The San Francisco call., 1899-05-07
BUCKLEY RETURNS TO POLITICS

7 THEN Dan Burns pushed himself forward as a
"a candidate for the United States Senate and
obtained the open support OF the Southern Pa
chc Company and Governor Gage and the scarcely
less open assistance Of the Examiner, The Cali stated
that the spectacle would startle Boss Buckley with
sense OF neglected opportunities. It IS evident now
that the statement was correct Boss Buckley has re-
turned to politics.
1t IS we'll known that Buckley has been more or
less active in municipal politics during the whole
period OF his osensible retirement his farm, but he
has not appeared boldly as leader for some time past
Now. however, he comes back to raise his standard
and blow his trumpet and rally all his oldtime gangs
and assume once more the dictatorship OF his party
His return has all the osentaton and presumption if
none of the dignity or magnitude OF Napoleon's re
turn from Elba.
The temperance OF the old boss has been greeted
in the Democratic camp with clamors from some
quarters and an almost deathlke silence in others
OF the two forms OF welcome the clamors have made
the more noise but the silence has been the more
significant Irequires but little understanding OF the
situation. little insight into the motives which ami
mate them. 70 comprehend why the Examiner and its
attendant gang OF politicians after having for years
denounced Buckley as thief, boodler and shame
less corruphonist, should now be silent in his pres
euce and attentive while he talks
DuCEltl return IS no doubt due 10 ms DeNel tnat
Burns and Gage have so discredited the Republican
party that Democratic success is possible this year
under any kind OF a boss. II Burns can become a
Senatorial possibility, why not Buckley; A victory
in the city will be seppng-stone to victory in the
State, and then the thing will be done Such is evi-
derty the view taken OF the situation by the boss who
but few years ago fed the city to avoid justice and
he returns TO politics in order TO ease his remorse
ior the neglected opportunities OF the past
Il IS to be denied that the temperance OF the
boss is an important factor in the political situation.
Buckley IS to certain class OF people a magnetic
leader; he has natural sympathy with the aims and
desires OF ward politicians and therefore easily wins
their support; moreover, he is good organizer 1t
is altogether likely he will soon capture the Demo
cratic works" The little rival factions OF Rainev
McNab, Harvey, Phelan, Pepper. the Examiner and
the rest, will be swept away in the enthusiasm OF the
wards the return OF the old man and the Buck
ley banner will ere long be proudly displayed from
the outer wall OF the Democratic citadel
It IS an interesting situation but it is one which
need give the Republican party no fear The defeat
c Burns has attested the freedom OF the party from
the control OF corrupt bosses and corrupt corpora
tons. It's hold upon the people was never stronger
than at present and there little doubt the voters
will stand by it at the polls The Democratic
push OF the city may flock to Buckley as the "old
guard foczed to Napoleon after his return from
klba, but when the intelligence OF the city has a
chance at him on election day he will meet a
Waterloo