anaheim-gazette 1908-05-21

WHAT'S DOING IN POLITICS Have Traitors Crept Into the Delegation to the Senatorial District Convention? Humor In Riverside County Relative To The Anti-Estudillo Instructions Next to the persistent report that two traitors have crept into the delegation from Orange county to the senatorial convention, the most striking bit of local politics this week is the apparent humor with which the anti-Estudillo instructions have been received at River-side. Not that they are a laughing matter to Estudillo; on the contrary, quite the reverse. But the Estudillo people are giving out the statement that the anti-Estudillo instructions passed by the Orange county republican convention were "prompted by the railroad," and that therefore Estudillo is an anti-railroad man. Those Riversiders are men of infinite wit, most excellent fancy. Tell them that Estudillo dodged a vote on the Reciprocal Demurrage bill, and they solemnly aver he voted for the anti-prize fight bill; accuse him of treachery to the people's rights in voting for the capital removal bill, and they tell you he voted for anti-race track gambling; tell them he showed his subserviency to the Southern Pacific in the Owens valley railroad franchise bill, and they from those iron clad resolutions vote for Estudillo; and it is esting and significant fact men [two members of the county delegation] suggest open to suspicion on that supporters of the railroad. It is true, moreover, that and anti-railroad lines were sharply drawn in the organ the convention as might be. It was rather a fight between Lincoln-Roosevelt club pee the republicans who are not ed with that organization. A number of anti-machine ree in the county have not with that organization, andjected to being classed with road "push" simply because not accepted the leadersh new league. The chairman convention, R. Y. William to be an anti-railroad man can be said to his credit in connection, that he has always warm supporter of Con Smith. There was also a fight Santa Ana and the county convention. The Lincoln-people carried the city; and measure the country delegation rallied against them by the city was trying to runvention and dictate the pthe county. So far as Estudillo is cohethe opposition to him was Lincoln-Roosevelt ant workers, but for various there seems to be a tremen on the Reciprocál Demurrage bill, and they solemnly aver he voted for the anti-prize fight bill; accuse him of treachery to the people's rights in voting for the capital removal bill, and they tell you he voted for antirace track gambling; tell them he showed his subserviency to the Southern Pacific in the Owens valley railroad franchise bill, and they throw up their hands in holy horror and proclaim that he voted for the pure-food law! Now they are saying that the antiEstudillo instructions were passed by the "railroad push" in Orange county. True, there were railroad snipe-shooters in the convention who did not open their mouths in objection to these anti-Estudillo instructions; but the reason for that was they had been given to understand they must take a back seat in politics hereafter, and moreover that anything they favored would be killed outright by the convention. Perhaps Estudillo considers he can "win out" by this finessing; but we fear he is going to "lose out" instead. This talk about traitors in the delegation is quite another matter. We believe as we did last week that the statement is untrue; yet we have no doubt the Espee will do all in its power to seduce delegates away from the path of rectitude. It is difficult to understand how a delegate can so far forget himself as to sacrifice himself to the railroad for a few paltry dollars, knowing full well the stain upon his political honor will follow him to the grave and blight the honor of his children after he is dead. Nor is it all sentiment in this proposition; the traitors (if such there be) will be made to feel the lash of public contempt in more ways than one; let him have no fear about that. Yet we say again, we do not believe there exists such upon the delegation. The defeat of Gen. H. G. delegate-at-large to the renational convention, at theremo convention on T comes as an act of retributioto a man who, once rising Sycamore above the banences of the railroad, sollou out to Herrin at last, body, breeches. The Los Angels which has been accepted licans of the state as their mentor for a score of years gone over to the enemy a longer free from the taint rinism. We have looked vain for a year for some woo test against the infamies of rin machine, but it has sto dumb. The clarion tones o eagle of the past, when thie fight was on against San Pbor, have faded to the gasps of the bird of carrion atop the rotten promise railroad's assistance in weening ambition to str Chicago as a delegate at la California. When Gen. Stone's sta committee promulgated ious unofficial primary, tha was silent. It turned traite record of the past, when state press in its assaults ring. So far from criticising famies of the machine du past year, the Times has blight the honor of his children after he is dead. Nor is it all sentiment in this proposition; the traitors (if such there be) will be made to feel the lash of public contempt in more ways than one; let him have no fear about that. Yet we say again, we do not believe there exists such upon the delegation. The Press of Riverside, discussing these matters, pertinently says: The report in this morning's Enterprise of the Orange county republican convention, is misleading and unfair, as far as it relates to the anti-Estudillo resolution. The Enterprise seeks to convey the impression that the resolution was fathered by the "organization" people. The reverse is true. The resolution was presented by the committee on resolutions, on which there were no Lincoln-Roosevelt league delegates, and was turned down by the committee. It was then introduced on the floor of the convention by E. E. Keech, one of the leaders in the Lincoln-Roosevelt movement, and was accepted by the "organization" people because they recognized that the sentiment of the convention was so strong in favor of it that it would be unwise to fight it. Not a man rose to speak in opposition to it or in defense of Estudillo, and only a handful of votes was recorded against it. There was talk in Santa Ana after the convention adjourned, that possibly two or three of the senatorial delegates might "break away" even These iron clad resolutions and Estudillo; and it is an intermediate significant fact that the members of the Orange Delegation] suggested as suspicion on that score, are members of the railroad machine. Due, moreover, that railroad railroad lines were not so drawn in the organization of mention as might be inferred. Rather a fight between the Roosevelt club people and politicians who are not affiliated with organization. A goodly of anti-machine republicans county have not affiliated with organization, and they obbeing classed with the rail-railh" simply because they had voted the leadership of the state. The chairman of the union, R. Y. Williams, claims anti-railroad man; and it paid to his credit in this conthat he has always been a supporter of Congressman. It was also a fight between Obama and the country in the union. The Lincoln-Roosevelt carried the city; and in large the country delegates were against them by the cry that was trying to run the condictate the politics of city. As Estudillo is concerned, position to him was led by the Roosevelt anti-machine but for various reasons to be a tremendous op- Times of other days to the servile railroad tool of today. Let republicans throughout California remember these figures: 275 to 351. That was the test vote in the state convention between the clean men of the party and the railroad for control of the convention. With all of Herrin's appointed delegates, the clean, unbought men of the party made such a showing that it amounts practically to the overthrow of Herrin. The Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego conventions were spiked, and delegates were not regularly chosen in either of these conventions. In San Diego no primaries were held in the county precincts, and San Bernardino's delegation to the state convention were appointed, not elected, by the convention. These delegates alone were nearly sufficient in number to give Herrin the convention; but similar practices were carried on in many other counties of the state. It was nothing short of highway robbery, and the fact that Herrin had to resort to such practices is evidence sure as proof of holy writ that the railroad boss was hard pushed by the unpurchased men of the party. Moreover, after appointing a sufficient number of delegates to give him control of the convention, the vote stood 275 clean, unbought republicans to 351 railroaders. Let the clean men of the party remember these figures; and let them buckle on their armor for the August primaries. Up, men, and at them again! The naming of a law in Orange county delegates seems to us, be rather of proceeding, might set precedent. The contest in special convention must, in the nature of things, be short and decisive. If Riverside won ballot for Estudillo, Orange will probably present a bill its own. And it will not too. The politics of the so-called primary," invented by the Herrin machine sideshow, was in the best secure, although people who the source may have sued some petty trick lay co-developments since the period that suspicion to have been ed. The object was to seize structured delegation from that could be handled at Harriman in the nation. An identical trick was placed where Harriman influence. Few voters paid any attention "unofficial primary," condoned by law by members of pointed by the state centre under the orders of Herrin sideshow had no connection legal primary to elect one was held—where it was held the sidewalks, by men who make any sort of return their employers. The nomination of the so-called primary was preferences for presidential As the party in California unanimous for Taft not hundred took pains to call and superfluous ballot. Of precincts no such primary as Estudillo is concerned, position to him was led by the Roosevelt anti-machine but for various reasons seems to be a tremendous op-portunity to him among all factions events of the party there, and therefore easy to secure in-versus against him. feat of Gen. H. G. Otis as seat-large to the republican convention, at the Sacra-convention on Thursday, an act of retributive justice who, once rising like a tall tree above the baneful influence of the railroad, sold himself Herrin at last, body, soul and The Los Angeles Times, has been accepted by repub-licate state as their political favor a score of years past, has arrear to the enemy and is no free from the taint of Her-We have looked to it in a year for some word of pro-oust the infamies of the Her-ine, but it has stood silent. The clarion tones of the war the past, when the railroad on against San Pedro har-ride faded to the croaking bird of carrion, perched rotten promises of the assistance in his over-ambition to strut on to as a delegate at large from Gen. Stone's state central office promulgated its infam-official primary, the Times. It turned traitor to itself the past, when it led the mass in its assaults upon the far from criticising the in-ff the machine during the war, the Times has actually questioned the acts of polit-boss was hard pushed by the unpurchased men of the party. Moreover, after appointing a sufficient number of delegates to give him control of the convention, the vote stood 275 clean, unbought republicans to 351 railroaders. Let the clean men of the party remember these figures; and let them buckle on their armor for the August primaries. Up, men, and at them again! Doc McMullan of Orange has been appointed a member of the new state central committee. The Doc has been regarded as leaning to the railroad in the past, and will probably line up with the push when the people are not looking. But the party will do well to keep its eye on the doc. He has a lively sense of political favors to come, and is credited with having aspirations to be sheriff. Some weeks ago he appointed himself county school superintendent when Carpenter resigned, but he heard the roar and ducked. The doc will have to be good in the political snowstorm which is pelting about Herrin. He must either come out and be for the people, or he will be regarded, and justly so, as a railroader. He cannot serve two masters. Under which flag, Bezonium? 275 to 351! Is there a God in Israel? The Orange Post prints an interesting sketch of political affairs in the Thirty-ninth district since the organization of Orange county in 1889, and continues: "If instructions ever were justifiable, they certainly were on the part of Orange county in this crisis, as may be seen from the following circumstances: 'Riverside county, which under ordinary conditions would be entitled to name the candidate for state senator this year, has become embroiled in a bitter fight over candidates. Proof has been shown that the candidate with the strongest support is not free legal primary to elect one was held—where it was held the sidewalks, by men who make any sort of return their employers. The norm of the so called primary w preferences for presidential As the party in California unanimous for Taft not hundred took pains to co and superfluous ballot. Of precincts no such prim- and no returns have been show the vote anywhere this being a purely extraducted by a discredited can make the returns a please. It is learned indirectly the Chronicle and Oakland both organs of the Her-that the result was too preference of California for Roosevelt as the candident. The further pur-trick is thus explained by The republican electorate the state having at the mary declared Theodore their choice for president next four years the Californi- to the national convention bly be pledged by the state to vote for Roosevelt. The people at the direct primai ed as an unqualified in Roosevelt with Taft for s The outlook is for the fate of the league being led at Sacramento. As Roosevelt is not a effect of such instruction leave the delegates free to own bent. If the "organ-ceeds in electing any part gation it could be handled by Harriman in the same he proposes to use the Utah delegations. The plan is not especial but, in the opinion of th characteristically dirty. played on the republican california with intent to rot voice in the government It is entirely of a piece pointment of delegates by in a majority of the coun chising republican voters. It is small business, p serves to illustrate the "methods. The Herrin m hope to win only by c every precinct, outside o Gen. Stone's state central promulgated its infamofficial primary, the Times it. It turned traitor to its of the past, when it led the pass in its assaults upon the far from criticising the inflict of the machine during the war, the Times has actually joy at the acts of politiny perpetrated by Herrin. The rape of the Third condistrict convention, was a "great victory for the or the "old guard," or ing of the sort. It was of the kind. The clean ans of the Third district majority of the delegates convention, but Herrin's apport of 24 delegates, who votthe elected railroad deletrolled the convention, and mostly chosen delegates went defeat. The Times' campaign of subto the railroad, Gen. Otis raised a place as one of the delegates at large to the republational convention. He was He has forfeited the rehe Republicans of the state, turned against him. Did real "stand fast" in the recent of the railroad against poldom; did he "stand sure" the many infamies of the during the past year? Rejection by the state conlet him commune with his alone, comparing the "If instructions ever were justifiable, they certainly were on the part of Orange county in this crisis, as may be seen from the following circumstances: Riverside county, which under ordinary conditions would be entitled to name the candidate for state senator this year, has become embroiled in a bitter fight over candidates. Proof has been shown that the candidate with the strongest support is not free from corporate influences, for testimony, like that of A. M. Drew of Fresno, and other associates of Estudillo in the assembly cannot be ignored. In order to carry their point Estudillo's supporters invoked the unit rule, which not only disfranchises the minority but counts the votes of such minority in favor of a candidate it would not otherwise support. In fact, these leaders seem to have resented the intimation that Orange county might have something to say against accepting an objectionable candidate. Later, when this county, wearied with their bickering, virtually said, 'a plague o' both your houses,' we'll have neither candidate offered" they in effect retorted: 'Oh, but you'll have to!' And that, too, to a county which is equally interested in the candidate and has thirteen votes in the convention to protect its interests as against their ten! * * * Taking it for granted that the Riverside county delegates will carry out their instructions, there is no other course left for Orange county but to go ahead and make the nomination alone—from Riverside county, if they can find a suitable man, and, if not, then one from Orange county; but he must be a clean, capable man. The responsibility is great; but Orange county expects every one of her delegates to do his duty." It is small business, preserves to illustrate the "methods. The Herrin may hope to win only by coevery precinct, outside c and stews, where they d lenge a vote they were their sneakthief tricks wi save them now. The "umary" was an instrument. Herrin could play any tunbut he cannot make the p his music—not this year. The Third Congressional convention was manipurailroad, by a vote of 44 mark you, the state centrals which is controlled by the pointed 24 of the 44 delegates not elected at primaries. The 31 clean republican convention were all elected held in the cities of Oakla and Vallejo, where the pro tion law is mandatory. He been held in Solano, Comthe other counties, where of its citizens was outre arbitrary appointment of the district and state co clean men of the party we edly have controlled them. As it was, of the delegation elected the Lincoln-Rooh had 31, the railroad 20. Its boots was the railroad marles. But adding the delegates, the railroad Herrin must resort to suce- The naming of a Riverside by Orange county delegates would, thus to us, be rather an unheard-preceding, might set a bad pretext. The contest in the senator-invention must, in the very na-ifs things, be short, sharp and severe. If Riverside votes on first for Estudillo, Orange county probably present a candidate of it. And it will nominate him, politics of the so called "unoff-primary," invented and conducted the Herrin machine as a sort of law, was in the beginning ob-silhough people who considered source may have suspected that petty trick lay concealed in it. Impressions since the primary prove suspicion to have been well found—the object was to secure an unind delegation from California should be handled and traded by man in the national convention. Antical trick was played in Utah, Harriman influence is dominant. Voters paid any attention to the social primary," conducted outside by members of the push, ap-ly by the state central committee the orders of Herrin. This queer now had no connection with the primary to elect delegates. It held—where it was held at all—on newwalks, by men who were free to any sort of return that pleased employers. The nominal purpose so called primary was to expressences for presidential candidates. A party in California is virtually nous for Taft not one voter in a red took pains to cast a useless perfluous ballot. In a majority districts no such primary was held, tices as these to carry a convention he must be hard pressed indeed. Yet that is the way in which he controlled the republican state convention—by appointing more than 300 delegates. It sounds shameful, does it not? How long will the republicans of the state tamely submit to this sort of political rape on the part of Mr. Herrin? Editor Clarke of the Riverside Press who has had much to say regarding the political situation in this senatorial district, sizes up the matter thus in a recent issue: "When the Orange county republican county convention adopted the resolution it did on the senatorial proposition, it said to the republicans of this county: 'You have had a bitter fight over the claims of two candidates; let us wipe them both off the slate. Give us a new man who can come to us without bitter opposition at home and we will stand with you and nominate him.' The answer of Riverside was to instruct its delegation for Estudillo, after Orange county had explicitly instructed its delegation to vote as a unit against him. That was virtually saying to the republicans of our neighboring county, who have an equal voice with us in the selection of senator and who will be represented by the man elected as much as Riverside will be: "You are opposed to Estudillo but you will have to take him or take no other man from this county.' Was that good politics? We do not think so, A 'still hunt' will now be made for two delegates in Orange county who will break away from the clear and specific instructions of their convention and vote for Estudillo. It may be possible that two men who would do that will be found on the delegation. But if Estudillo should be nominated in that way, there will be a storm of in- primary to elect delegates. It held—where it was held at all—on newwalks, by men who were free to many sort of return that pleased employers. The nominal purpose also called primary was to expressences for presidential candidates. The party in California is virtually famous for Taft not one voter in a red took pains to cast a useless superfluous ballot. In a majority district no such primary was held. Returns have been given out to the vote anywhere. Of course, being a purely extralegal primary voted by a discredited clique, they take the returns anything they like. It is learned indirectly, through Chronicle and Oakland Tribune, organs of the Herrin machine, the result was to declare theance of California republicans Roosevelt as the candidate for presidency. The further purpose of the vote thus explained by the Tribune: Republican electors throughout state having at the unofficial pridedeclared Theodore Roosevelt choice for president during the four years the California delegates national convention will probably be probedged by the state convention for Roosevelt. The vote of the state at the direct primary is regarded as an unqualified instruction for Roosevelt with Taft for second choice. Outlook is for the fake reformers league being led a merry dance dramafo. Roosevelt is not a candidate of such instructions would be to the delegates free to follow their intent. If the "organization" succeeds electing any part of the delegate it could be handled and traded Herriman in the same fashion that proposes to use the Nevada and delegations. Plan is not especially ingenious, but the opinion of the Call, it is teristically dirty. It is a trick on the republican voters of California with intent to rob them of any gain in the government of the party. Entirely of a piece with the ap-ment of delegates by the machine majority of the counties, disfranchising republican voters by thousands. A small business, perhaps, but it to illustrate the "organization" ends. The Herrin machinists can win only by chicanery. In precinct, outside of the slums The president's invitation to former Governor Pardee, requesting his participation in the national conference on the conservation of the national resources, is quite significant. It is proof that President Roosevelt recognizes the fact that the delegates to this conference selected by Governor Gillett do not represent the people of California and are really named as advocates of special interests whose design is not to conserve but rather to exploit for profit those natural resources of the state which this movement is intended to defend and preserve. As far as this conference is concerned with the conservation of water rights, the Call recognizes that some controversy exists between the states and the federal government as to the extent of the latter's powers. The position taken by the president in this controversy is thus defined: The issue between the congress and the president as to whether the United States shall exact a royalty or compensation for water rights along navigable streams has been sharply drawn. Each branch of the government seems determined to stand by the position it has taken. The president has served formal notice that he will sign no more bills "which do not provide specifically for the right to fix and make a charge and for a definite limitation in time of the rights conferred." The view of congress—at least the view reflected by the committees to which water rights bills are referred—is that the government has no right to require compensation for the use of water in navigable streams for purposes other than navigation. In the last analysis the question is: "Is the use of water in a navigable stream a matter of state regulation and state control or of federal regulation and federal control?" This phase of the controversy does not touch those water resources existing in on the republican voters of California with intent to rob them of any in the government of the party. entirely of a piece with the apment of delegates by the machine majority of the counties, disfranging republican voters by thousands. small business, perhaps, but it to illustrate the "organization" bands. The Herrin machinists can win only by chicanery. In precinct, outside of the slums news, where they dared to chala vote they were beaten, and meekthief tricks will not avail to them now. The "unofficial privice" was an instrument on which could play any tune he wanted, cannot make the party dance to music—not this year. Third Congressional district distribution was manipulated by the had, by a vote of 44 to 31. But, you, the state central committee, is controlled by the railroad, apd 24 of the 44 delegates—they not elected at primary elections. clean republicans in the convention were all elected at primaries in the cities of Oakland, Berkeley Vallejo, where the primary election is mandatory. Had primaries held in Solano, Contra Costa and other counties, where the manhood of citizens was outraged by the primary appointment of delegates to district and state convention, the men of the party would undoubthave controlled the convention. was, of the delegates regularly and the Lincoln-Roosevelt league the railroad 20. Beaten out of shots was the railroad at the prisition. But adding the 24 appointed states, the railroad won. If must resort to such shady praccongress—at least the view reflected by the committees to which water rights bills are referred—is that the government has no right to require compensation for the use of water in navigable streams for purposes other than navigation. In the last analysis the question is: "Is the use of water in a navigable stream a matter of state regulation and state control or of federal regulation and federal control?" This phase of the controversy does not touch those water resources existing in the forest reserves where the federal government has not parted with its riparian rights, but does concern important rights on California streams tributary to navigable rivers. Doubtless the dispute will eventually be settled in the courts, but the great value of the movement initiated by the president lies in the awakening of public interest in these profitable resources and the realization that they are the common property of the whole people. The result must be that, whether title shall finally vest in the federal govern­ment or in the states, the claim of the commonwealth to compensation for the use of natural resources must be conceded. It is not expected that the conference in Washington will be an altogether harmonious body, but its proceedings will be followed closely by the people with a full understanding of motives and purposes. It is a matter for regret that the delegates sent on behalf of California do not represent the people of the state or the conservation of popular rights. Champion Cutting parts, also Deere and other mowers. Pacific Implement Co. Bring your mower in and let us fix it up. Pacific Implement Co.