Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-30
sANFRANcIscoANpTH sTATE

SAN NFRANClSCO AND THE STATE
The general effect upon the state Of
San Francisco's tribulations is a sub
ject Of widespread newspaper discus
sion. The potency Of that clty's in
fuence in state affairs, and especially
its dominance in the legislature, make
the astounding disclosures now in
progress a matter of state concern.
What will be the probable effect,
therefore, of San Francisco's crucial
ordeal in respect to the state? Dis
cussion of this subject Is bringing forth
a variety of views, some of which are
optimistic but more are pessimistic. It
is noticeable, also, that the less hope
ful arguments are advanced, as a rule,
by authors who are particularly we'll
acquainted with conditions in San
Francisco.
The belief seems to be general, as in
dicated by the discussion, that Justice
will triumph to the extent Of breaking
up the present gang of San Francisco's
official looters and in sending the ring
leaders to state prison. But what
thenP Will not the reform wave soon
ebb again, leaving conditions as bad
as they appear in the light of present
revelations?
"Can the Ethiopian change his skin,
or the leopard his spots?" That seems
to express the situation in San Fran
cisco as it is viewed generally in other
parts of the state. Considering the
question from the future standpoint,
Fresno contemporary says: 'If San
Francisco's representatives can be left
to themselves, Embossed and morgan
lied, then there may be hope that
California will govern itself"
But what prospect is there for the
future in view of the past record? AS
the Fresno paper truly says: "San
Francisco has corrupted the state. In
every state convention and every legis-
lature, whoever made the best trade
with San Francisco was sure to win.
Dishonest men from the interior nat
urally gravitated to the San Francisco
gang. Scrupulous men saved their
personal self-respect, but they accom-
plished nothing. The actual course of
events was determined by the San
Francisco bosses and those who traded
with them"
Time alone will show whether the
attempted publication of San Francisco
shall be permanent or only temporary.
Perhaps the pessimistic view may seem
the more likely forecast, as the rot
tenness now revealed apparently ex-
tends to the core. Not only the poll
ticians and recognized rogues are
shown to be fit candidates for state
prison, but also rich, influential and
hitherto reputable citizens of the
highest social and business levels.
The political regeneration of Califor-
mia is far in the future, we fear, If 1t
depends upon the permanent purifica-
tion of San Francisco.
But the optimistic view is accompa-
MED by strong argument. 1t will never
do to admit that clean state govern
ment in California is hopeless, even
with the weight of San Francisco to
carry. 1t is very certain that a large
majority OF Californians are opposed
to the railroad Republican machine
methods which have heretofore steadily
prevailed No, they don't act as though
they were-that's true; but The Herald
hopes for better thought and more seri-
Gus consideration of public affairs in
this state by the good, clean people
who constitute the majority of citizens.
This majority has been hoodwinked, de-
ceived and led around by the nose by
appeals to it's party prejudices and
war passions. We feel that the day
is at hand when Californians will stop
and think-will pause to consider
sanely the dire necessity of cleaning
out the old gang of freebooters who
have traded on the good name of this
great state and putting decent. honest
men in power.
In short, there is much to be said
on both sides of the situation, but 1.-The
quality of hope is not strained" There
fore The Herald hopes and believes
that through the arousal of public
sentiment better political days are
coming.