation.
The Call has candidate for the Senate 1t
stands first for the country and, second for the Re
publican party. 1t asks only that the best available
Republican be chosen. This is demand that Cali
fornia and the nation will comprehend. 1t cannot be
cvaded by Billingsgate or by puerile exhibitions OF
temper 1t cannot be affected by the roar of bully
or by the violence of bravo 1t speaks for itself, IN
precise clear and patriotic tones, harmonizing with
Republican dignity and with American honor.