Los Angeles herald., 1910-07-23
BOURBONS WATCH
c. 0. P. STRUGGLE
Democrats Take Political Vaca-
ton While Republicans War
Among Selves for SpoilS
FEEL SURE OF CLEAN TICKET
DiSgruntIed Machine Men Break
Over Traces and Cause
Worry to S. P.
FEEL SURE OF CLEAN TICKET
BA T. SHELLEY SUTTON

win only one contest IN Slgnt, IN
volving candidates for state office,
the Democratic campaign which is
now well begun, may be said to be
unparalleled in the history Of the
party in this state.
While the Republicans are divided
at every turn, bitterly attacking each
other in the mad struggle for power
and the spoils of office, the Bourbons
are enjoying a political vacation, as
sured of the nomination of clean
ticket, well financed by popular sub
scription, and in a position to learn
many lessons for their future benefit
from the mistakes and contests in
the Republican camp, which the 6. o.
p. men declare are due to the new
direct primary law, but which the
Democrats affirm are the fruits of
their past folly
Most of the present "hard luck' of
the Republicans is attributable to the
haunting political specters of their S.
p. alliance. They realize the people
are determined that the Southern Pa
cfic shall not control the administra-
tive and political affairs of California,
and, accordingly, have made des-
perate effort all over the state to put
up clean anti-machine candidates.
But Republican office holders and the
men who in the past served the ma
chine faithfully and energetically, have
refused to be relegated, and are bob
bing up in every town and district de-
manding recognition, and making dire
threats of retaliation, which in many
instances they may be prepared to ac-
complish, if not supported by the
push"
In Los Angeles we have several ex-
amples of this prevalent condition with
which the g. o. p. is now struggling.
Among the old-time machine men who
have thrust themselves into the fight,
against the wishes of the Parker Her
rim combine, are such candidates as
II. S. G.. Mccartney, George Sanders,
Walter Leeds Jake Transue, Phil
aspiring for everything from the state
assembly to United States senator
ship.
In San Francisco as in Los Angeles,
the Democrats are virtually "at peace
with their principles" One or two un-
important contests are on in the Bour-
bon camp there, but none is serious.
Here in Los Angeles the Democrats
have only one pretender to defeat and
they have taken such quick and decid-
ed action to prevent his nomination
that there can be little question of the
outcome. This pretender of course,
is Henry Mcdonald, who attempted
to steal the nomination for the state
senate in the Thirty eighth district
His effort to buy up all the signatures
in that district to prevent Martin
Bekins, the regular Democratic can
dldate, from filing his nomination
papers, and his persistence in declar-
ing himself a Democrat, despite the
fact that he has been virtually re-
pudiated by all of the Democratic or
ganizations in Los Angeles, should
insure his defeat, and the Democrats
are not worried over this so-called
contest"
According to pioneer Democrats, the
Bourbon ticket this year is the clean
est and best ever presented to the
voters of the state or county, and the
entire absence of machine control or
push" methods, from the councils and
conferences of the Democrats through
out the state, in the present campaign,
is without precedent in the annals of
the California Democracy. The alb
sence, also, of all the old-tine machine
leaders. or Southern Pacific bosses,
from the various committees and con-
ferences has been a matter of public
comment, and has done a great deal
to strengthen and increase the Demo-
cratic chances for victory.
The old days of the push" Democ-
racy are passed. While the Demo-
Gratis are not waging any spectacular
battle before the primaries, for the
reason that they have most thor
ough and harmonious working or
ganization free of dissension or con-
test, they enjoy, in a large measure,
the fight that has been going on in
the ranks of the Republican party.
And, in watching the progress of the
commendable campaign which has
been waged by Hiram w. Johnson, the
Lincoln Roosevelt league candidate
for governor, they are asking them
selves, throughout the state, a SEEM
ingly important question: question
which to the Democrats, at least, is
of paramount interest, for If its an
swer is Eyes" the Democratic leaders
are confident Theodore A. Bell will be
the next governor of California. The
question is: Will Hiram Johnson ride
to the nomination on the horse which
carried Bell through his last cam
paign? In other words: Will Johnson
be nominated as result Of his stren-
uous fight against the Southern Pa
cific, which fight was begun and made
an issue of by Theodore Bell four
years ago?
Democrats believe this issue will
carry him to victory at the primaries.
This hope verified, it has been COM
monty understood that Bell will step
into the arena and resume his mem
orable battle against the S. p, as
Hiram Johnson is doing, and that,