Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-03
SHAMEFUL EDITORIAL
ATTACK

that it can find no legitimate argu-
ment TO support it. was ever forced to
more woeful straits than is our morn
ing Republican contemporary in it's
efforts to boost the machine ticket
that is now appealing for the votes of
the citizens of this city. Time was
when this newspaper dared show in
dependence of party and to defy par
tisan claims upon its support when
those claims were not sustained by
right and justice. Time was when
after it had bolted an unfit nomination
of its party for congress, and certain
of its party leaders charged it with
infidelity to its party obligations, 1t
dared declare that neither the Repub-
lican nor any other political party
owned the Times, that the Times sup
ported the nominees of the Republican
party as long as those nominees were
worthy, but no party could force it to
support man whom it deemed an un-
worthy candidate for the suffrages of
the people. That was the time when
this paper was winning the confidence
and respect of the community in which
it was published as few newspapers
have ever won a community's conf
dence and respect. But apparently
that time has passed, for we find the
same journal which at one time re-
joiced in such a splendid independence
now urging the election of a ticket
headed by a, man whose acts when
member of the city council it unre-
servedly condemned; a ticket COM
posed of men like Barney Healy, who
never in his official career failed to
vote for any job that a special inter-
est attempted to get through the mu-
nicipal legislature of which he was a
member. And this one time indepen-
dent journal is endeavoring to support
this kind of a ticket by such editorial
utterances as appeared in its columns
on yesterday under the heading Re
publican Solidarity" in which it
gravely assures its readers that in the
contest now in progress in this city
between the forces of good government
on one hand and the forces of the
machine, backed by a so-called Repub-
lican convention which did not in any
sense represent the best local elements
of that great party. on the other hand,
"The integrity of the great Republican
party of the nation is at stake"
A high opinion this journal must
entertain of the national Republican
party to say that its integrity is jeop-
ardzed in the effort now being made
by the good citizens of this city to
throw off the control of a vile local
political machine controlled by a man !
who stands charged upon the affidavit |
Of one of the most honest officials and |
citizens of this city as an |
briber of public officials. |
But the effort to use the name of a |
great national party to sustain cor |
rupt local political machine was not |
the worst part of the editorial in |
question. The closing sentences |
showed a lack of appreciation of the |
and conscience of its read
ers such as, we venture to say, few
journals have ever dared to exhibit |
in their editorial columns. These SEN
tences are as follows;
"The Times is glad that the great ma
jOrity of Los Angeles Republicans are ready /
TO heed this call. And ii Is equally glad TO
see so many square-dealng Democrats. /
lovers of fair play, disposed to unite with /
The Republicans against boss-controiied
mayor with his our set collar, his peanut
politics. HIS BILLY-GoAT PERSONALITY /
and his intolerant A. T. Aism."
II the Times believes that this sort /
Of thing will appeal to its readers, it /
must have an extremely low estimate
Of the intelligence and self-respect of /
its clientele.
Let US inquire who this man is that /
the Times refers to as billy goat /
/
In the first place, all his life he has +
been a consistent member of the !
Times own party beginning the ex-
ercising of his franchise as a citizen .
by voting for Abraham Lincoln, the /
first great leader of that party, and
supporting by his vote /
It's policies and principles to the pres
ent time.
AS a soldier Of his country he fought .
through four hard years of war to pro- /
-ect the country that we all love and .
he flag that we all reverence.
He has led a private life in his bust
less and social relations so pure that
10 man has ever dared hint that
George Alexander in any business
or any social relation that
ne has ever sustained has been other
han good man and citizen.
He has devoted years of his life to
lonest efficient and effective service
If the people Of this county in official
position as a member of the board of
In one matter alone COM
ng before that board, to wit, the sale
If the good roads bonds his uncom-
promising opposition to a job which
vas attempted to be put through the
BOARD, and would have been put
through but for Alexander's protest,
aved the people of. Los Angeles coun-
Y more than 100000 in premium and
interest upon a $500. 900 bond issue.
He is a man who, after he had vol
retired to private life, with
means sufficient to meet the moderate
of the simple life that he led,
.gainst his own inclinations again
ook up the burden of official respon-
ibility at a most critical period in
he history of the city, and for the