hubert howe bancroft - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History ...

WIRE-PULLING SYSTEM. 303
more strictly loyal men, had never as much comparative
strength in California as in the older states, but
its existence was an important factor, and one which
had to be considered in electing state officers; all the
more, too, that the following year would bring on another
presidential campaign, with its momentous issues.
Sargent, who had been disappointed in being beaten
for senator, wished to be made governor, and had no
rival this time in Phelps, who did not want the office.
There would have been no difficulty with the people
in either of these cases, but Senator Conness, following
the traditions of the democratic party, to which
he belonged, took the management of the union nominating
convention in his hands, and made up the
state ticket, with the help of those he was able to
reward.
The system always obtaining in the state, of primary
elections, made it possible for an active politician, by
the use of money and by voting the same men several
times over, to secure any nomination he chose. The
primaries, conducted in this manner, determined
who should be brought forward in county conventions,
and informed the wire-pullers of the number of votes
that could be depended upon in the state convention.
Our formulas of government are by no means perfect.
The same system prevails to-day, and an honest election
is an impossibility, candidates being placed before
the people for whom the political " bosses" alone are
responsible, and in whom the people take little interest.
Hence it is that the best citizens stay away from
the polls, except in some great crisis.
Senator Conness performed the duties of " boss " in
1863, making up his slate unalterably, and having his
candidates elected. They were F. F. Low, late
United States collector at San Francisco, for governor;
T. N. Machin, of Tuolumne, for lieutenantgovernor;
B. B. Redding, of Sacramento, secretary
of state; Romaldo Pacheco, of San Luis Obispo,
state treasurer; George Oulton, of Siskiyou, state