Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-21
STATE DEMOCRACY

\
The harmony movement in the ranks
Of California Democracy has surprised
and somewhat alarmed those intelli-
gent and clean Republican newspapers
that oppose and fear the continued
supremacy of the Republican machine
They Understandable are brave
enough to say so-that the Republican
rank and file are dsgusted with ma
chine control and that conditions are
ripe for Democratic success IL the Dem
ocrats will conduct their party affairs
properly.
But the point in the present Demo-
cratic program which alarms the
enemy the most is the effort now being
made to arouse the state Democracy
to a sense OF its power
out of 554 delegates to a state Demo-
cratic convention SAN Francisco would
have only 16S. In the past 1T has been
customary for various sections of the
state having candidates for nomina-
tions to go begging to San Francisco
for votes and conceding to San Fran
cisco almost anything the city de-
manded. At the same time the city
would come to the convention with a
laundry full of dirty linen that had to
be washed in public, while the state
Democracy made a fool of itself by
getting in and helping the laundry bus
mess along. In consequence San Fran
cisco got everything and gave nothing.
The last state convention was full of
nothing but McNabites, Phelanites,
"horses and carts" and the various
San Francisco factions. Now Gavin
McNab and ex-Mayor Phelan are
splendid Democrats and invaluable
party men. But they are not the DEM
ocratic party of California and do not
claim to be. Whatever conflicts that
come from the city can be settled in
committee room. and the party go
about its business.
The present movement Is intended to
place the rs per cent of state dele
This accomplished, such great leaders
as Franklin X. Lane Gavin McNab,
ex-Mayor Phelan and others will be
asked to help in the leadership and
conduct of affairs. But San Francisco
Democracy, as such, will be asked to
either remain quiescent for a time or
else quell it's own riots and join the
ranks of the state Democracy.
People in the country do the best
and sanest voting, as frequently they
do the best and sanest thinking with
respect to political and governmental
affairs. They have a larger and more
contemplative view of things. Their
decisions are less selfish than those of
a majority in the great cities. 1t is
to the country, then, that the Cali
fornia Democracy appeals-and will not
appeal in vain.
The country Democracy, more than
the city Democracy, understands and
appreciates the situation. Country Re-
publcans, much more than city Re-
publicans, are alive to the desperate
dangers of machine and railroad con-
troll. They know that their party is
dominated by an organized system of
bossism that precludes all country Re
publicans from participation ins the
active affairs of the party. They know |
that their voices have been stif1ed and |
that their protests and appeals have
fallen upon unheeding ears. If the
political complexion of California shall
be changed it will be at the instiga-
ton of the country voters, chiefly. If
the Democratic party is to win, there
fore, it must be reorganized and DOM
mated largely by influences outside the
great cities. \
Plainly and frankly this is the gist
of the Democratic program for 1906 in
California. 1t is this that makes keen
eyed Republicans "sit up and take
notice.