Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-20
TO THE DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTIONS TODAY


peachable character and known integ-
rity. This of course, is a duty which
at all times rests upon every political
convention. a duty of citizenship, a
duty which every convention owes, not
only to the citizens whom 1t represents
as members of the party in whose
name it acts, but a duty which 1t owes
to the community which is to be
served by the candidates it nominates
should they be successful in being
chosen at the polls.
But at the present time 1t is duty
which is particularly imposed upon the
members of the convention as Demo-
Gratis on account OF the peculiar posi-
ton which politics Of this county have
assumed. 1t is s. matter Of common
knowledge that the Republican con-
ventions which have just been held In
this city were in almost everything
controlled by the machine wing of that
party. These conventions, with very
few exceptions, nominated men who
were known first of all as its servants.
Some of these men have established
this reputation by their actions In pub
lie positions which they have held in
the past. Notwithstanding this. they
have been renominated to fill these
positions.
AS to the records which these men
have made, The Herald will speak more
at length and more specifically later IN
the campaign, provided the Democratic
conventions by nominating good men
make it worth while to call the atten-
ton Of citizens and voters to the
shortcomings of their opponents and by
comparison emphasize and illustrate
the superior character of the Demo-
cratic candidates.
There is beyond any question grave
split in the ranks Of the Republican
party. Many patriotic citizens of that
party who enlisted in the cause OF re-
form and used their utmost endeavors,
fruitlessly as it turned out, to rescue
their party from the hands of the
Southern Pacific machine will not be
inclined to bow their necks to the die
tates of that machine merely because
1t secured control Of their party con-
ventions.
There is beyond any question in this
county a large element of Republican
citizens who place country above party
and who, IL they are not afforded by
their own party the opportunity to vote
for candidates for Office whose charae-
ter commands their respect and conf
dence, will vote for candidates of an
other party, provided these are of the
character and standing which will give
them assurance that in abandoning
their own party and voting for the
Democratic candidates they are doing
patriotic act.
In addition to this class Of voters
there is also in this county an unus-
ually large element Of independent vot-
ers who take no active interest in
party politics, but are content to await
until the candidates are placed In tho
field by each party and then endeavor
to select the men. whom they deem by
their known character and fitness most
worthy of their support.
1t is within the power Of the Demo-
cratic conventions in nominating can
didates for assemblymen and super
visors to secure the votes Of these two
elements If their members are true to
their highest duties as Democrats and
citizens. We expect the Democratic
conventions to measure up to the stan
dard of the duty and opportunity which
confronts them.
In addition to this the county con-
vention in it's platform should pledge
its legislative nominees specifically to
the support of certain legislation which
the state needs and must have if it is
to be free from evils with which 1t has
been affected in the past. The nomi-
nees of the convention should be un-
quaiifedly pledged to use their utmost
ing legislation:
First-A stringent anti-race track
gambling law.
Second-A law enforcing the provis-
ions OF sections 21 and % of article IL
of the constitution, forbidding rebates
ana anu p1ONA0lAAb A4Ach
chinery fully adequate for the imposi-
tion and collection of the penalties pre-
scribed in section %, and also a law
forbidding the granting by railroad
companies of free transportation
within the state Of California except to
such parties as are permitted by the
interstate commerce law to receive
such transportation.
Third-A law providing for direct
primary for the nomination Of all cleo
tive officers.
Fourth--A law providing for the
States senators, the result of which
shall be binding upon the members OF
the legislature.
Fifth-A law providing for the pros
ecution upon the complaint of citi-
zen, and for the removal from office
upon conviction, of officials who ar
guilty of such notorious failure to per-
form their official duty as lately char
acterized the course of the railroad
commissioners and attorney genera
with reference to the notorious rebatine
cases against the Southern Pacific
company.
Sixth-The platform should alsC
pledge the members Of the legislature
elected by the Democratic party Il
take appropriate steps for the i'm
peachment of the present board of rail
road commissioners Of this state OF
account of the notorious failure of this