The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-04-02
HILL IN THE SADDLE.

T is evident that the political fortunes of Judge
| Parker have been placed in the hands of David
L B. Hill This is fortunate for Judge Parker
long his fight is within the party, leading UP to
the nomination Beyond that point the shifts
Mr.. Hill got his political training under Tweed. He
sub-leuenant under that Tammany chietain
who knew him as Little Dave" and used him in the
Legislature in that series of acts which led to the
complete control of New York City by Tweed and to
footing it in the of S2o.ooo.ooo.
When Tweed was brought to an account by Tilden
Hill into retirement and let his chief take his
medicine. He resurrected Lieutenant Governor
became Governor and then Senator In the Senate
during Mr. Cleveand's second term. he led in all that
demoralizing opposition the President which finally
took his party away from his leadership. Hill had
begun this in 1892. He called the celebrated
Snap Convention" by which he secured, with the
assistance of Tammany delegation to the National
Convention pledged against Cleveland and led by
Bourke Cochran In the Senate he put all of his sub
tlety into breaking Clevelands power. He opposed
his NOMINATIONS and opened the way to the final attack
under the leadership OF Bryan. which overthrow Mr.
Cleveland completely and demoralized the party
that its moral weakness has made it receptive the
influence of Hearst
No knows what Mr.. Hills Interior plans He
mas grated upon the party of strange issues
and administration influenced by him would repre-
sent every wild and hairy plan that would win few
votes, matter what the effect upon the country
the temperance of his old enemy Cleveland To pre-
vent this he has encouraged the antiCleveand senti
ment among the upstate Democracy of New York
extent that to have made him master of a
situation in which he can dictate to Tammany.
1t is natural, therefore, that Tammany should treat
with him by agreeing support Parker. No Demo
cratic candidate has found favor the polls when
supported by Tammany. Tammany opposed and fought
IIlden, and he had popular majority. 1t fought
Cleveland in 1884 and he elected 1t supported him
in 1888 and he beaten. With Hills help fought
him in 1892 and he elected. Tammany supported
Bryan twice, and he beaten. The Democracy of
the country do not take kindly the ways of Tam
many and look with aversion upon a Tammany national
administration Washington.
Mr.. Hills power to assimate any issue that. seems
TO have votes behind it shown in his adoption, in
the State platform of 1902 extreme theories of
socialism. The anthracite coal strike had focused
public attention upon the coal supply The coal opera
tors helpless and unable meet the demand for
fuel because their control of their property was sus
pended by force they could resist People were
not making particular inquiry into the of the
coal shortage They wanted coal That situation
offered to Mr.. Hill chance influence existing
public opinion and perhaps catch He
advantage of it by making joint bid that appealed
the socialists and the necessities of people who
socialists.
He made it by putting in the State platform an
appropriation plank raising the monstrous doctrine
is unable to operate it because of force that he
cannot resist the right of appropriation and the
State may take his property from him and operate it
public enterprise! This plan opens the way to
immediate government ownership and control of all
property 1t disclosed the peculiar order Of Mr. Hills
mind. The condition which would give the right of
appropriation caused by unlawful acts and he
assumed that lawful public right arise that
unlawful the victim of those being the sufferer
and therefore the party selected for punishment.
This country has been made familiar with variety
OF governmental theories. AS long they only
in the breath of those who dream of them no one
cares to give them careful examination. But when
leader like Hill plants among the principles of his party
scheme for the universal overthrow of private owner
ship of property attention is compelled Judge Parker
is put forward conservative But his campaign
made by Hill 1t is like putting George Fox in the
hands of Suwarrow and insisting that the Quaker
opposes and rapnc. The task Mr.. Hill has on hand
is to make the socialists and capitalists believe he is
with them both. But he has two eyes and can wink
at both sides.
The King of Italy and the Emperor of Germany have
met, exchanged greetings, pledged friendship and have