Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-20
TIME TO DETHR0NE
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
Record of Corruption In the Legislat.
ure an Indication the Party Has
Outlived Its Usefulness

LOS ANGELES, March 1S editor
Herald) AS an old resident of Cali
fornia 1 am prepared to believe that
our last Legislature was one of the
weakest and most corrupt that ever
assembled in this state. 1t is true that
1t expelled four of its members for
bribery, but how much better were
some of their confreres who voted for
the expulsion! The late unlamented
legislature contained few honest and
conscientious men, but they were in
a most dscouraging minority.
After the bribe-taking members
were expelled a bill against gambling
was voted down and another against
prize fighting. Two Of our southern
members succeeded in railroading most
obnoxious bills through both houses.
One of these prevents city owning
public utilties-gotten up in the inter-
ests of monopolies; and the other for
bids municipality to go outside the
county for its water supply. How such
bills could have gotten through even
that sleepy legislature without pro-
test from some one is mysterious. How
much other devilment they did time
alone can tell.
Never before has a legislature met in
this state that so lavishly scattered
the taxpayers money in paying of
political debts. 1t was understood in
the beginning that not more than
about 5000 a day was to be expended
on clerk hire, pages, ETC., but 1t soon
ran up to about $1,000 day. 1t seemed
to have an overweaning desire to
break into the treasury and spend all
the money it could; and then 1t had the
impudence to propose an amendment
to the constitution to double or treble
the pay of legislators!
The corruption unearthed In the ma
tional government, in congress, the
army, ETC., within the past few years
is anything but assuring. 1t shows
that the Republican party is honey
combed with corruption and moral
rottenness.
AS an old-time Republican I am
compelled to admit that we have
reached a period in our national life
that is alarming. The early history of
the Republican party was good; none
better; but its long ascendency has
attracted the worst elements of So
ciety and many of the most corrupt
and vicious men living have grown
up in it. With it the spoils of office
have became paramount.
Coming to municipal affairs, what
have we? Without specifying cases
take our last city council as whole.
After The Herald had lashed the re-
firing members and repeatedly warned
the new council in relation to its duty
to the people in curbing the rapacity
of oppressive monopolies that charge
enormous rates for exceedingly poor
service, our present council passed an
ordinance to take effect nearly one and
a half years in the future! If it is not
influenced by these great monopolies, |
why this delay? Everybody knows
there is no more excuse for it's remain
ing imperative until July, 1906, than
it is for July, 1920.
The Republican party is in power in |
the nation, state and city, and 1t has
been for nearly two generations. 1t |
has become the "Old Man of the Sea-"
astride the body polite and the people |
have little to hope for until 1t is de-
throned.
1t has outlived its usefulness and
ought to be decently buried. The
country is ripe for a change and anxi-
Gus to attend the funeral. Like po-
tatoes, its best part has long been
under ground.
OLD TIME REPUBLICAN,.