Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-11
Why DEMOCRACY CAN WIN

WHY DEMOCRhCI CAN WIN
Republican politicians have quit srnil-
ing at "the very idea" Of Democrats
carrying the state Of California this
year. It was funny for awhile and
excited the risibilitles Of the shallow
Drained in the saloons and on the street
corners.
But the smile has faded. Word has
gone out from Republican headquar-
tiers that there is real danger and the
intelligent Republican newspapers are
regarding the political outlook with
grave concern.
And we'll they may. For when Tim
othy spellacy. chairman Of the state
Democratic committee, sounded the
call for harmony in the ranks 1t was
not an emtpy, hackneyed sound. is
sued for the idle purpose Of opening
a campaign in the usual hurrah style.
The program had been carefully con-
sidered and the movement well-timed.
IL is passing over the state like
prairie fire because the conditions are
ripe for It.
Democrats are able to harmonic
this year for the very good reason that
there Is nothing in sight on which
they can possibly disagree.
Hearst, by his course in New York
politics, has eliminated himself from
the Democratic party and set up his
household gods elsewhere. Having no
leader, the horses and carts" have
dissolved. San Francisco Democracy
is quiescent, and must kiss and make
up In the event of their making
trouble over any local affairs that
may develop, they will be told to wash
their dirty linen at home. The Dem
ocratc campaign will be conducted
this year by the state Democracy. The
San Francisco Democracy will be in
vited to cooperate actively, close up
It's ranks and occupy a front seat
but only on condition that 1t comes
to the convention without any local
scraps in which to involve all the
other Democrats. 1t must wash its
face and be good, as it has already
promised to do.
Hence the Democratic party of CAL
iforna is now in position, for the first
time in many years, to present a solid
front. 1t can get together and stay
together" as it already shows signs
of doing. There must be harmony-a
compact wall of Democrats, moving
as one man, without any reservations
as to candidates or leaders and without
any other purpose than the winning of
California and the restoration of pollt-
ical freedom to the people of this state.
The old Republican machine is sore
beset It's despotic power has been
welded and is being welded once too
often. 1t insists upon Ruef and
Schmitz and cannot rid itself of these
worthless without segregating its ranks.
1t will be damned IL it does and damned
il it doesn't. 1t must go on to the end,
even if that end be destruction.
Who or what is there to hinder the
Democratic party from carrying Cali
fornia this year? Pardee was de-
clared elected three years ago over
Franklin K. Lane by a plurality so
supreme court to locate it. The vote
Of 1904 in California is no criterion. The
Sacramento Union frankly admits that
it was not Republcanism so much as
the personal popularity of Roosevelt
that gave the state to Roosevelt by a
plurality of 115.S22 1t will be remem-
bered that McKinley's plurality in 1900
was only 39,770, while the Republicans
came within hairs breadth of losing
the state in 1902. The Republican sit
uation is avowedly worse today than
1t was then. That party is torn by
discussions, its reputable element fight
ing desperately for clean leaders and
recognizing the utter hopelessness of
the fight; burdened to the belly with
the weight of the railroad machine,
with Ruef and Schmitz and with San
Francisco politics; tied down and Sc
curely gagged by its corruptionists and
its indecent element. Anybody can
kick the old thing without much fear
of resistance, for it lies there at the
mercy of its foes.
But the paramount and pressing duty
of California Democracy is harmony
and organization. 1t must hustle into
ranks, dress front, eyes right, get
together and keep together" Then
with strong ticket and clean cam
paign, covering every city, town and
county, the California Democracy will
come into it's own.