The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-27

CALL HEADQUARTERS. SACRA-
MENTO, Feb. 26-"Rule or ruin" is the
motto of Dan Burns. He proposes to be
elected United States Senator, or, failing
in that, to prevent the election of any
body else
Should he succeed in bringing about his
election the Republican party in the State
of California would be dealt a blow from
which it would not recover for many
years. Should he succeed in making a
deadlock the injury would be great, but
not beyond remedy. The result i'm Ore
gon, where the Republicans chose to
leave the State without one of its Sena-
tors for two years, rather than to elect
an unworthy one for six years, shows
that the people approve of such a policy.
AS il was there, so it will be here. If
Burns makes a deadlock the blame will
be his. Should he be elected the blame
will be on the party.
Fortunately. from the present outlook,
thereis no reason TO fear either result.
Now that the closing days of the session
are at hand and there is still no prospect
of a realization of the many promises
that Burns has heralded from week to
week, through the medium of his army
of touts, even his own followers have
awakened TO the knowledge that his
cause is hopeless and that the State is to
be saved from the misfortune of his cleo
ton.
Not only this, but it is equally apparent
that he will be unable to prevent the cleo
ton of some more acceptable candidate
There has not been week since the be-
ginning of the session that the Burns
NeutenantS have not announced that on
some particular day of the following week
Burns would marshal his reserve forces
and receive his election at the hands of a
majority of the members of the Legisla-
On tho 9th nf
Burns followers have celebrated ap-
preaching victory on occasions too nu-
merous to mention. They are now look
ing back on this long vista of glorifica-
tons with anything but kindly feelings,
and IL is safe to say that it will take
something more substantial than promises
to induce the colonel's friends to repeat in
the future the follies of the past.
Tonight the Legislature and politicians
who gather in the hotel corridors are
telling each other that there is some
thing doing" and that the present week
will be big with events
What the something is, none of them
can say, but the belief is prevalent that
whatever happens will make itself ap-
parent in the Burns camp. and that it
will not be to Burns advantage. Some Of
the San Francisco members, who have
been voting for Burns. have been muir
muring more or less openly for a week or
more against the situation in which they
find themselves. These men say they
have no objection in voting for Burns as
long as they believe the power that is
behind him can force him into the Sena-
torship in spite of all obstacles, but they
rebel against being crucified when there
is no chance of being able to reap an
adequate reward. They say that almost
two month have elapsed since the Legis-
lature was convened and Burns has fail
ed to show any of the strength of which
he boasted. Their present uneasiness is
caused by a growing conviction that
end that he may succeed in carrying out
his threat that if he cannot be elected
he will block the election of any other
candidate.
It was ~iven out around town tonight
that Assemblyman Mcdonald of Alameda
will change his vote from Grant to Burns
tomorrow Some color was given the sto-
~ by a general knowledge of the fact that
for some time past strong pressure mas
been brought to bear on the Assemblyman
to induce him to enter the Burns camp.
Friends of Mr.. Grant, however, insist that