Imperial Valley press., 1914-10-20
George A. Knight Out
For Governor Johnson

San Francisco, Oct. 20.-George A,
Knight of San Francisco, for score
of wears one of the pivots of the
Republican party and political figure
whose staunch Republicanism has been
conspicuous and steadfast. has broken
lover the traces of partisanship to
support the reelection of Governor
Hiram W. Johnson.
The announcement of Knight to-
day that he will vote for Governor
johnson caused great stir in the
political world. 1t is regarded as
one Cf the significant events of tha
campaign and severe blow to the
Republicans who are seeking to elect
their candidate on the cry of party
loyalty.
For twelve years, under Mckinley,
Roosevelt and Taft, Knight was Re-
publican national committeeman for
California. In three national Re-
publican conventions he has been a
| leader. In 1900 he seconded the NOM
ination of Mckinley; in 1904 he did
the same for Roosevelt, and in 1908
for Taft.
Since he was 21 years old Knight
| has voted the straight Republican
ticket. But his belief in Governor
Johnson is sufficiently strong to draw
him this year away from party regu-
larity.
"In the early days of the Republican
party great problems were fought and
won, loyalty to standard bearers and
principles was absolutely necessary
for the common good" said Knight in
formal statement which he issued.
about all of the vital issues for
which the Republican party fought can
be found incorporated in law-and
with these conditions existing we find
loosening of iron-bound and blind
fealty to party organization that was
demanded before the victories were
won.
president Wilson is no longer i
partisan, and among his close ad-
visors and friends are Republicans of
national repute. With this spirit and
atmosphere upstairs-it is natural
that such influence should creep into
the ;everal states-and it has.
1--WE are forgetting party lines
-somewhat-when we find men who are
able. courageous and aggressive, and
do things without the straight jacket
of party restraint-and it is good that
this is true.
"But this Independent individual ac.
tion on the part of the voter brings
alarm to the men who live upon the
Whispered influence they are supposed
ito have with the elected straight
ticket nominee.
This kind of a political toreador we
have had in both the old parties. He
seeks closeness to United States Sen
ators, judges of state and federal
courts, and tries to have his indorse-
ments for appointive offices necessary
for the applicants success-and afte.'
it is over to live fattened and grow
rich upon the spoils. He is middle
man for himself.
"The slogan today in California for
Republicans to support their ticket
has 10 longer the patriotic tone that
came from the trumped-voiced and
magnetic Blaine-and dear Mckinley.
"No novice handled the fight north
of the Tehachapi in the primaries. He
was man of experience and cunning
with the golden sinews of
war. Shortridge, Ralston, Keesling
and Belshaw fell before the faithful
workers, and are asked to believe that
the Republican party's will was done.
"The election has accomplished moth
ing more than the elevation to nom
ination of men who before election
lad !. gentlemen's agreement that all
patronage and power would be put in
the hands of one.
81 have registered as Republican
and could not and would not blot one
page of its historic past. ] have a
reverence for the deeds done and the
history of the party in which | have
been a willing worker without pay
for many years.
"Brt a new day has come when
the true American believes in cutting
out some of the evils that have been
the comrades to our best endeavors.
Individuality of men now counts
for much--men like Roosevelt, Borah
and Johnson, with their aggressive
force and acknowledged ability to