anaheim-gazette 1909-01-14

WHAT'S DOING IN POLITICS PUSH POLITICIANS LINED UP AGAINST NEW PRIMARY LAW Racetrack Gamblers Will Concentrate Fight Against Racehorse Evils in Senate, where Leavitt Heads Committee on Public Morals—Perkins It is quite clear that the push politicians do not intend to submit to the people on the question of a direct primary without a struggle. They are not going to tempt fate by opposing legislation along the line proposed by the recently adopted constitutional amendment, but they do intend to prevent the passage of any measure that will be of any practical use to the people. A very simple way of effecting this will be to insert a clause in the direct primary bill providing for nominations by conventions in all cases of minority nominations. For instance, if there should be several candidates for the same office at a primary election, and none of the candidates shall receive a majority of all the votes cast, the choice of the party nominee would be left to the old delegate-to-convention system. Should that feature be incorporated as a part of the direct primary law, all that the push politicians would have to do would be to see that there were enough candidates for each important office to split up the vote, thus preventing a choice by the people and throwing the selection into a packed convention. A somewhat similar provision exists in Illinois and other machine-ridden states, but the percentage required of a candidate is usually put at about 35 or 40 per cent of the vote cast. It is proposed here to require a 49 per cent vote to nominate at the primary. Such a direct primary law would create a state of affairs worse than exists under the present direct convention system. It will be opposed bitterly by the Direct Primary league, whose bill, to be known offici- involve by far the most important problems with which California faces confronted. And yet, strange enough, Mr. Bristow declares that nia's two federal representatives the chief opponents to this proIt was Bristow who original question of water transportation way of Panama, and upon his intention and advice the government eventually established a line of boats on the Atlantic coast, cona line of boats on the Pacific as is done on the Atlantic sea this he was defeated by the railroad interests. The recent upheaval caused railroads arbitrarily raising rates 10 per cent has created an interest in the subject and it is being appealed to by the nia shippers to take up the cause when he enters into active life at Washington. "I consider Senator Bristowter of supreme importance," said Jacobs at Sacramento a day ago. "If Senators Perkins are can block legislation this sece see no reason why they can the same thing at the succeeding sions. Perkins has been re- and he will consider his elect endorsement of his official As he is now elected for six he is apt to be even less res- to popular protest than he had in the past. "However, Senator-elect appears to take a more hopeful of the situation and stated i letter that when he gets to Winton he will have a conference the independent element in c with a view to breaking do opposition. I have written pledging the earnest co-opera-the shippers of California." The San Francisco Globe appears to be an organ of "the ests," under the alias "the Publishing Company," makes A somewhat similar provision exists in Illinois and other machine-ridden states, but the percentage required of a candidate is usually put at about 35 or 40 per cent of the vote cast. It is proposed here to require a 49 per cent vote to nominate at the primary. Such a direct primary law would create a state of affairs worse than exists under the present direct convention system. It will be opposed bitterly by the Direct Primary league, whose bill, to be known officially as the "Wright bill," will provide for a straight plurality nomination. It is probable that Senator Wright will be made chairman of the senate committee on election laws, in which case the author of the bill will be in a position to keep close tab upon his measure. "The fight against the racetrack has shifted from the senate to the assembly," declared Earl Webb, president of the California anti-racetrack gambling league. "Unless the diabolical attempt to change the senate rules succeeds, Leavitt's brigade in the upper house is defeated. We have enough votes, and to spare, in that body, and only the rankest kind of treachery can prevent the bill's passage." With this assurance, the supporters of the anti-racetrack gambling bill are turning their attention to the assembly, where the gamblers are now working secretly to force certain of the country members into line. Despite the confidence expressed it is certain that the measure will not find easy sailing in the senate. Senator Leavitt is one of the boldest as well as one of the most cunning members in the legislature. He has lost his most important trick—that of choking bills to death in committee—but he has other cards that will be drawn out from time to time. The fight will not be decided until the roll has been called and the votes recorded. If all of the senators who have expressed their determination to support the bill will stand pat, racetrack gambling is doomed. But there is a suspicion abroad that they will not: Already, one or two are beginning to wobble under the pressure that is being brought to bear. Senator Bates of Alameda county, for instance, has been told that unless he "comes off his perch" and fights the anti-racetrack gambling bill certain measures will be introduced to cut calaries and otherwise injure the office of assessor of Alameda county. As Bates is connected with the San Francisco Globe, appears to be an organ of "the ests," under the alias "the Publishing Company," makes critical pretense in its editor of Monday that "honesty is the policy in the newspaper but, in the same issue, it shall pro-corporation and machine its news columns by slurring people. It says: "The Lincoln-Roosevelt league forward in a new role. It has lished what it calls 'the lobby,' with a full staff of detspies and press agents, under mand of William J. Burns, work in San Francisco has his name into special promos. The object of this lobby will keep tab on every legislator's capital, to report how he v certain bills, and to inform them if he is suspected of too many relations with any lobby which be retained here." The Globe and "the interest pear to think that it is an nence on the part of the pe California to maintain a bureau formation at Sacramento style." "people's lobby." The Globe, pers of its ilk, seem to see reprobate in the fact that "the ests" are represented by Jere George Hatton, Walter Parker "the interests" maintain a cation lobby. It is pertinent in this converses the Oakland Enquirerquire who the members of th literature are supposed to re Whether they represent H Harriman's man "Friday" in litics of California—chief councils Southern Pacific railroad company, which proposes to imp additional tax of ten million on 'the people of California'—vate service corporations which accused of attempts to bribe visors and debauched municipal government not only in San Fr but in other large cities of th or whether the legislature o formia represents the peo wealth-producers of this state. As an example of how repative government "represents, correspondent of another even per in San Francisco of th date says: port the bill will stand pat, racetrack gambling is doomed. But there is a suspicion abroad that they will not: Already, one or two are beginning to wobble under the pressure that is being brought to bear. Senator Bates of Alameda county, for instance, has been told that unless he "comes off his perch" and fights the anti-racetrack gambling bill certain measures will be introduced to cut calaries and otherwise injure the office of assessor of Alameda county. As Bates is connected with the assessor's office, this would probably be equivalent to his own decapitation. Senator Bates realizes that he is up against a hard proposition, but he declares that no sort of intimidation will affect him. There are other cases of coercion reported, and it is evident that the session is to be enlivened with some bitter personal controversies. Senators Perkins and Flint are said to be the principal obstacles to the establishment of a federal line of steamers on the Pacific coast to run between California ports and Panama. The authority for this statement is no less a person than United States Senator-elect Bristow of Kansas. In a letter just received by Isador Jacobi of the California traffic association, Mr. Bristow says: "I do not think that anything will be done during this term of congress along the line of the recommendation; of my report. "The trouble is that both senators from California are opposed to the recommendations I made." The report to which Bristow refers is his secret report to then Secretary of War Taft, under whose authority he was investigating the transportation problem. His recommendations, to which he alluded, were that a line of steamers be at once established on the Pacific coast. The report and recommendations year the most important problem which California today is And yet, strangely enBristow declares Califorfederal representatives are opponents to this problem. Bristow who originated the water transportation, by Rama, and upon his suggestvice the government evestablished a line of steamAtlantic coast, connecting government railroad line Isthmus. Ambition was to complete of transportation facilities the Atlantic and Pacific leaving the government run boats on the Pacific just on the Atlantic side. In defeated by the allied peressts. But upheaval caused by the corbitrarily raising freight cent has created renewed subject and Bristow appealed to by the Califorsus to take up the fight contents into active official Washington. Her Senator Bristow's letme importance," said Mr. Sacramento a day or two senators Perkins and Flint legislation this session. I son why they cannot do ing at the succeeding seskins has been re-elected, consider his election an out of his official action. Bristow elected for six years, to be even less responsive. Protest than he has been Senator-elect Bristow take a more hopeful view station and stated in his when he gets to Washington have a conference with student element in congress now to breaking down the I have written to him, the earnest co-operation of of California." Francisco Globe, which be an organ of "the interthe alias "the Ocean Company," makes a hypotheir right; and they propose to hold their representatives responsible and to determine whether members of the legislature represent the people or the private interests. That is the purpose of the people's bureau of information and this purpose is not disguised. In fact the people's information bureau has served notice on the members of the legislature that a record of their acts is to be kept and sent out to all the papers in the state, all libraries, all civic bodies, municipal trustees and county supervisors. If money is passed on some crooked measure, it will be the aim of the people's representative bureau to get the evidence. The subsidized press appears to be much concerned because of the presence of Detective William J. Burns in Sacramento. Mr. Burns has become a terror to evil doers and if there is any bribe giving and Corruption in Sacramento, William J. Burns will be apt to be on the trail of the grafters and bribers. The men back of the people's bureau of information make no secret of the fact that they "propose to pursue bribe makers and bribe receivers," that they propose to scrutinize every bill presented and determine whether it is in the interests of the people, or of the corporations, and that they propose to make public a record of every legislator on every measure, whether he is acting in the interests of the people or of the corporations. Such an institution as a people's bureau of information is expected to have a marvelous deterent effect upon corruptionists and corporation agents at the state capital. Governor Gillett can do something for the advantage of California if he will take the supervision of the Sequoia forest in the big basin out of politics. The scandalous mismanagement and apparent graft connected with the supervision of this valuable state property were exposed a year ago, but so far as the public knows nothing was done to bring about a change of conditions. The noise made by that scandal having been forgotten we are now informed that the state forges may consider the protests made by the advances in freight rails early a day as possible; and congress to give consideration to the report of Joseph Briticial Panama railroad company recommending the establishment a steamship line at once. Lution also denounces "the ment made by the Pacific Mship company with the trenal lines whereby they may solicited any of this through and asks for increased power interstate commerce comm. The resolutions declare thercent advance in freight rates California points and the c"place a burden upon many merchants and producers to pay $10,000,000 a year." The present session of therature will no doubt be largened with the regulation roads, and its course in therwill be closely watched. Proposed, among other things, are powers and duties of railroad commission and some action on these lines had even although the great citizens do not place much on this commission, mankind has usually been, by them, of the Southern Pacific portauu. Nevertheless she has in past neglected to give effect to the purpursims of the state constitution this regard, and Attorney Webb has given a great duly to legislation designed executive force to the conventions which lay down for the regulation and supra-railroads. It is quite posed a direct primary may yet people a commission not by corporation influences. Actment of legislation adds powers of the commission may not bring results duri-cumency of the present be assume that the existing pvitude must always continue despair of the republic. Doubtless one form of will appear in the guise o Francisco Globe, which is an organ of "the interim the alias "The Ocean Company," makes a hypotense in its editorial page that "honesty is the best the newspaper business," same issue, it shows its intention and machine bias in columns by slurring at the says: In-Roosevelt league comes a new role. It has established it calls 'the people's full staff of detectives, press agents, under com-William J. Burns, whose Francisco has brought into special prominence. Of this lobby will be to inform every legislator at the report how he voted on it, and to inform the public suspected of too intimate with any lobby which may here." He and "the interests" appeal that it is an impertinent part of the people who maintain a bureau of instit Sacramento styled the lobby." The Globe, and parikk, seem to see nothing in the fact that "the inter- represented by Jere Burke,inton, Walter Parker, that acts" maintain a corpora-tient in this connection Oakland Enquirer, to the members of the legislature supposed to represent they represent Herrin—man "Friday" in the po-lifornia—chief counsel of Penn Pacific railroad com-m proposes to impose an tax of ten million dollars on California—the pri- corporations which stand attempts to bribe super-debauched municipal gov't only in San Francisco, or large cities of the state, or the legislature of Cali-presents the people and officers of this state. Example of how representation "represents," the point of another evening pa-n Francisco of the same Governor Gillett can do something for the advantage of California if he will take the supervision of the Sequoia forest in the big basin out of politics. The scandalous mismanagement and apparent graft connected with the supervision of this valuable state property were exposed a year ago, but so far as the public knows nothing was done to bring about a change of conditions. The noise made by that scandal having been forgotten we are now informed that the state forester has consented to the cutting and removal of "not less than forty living redwood trees within the area of the park, some of which are not less than nine feet in diameter." It is added by way of extenuation that these trees have been stripped by fire, but it is a well known fact that the redwood is so hardy that it usually survives an experience of that kind. If the state forester is unable to keep fire out of the grove at least he should not be permitted to aggravate its ravages. At the present rate of devastation between fires and foresters there may be nothing left for the next generation but the bare land. The Sempervirens club has made representations to Governor Gillett on this subject, but so far as public information goes no official restraining action has been taken. The responsibility rests on the governor. Among the first measures to be introduced in the legislature will be the constitutional amendment providing for the separation of state and local taxation. Professor Plehn, who is the head of the taxation commission that drew up the amendment which was voted upon, and defeated at the last election, has been making a careful study of all the criticisms directed against the amendment, and his draft of the new amendment will make several radical changes. One of the fatal weaknesses in the amendment was its failure to provide for funds for the public schools. Covering this point, the new amendment will read: "Out of the revenue from the taxes provided for in this section, together with all other state revenues, there shall be first set apart the moneys to be applied by the state to the support of the public school system and the state university." Another objection to the old amendment was that any deficit in the state revenues would have to be made up by the public, there being no provision whereby the corporations could be held mutually responsible. The new amendment will meet this point by providing that: Doubtless one form of will appear in the gaise o-rocal demurrage bill design- pel railroads to furnish car- mand of shippers. Oregon a law and it works to the age of California shippers. come necessary here to add- lilar law as a measure of se- tion. The power to refuse cars w means of favoritism and o- tion. It is one of the few methods by which the equa- rebate can be granted. The letter written by Se-Bristow of Kansas to Isla- of San Francisco concerning stallation of a government steamships between Pacific ports and Panama appears opinion of the San Francis- call for explanations from Perkins and Senator Flint representatives of California senate are opposing this p Mr. Bristow asserts, they are some explanation to their ents. It is, perhaps, not surprise to find either of our aligned on that side, but it has been done them by Ms they can easily set themselves. The position attributed to very damaging, but their relaions do not make the chai- improbable. At the present moment it is especially serious, in vi- fact that the railroads are to exact oppressive freightly because they have succe- present in shutting off ous competition by the war. If California's two senators gaged in raising obstacles eject designed to free Calif- pers and producers from its attitude to the overland rail- is a matter of the highest to every citizen of the state besides exceedingly damage political reputations of Me- kins and Flint. It was intimated in tha press in the course of tha controversy over rates that Perkins, as a capitalist intra transportation by sea, mis pealed to for help in tha widding competition by water. Frank W. Leavitt of Alhambra holds the program privemeryville, and who has the fight the allied racing making against the meaetermined to win out and the race track issue his the correspondent declares organization," which largeots the Harriman machine, used with the primary bill by the league and will enmend the measure to conneir own direct primary the other important matters to come before the present and the people have a know how their representation on these measures. The right to know the na-ry legislative act present it contains any disguis- and the people have a maintain a bureau at Sacra-tapped to keep tab on their that the capital, and they right to hold that record member of the legislature he appeals to his constitu-election, and that is people of California evi-ose to do. may be regarded by the or- corporate interests of the cities of California. as an issue, but the people regard as their privilege, but as provided for in this section, together with all other state revenues, there shall be first set apart the moneys to be applied by the state to the support of the public school system and the state university." Another objection to the old amendment was that any deficit in the state revenues would have to be made up by the public, there being no provision whereby the corporations could be held mutually responsible. The new amendment will meet this point by providing that: "There may be levied, in the manner to be provided by law, an ad valorem tax, for state purposes, on all the property in the state, including the classes of property enumerated in this section, sufficient to meet the deficiency." A provision that vitally affects all counties is the one relating to the participation of the corporations in local bonded indebtedness. The old amendment exempted the corporations entirely, and this exemption was one of the strongest arguments used against the amendment. In case it had carried, the taxpayers would have had to dig down into their own pockets for the payment of the entire principal and interest on all future bonded indebtedness. This fact was pointed out to the people, and it was shown that, inasmuch as the corporations were participants in all the benefits that come from money expended for local improvements, they should help to pay for the same. The new draft does not go as far as it is insisted that it should, but it does provide that the corporations shall be responsible for their share of the local bonded indebtedness existing at the time that the new amendment shall be adopted. Senator Sanford (Dem.) has introduced a joint resolution, requesting the interstate commerce commission papers and producers from its attitude to the overland railroad is a matter of the highest to every citizen of the state besides exceedingly damaging political reputations of Mckins and Flint. It was intimated in the press in the course of this controversy over rates that Perkins, as a capitalist intre transportation by sea, might pealed to for help in the widing competition by water; rently if Mr. Bristow's information correct not much reliance on Senator Perkins in this But the suggestion opens which he could effectively self of the imputation. A special denial, issued from his headquarters, Sacramento, for little, in view of his present affiliations. The that Mr. Perkins will be using with his accustomed e-will not confine his effort manufacture of soft soap. be a magnificent spectacle ing all the elements of se see Senator Perkins stand-breach to defend the com- of California with his old against the hireling cohort Herrin and all his works are In default of action by w petition, the people of Cali demand a definite statement concerning a government steamships from their two If these two representat been finally acquired as p railroad baggage it is of t interest to their constitue the facts should be known. Why was not Assembly Beardslee re-elected spee-the Stockton Record. He ed speaker two years ago consent and the help of th Pacific railroad political bu After the protests made againstances in freight rates at as day as possible; and request to give consideration at once report of Joseph Bristow, speeches railroad commissioner, ending the establishment of ship line at once. The resolution denounces "the arrange-ble by the Pacific Mail steam company with the transcontinues whereby they never have many of this through business, nor for increased powers of the commerce commission. Present session of the legislature no doubt be largely con- with the regulation of railand its course in this regard closely watched. It is pro- moning other things, to increasers and duties of the state commission and undoubtedly action on these lines will be held although the great body of do not place much reliance on commission, manned, as it fully been, by the nominees Southern Pacific political bu- nevertheless the legislature the past neglected its duty effect to the purposes and of the state constitution in regard, and Attorney General has given a great deal of stu- regislation designed to give the force to the constitutional laws which lay down a scheme regulation and supervision of it. It is quite possible that the primary may yet give the commission not controlled operation influences. The end-of legislation adding to the of the commission may or may bring results during the in- way of the present body, but to that the existing political seri- must always continue is to of the republic. Press one form of legislation near in the guise of a recip- urality bill designed to com- is no secret. Speaker Beardslee did nothing to offend the "organization" either then or since. He was faithful to the trust reposed in him by the "machine." He was well liked by his fellow assemblymen. Insofar as the "interests" that controlled the legislature were concerned, he was a good presiding officer. Mr. Beardslee was a candidate for the speaker-ship this term. Why was he turned down? Why did not he make a fight for the place? Why did he not place his name before the caucus of the republican assemblymen? At the last session of the legislature the "machine" had everything its own way. There were not enough legislators outside the "ring" to make a decent protest. The "machine" did not require a driver; just a herder, in the speaker's chair. This term things are different. The allied strength of the republican insurgents and the democrats nearly equals the strength of the organization men. The forces are not so unevenly balanced as they were two years ago at Sacramento. The "machine" is still in power. It has well trained leaders and faithful wheelers; but it will require careful driving if the coach of the "allied interests" is to be brought through without a spill. A speaker is required this term who can hold a tight rein on the insurgents, and who can "throw the lash" instead of merely "crack the whip." That is the answer to the question. Assemblyman Beardslee is too faithful an organization man to complain. It is up to him to lie down, and he does it. But the machine is not going to overlook Beardslee. It can't afford to. He has rendered faithful service, and unless rewarded, there would be no object lesson for other young men to serve the "machine." So, sooner or later, there isn't any question that a snug job will be provided for the San Joaquin young man. 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