Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-24
THE STATE CAMPAIGN

Upon the eve Of state political cam
paisn involving the election Of a COVER
nor and all other state officers the
Democrats OF California are confronted
with a golden opportunity.
The mass OF the people are dissatis-
fed, weary and disgusted with the Abe
Ruef Republican machine rule that
now dominates the state, and IL they
vote as they talk there will be a change
in the administration Of state affairs.
II was hoped that the earthquake at
San Francisco had shaken loose from
the Republican party the hold which
Abe Ruef has upon the organization,
but 1t is now conceded that he is more
firmly intrenched than before. Even
at the special session of the Legislature
Ruef sat beside the speaker and so
openly dictated the fate Of every meas
ure that the Sacramento Union felt
compelled to suggest editorially that
the willy Republican leader take a less
conspicuous position. lie paid no at
tention to the hint, of course. as he is
not built that way Modesty is not one
of his virtues.
Ruef is for Pardee.
In a great spurge Of patriotism and
decency the Sacramento Union last
winter continually denounced Ruef,
and finally declared itself in favor of
Pardee because he had the enmity of
Ruef and the railroad machine. 1t
turns out that Pardee later made con-
nections with these same powers and
believes his denomination to be
cinch.
Pardee will be renominated.
That much is apparently a foregone
conclusion. Because Of local interests
he will be strong in San Francisco and
some of the cities around the bay. In
all the rest of the state he will be
found the weakest candidate that could
be nominated Southern California
Republicans are, for the most part,
bitterly opposed to him and Northern
else nominated.
Throughout the state there is a feel
ing among decent Republicans that the
power of the machine and of Abe Ruef
must be broken If California is to lift
up her head again and attain what she
deserves in the estimation of the coun-
try.
That much admitted, it remains for
the Democratic party of California to
meet bravely and intelligently the con-
ditions which promise to give them
victory. They cannot do. this by allow
ing themselves to be driven hither and
thither by ward politicians from the
large cities. They must act harmo-
niously and from the high standpoint of
principles.
So far as gubernatorial candidates are
concerned, there is plenty of available
timber. Here in Southern California
the name of Nathan Cole, jr., is upper
most In Northern California there is
unanimity of sentiment in favor of ex-
Congressman Geary, while Sacramento
Democrats are still favoring District
Attorney Seymour. There was a hope
entertained that ex-Mayor James d.
Phelan of San Francisco would be
candidate, but his friends declare that
he now occupies a position that will
prevent, for the time being, his re-
entry into politics.
There is no dearth of candidates. A
nominee for governor who will be
strong in his opposition to machine
politics and pronounced in his advo-
cacy of popular rights and the free
dom of the people, will carry the state,
Harmony, intelligence and energy
must characterize every step in the
state Democratic campaign, and it
behooves the leaders to map out lines
of conduct that will be plain, open and
full of fight.