Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-07
THE RAILRohD TICKET

ietl HS Cauuludte TOT GONefnOI OF Nn1S
state was openly made yesterday at the
command Of the Southern Pacific rail
road and with the aid and connivance
Of Abe Ruef
1t Is a machine-n1ade nomination and
does not in any sense represent the Re-
publican party OF California.
Before the convention met II was an
nounced that Ruef held the key to the
situation" and that he would fight Gill
lett. The Herald said that this was
pure fake, designed to deceive the peo-
pie. The result shows The Herald was
right. The san Francisco delegation
voted for Glllett on the first ballot and
Ruef was acclaimed by the machine
shouters as the foremost Republican
of California"
The whole proceeding is disgrace
and shame. Congressman Gillett is
personally very estimable gentleman,
but his nomination at the Command Of
the Southern Pacific railroad Is an out
rage upon the citizens Of this state.
Boss Herrln, the chief attorney of the
railroad, with Boss Parker and other
attorneys Of the road, dominated the
convention in person and dictated the
proceedings without the slightest show
of concealment.
| Are such things possible under
democracy and no answering rebuke
from the people?
Must it always be said that the state
of California is owned and operated by
the Southern Pacific railroad, and that
the people a. not allowed to have any
voice in their own government?
Year after year the railroad collar is
being pressed more tightly upon the
people. Year after year the Republican
machine becomes more nsolent, defiant
and reckless. Year after year the rail-
road attorneys name delegates and can
didates with increasing impudence and
with greater assumption of authority
How long is this sort of thing to con-
tinue in California?
How long will the people submit to
| i,,di
a great and oppressive corporation
to take over their government-state,
county and city?
How long will it be manifest that the
citizens are not exercising their own
rights and power?
Men laugh at the cry of "bossism" as
though it we're a campaign joke, and
smile good naturedly at every overt act
of political usurpation on the part OF
the railroads. Yet they will read with
indignation of bossism in New York,
press wonderment that the people stand
for it.; while here in California, under
their very noses and in their own door
yards, is a railroad system of boss dicta-
ton more open, more shameless and
more outrageous than any that has ever
existed in this country. The machine
rule in Philadelphia, at which every
honest citizen stood aghast, was hardly
d circumstance to the railroad bossism
in California in Los Angeles county
and in Los Angeles city,
The nomination of Congressman Gill
lett as the Republican candidate for
governor of this state is an astounding
exhibition of he power Of railroad con
troll. And 1t would seem that the people
of California should seize the oppor-
tunity to overwhelm the dictator and
restore "a form of popular government
AS it is they are mere messengers of
the Southen Pacific railroad, recording
at lllC udllOl DON the eApItSSeu w Ill anu
pleasure of that sinuous and tyrannical
corporation.
What will they do about it?
Will they. as of old, carry the Ameri-
can flag to it's desecration by voting
the railroad ticket? Will they, as of
old shout like peasants for the boss
and do his bidding? Will they mumble
the ancient shibboleth of voting for
the party of Lincoln and Grant" by
casting their ballots into the lap of the
Southern Pacific railroad?
If so, 1t will be passing strange. II
so, they deserve all they get. IfI
so. nobody should blame the Southern
Pacific railroad, or Boss Herrin or Boss
Parker for doing anything they may
will to do.