Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-20
RAILROAD RIDDEN PARTY

The Sacramento Union Is still argu-
ing with itself, in editorials a column
long, against the probability of Schmitz
for governor and Ruef for United
states senator.
THAT the Republicans Of the state"
says the Union, plaintively, "vould sub
nit to Ruef's domination, elect his can
didate to the governorship and choose
a Legislature favorable to any further
plans he might have is more than
doubtful. In the view of those whose
judgments go beyond the mere mechan-
ism Of politics, the thing is impossible" "
But that's just where the trouble
comes in Those whose judgments go
beyond the mere mechanism of poll
ties have nothing to say or do about
IL and viii have no influence on the
situation Mechanism" is in the Re-
publican saddle and running things. If
Boss Herrin and Boss Parker and Boss
Knight can be persuaded that Ruef and
Schmitz are good things for the rail-
roads. then Iluef and Schmitz will be
chosen for senator and governor, so
far as the Republican party can exert
itself.
"The plain people, says the Union,
have other standards of morality,
other standards of patriotism, other
and higher views of political RESPONSE
bility and duty" of course they have,
but the plain people are not considered
by the Republican machine that now
dominates the state of California. They
are shut out completely from any voice
in the affairs of that party. A little
coterie of big railroad lawyers has
kindly taken public affairs out Of the
hands of plain Republicans and is pass
ing upon all public issues and appoint
ments. Even Governor Pardee, who is
a very respectable gentleman, writes in
effect to citizens of Los Angeles county
on more than one occasion: "If So
and-so will secure the Endorsement of
the organization l will appoint him."
And who is this organization? Chiefly
the railroad corporations, represented
by railroad lawyers.
California, through its Republican
machine-''mechanism the Union calls
it's about the worst corporation rid
den state, politically, in the country.
1t is absolutely dominated by the great
whose representatives dictate
public affairs generally.
Will Schmitz be nominated for gov
ernor? Yes, if it peases the railroad
lobby to nominate him. Will Ruef be
elected senator? Yes, if the machine
can maintain its grasp on the situation.
1t is for the plain people-plain Repub-
leans who have been rendered voice
less in their own party, plain Democrats
and plain independents-to join hands
against this monstrous condition of
political affairs in this state.
President Roosevelt is keenly alive to
the unholy combination within his own
party in California. When he desires
to make an appointment in this state
does he, like Governor Pardee, consult
the machine, the organization, the
mechanism? Never. He drops al
line or telegram to President Wheeler
of the University of California! And
when he wanted to name an honest,
vigorous, just and fair-minded member
of the interstate commerce commission
the president did not call upon Boss
Herrin and Boss Parker and Boss
Knight for any advice, or ask the state
Republican machine of California to
select suitable person. He promptly
appointed Franklin X. Lane, a Demo-
crat.
There is only one way by which the
plain people of California can restore
themselves to full citizenship and
political liberty and that is to array
themselves solidly against the Republi-
can machine, join hands with the
Democratic party and independents
and march into their rightful power.