Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-17
DEMOCRATS, IRATE,
ATTACK NJ DONALD
Norton Says Self Constituted
Senatorial Candidate Is
Cornering Signatures
BUYING NAMES, Is CHARGED
Effort to Prevent Bekins Getting
Signers to Petition OBJ
eCt Claimed
BUYING NAMES, is CHARGED

The Democrats of Los Angeles were
greatly incensed yesterday when it
was learned that Henry M. Mcdonald,
erstwhile secretary of the Jenersonlan
club and who until two years ago was
known in the east as Tammany
heller is resorting to every possible ell
fort to shut out the regular Democratic
candidate, Martin Bekins, who is run
ming for the state senate in the Thirty
eighth di trict.
Long before the Democrats of Los
Angeles county could call conference
or decide on the best man for the state
senate in this district, Mcdonald thrust
himself into the foreground and an
nounced himself as THE Democratic
candidate from that district. HIS ac-
ton was much criticised at the time,
but although it became known subse-
uuently that Mcdonald was backed by
the machine, little serious attention
was paid to it, as it was believed ne
was so notoriously a machine candl-
date that he would meet with but
little success in securing signatures
to his petition.
1t was learned yesterday, however
that by expending a considerable
sum of money he has secured more
than 2000 signatures, and thus, no
doubt. if he continues his work, VIII
make It extremely difficult for the reg
ular Democratic candidate to secure
even the necessary minimum demanded
by law.
The fact that Mcdonald has secured
more than 1000 signatures should con-
denim him in the eyes of every voter,
it is claimed for the reason that TINS
number is 1900 names more than the
maximum prescribed by law. AS he
cannot use this number when ne MES
his petition, it is obvious that McDoh-
aid intends to pocket all the names
in excess Of the legal maximum, and by
making the voters believe they are
bound to support him at the general
election, as at the primaries, ne hopes
TO win the nomination and secure d
seat in the state senate.
LESS than ten days ago." said Chalr-
man Albert M. Norton of the Los An
geles county Democratic central COM
mittee. Yesterday, mcdonald ap-
neared in supplementary proceedings
before Judge Pierce of this city and
testified that his total effects consisted
| of S192 in cash and waterbury
watch valued at $1.25. Yet we under
stand he is paying7 10 cents name
| for signatures to his petition IN the
Thirty-eighth district We want TO
know who is putting up TINS money.
"Mr. Mcdonald made the statement
the other day that it would be impos-
sible for Martin Bekins to procure
Signatures in this district, and several
| times. we understand, he has intormed
| democrats here that he (McDonald)
was getting the excess number OF sig
natures for the sole purpose OF smut
| ting out another candidate. If this is
true, we believe we can make IL inter-
esting for Mr.. Mcdonald.
II want to warn the voters IN the
| Thirty-eighth district that Mr.. NC
Donaids claims, which I understand
| he has made to all his petition sign
ers several days after they af1lxed
their names, that they are morally ana
legally bound under the direct primary
law to vote for him at the primaries,
is absolutely untrue. The fact that
voter has signed a candidates petition
does NOT bind him legally to vote
for that candidate at the primaries
THE petition that he signs merely sets
forth that at the time of signing 1t II
is the voters intention to support MN
at the primaries, but there is no law
on earth that can prevent a man from
changing his mind, or from altering ms
Intention, or that can compel him to
vote for any one man. or any set or
men. at any election; and this is not
the letter nor the spirit of the direct
primary law in this state.
"Mr. Mcdonald, we are certain, mas
induced hundreds of men in the Th1rty-
| eighth district TO sigh Hl9 PoNi' - -
have regretted it since. when they
| found that he is not recognized as a
| Democrat, nor as a Democratic candl-
| date and these men undoubtedly VIII
vote for Mr.. Bekins at the primary
and general elections. for they know,
or ought to know, that they are under
no obligation to Mcdonald and are at
perfect liberty to repudiate him. 9th
erwise the direct primary law would
he the most miserable fiasco ever per-
netrated on the public"