The vicious way Al Ferraro was slapped down is an indication of how the Republican Establishment in Jacksonville plays ball. One strike, you’re out.

Ferraro, a former councilman, was appointed by Mayor Donna Deegan to be one of his administrators, an encouraging sign of bipartisanship.

But it was Republicans who derailed the appointment and the reason was that Ferraro had dared to oppose the Establishment’s choice for mayor, Republican Daniel Davis.

Davis, whose campaign was run by the acknowledged master of dirty tricks, Tim Baker, prevailed over other Republicans but was trounced by Democrat Deegan.

The likely reason Davis lost was that many Republicans were soured over the primary and stayed home in the general election.

Typical of the tactics used was a charge that Ferraro voted to spend billions of dollars. Left unsaid was that he voted to pass the city budget, along with the vast majority of other council members from both parties. That is skullduggery of the highest order.

Ferraro found out that he did not have enough votes to be confirmed and his nomination was withdrawn.

There are nine members of the council now who have been backed by the Establishment. Ten votes constitute a majority on the council.

Another Establishment target is Republican Randy DeFoor, who was an outstanding member of the City Council and who was nominated by Deegan to be general counsel – the city’s top lawyer.

There are forces working against her. Fortunately, they can’t find a valid reason to oppose her and she is likely to be approved. The weak complaint substituting for a reason is that she might lobby as general counsel, which is absurd. But the notion has been sent to the Ethics Commission for a ruling – not once but twice.

For the Establishment to oppose DeFoor is understandable. She is an independent thinker and can’t be relied upon to do the Establishment’s bidding.

Crushing Ferraro, however, was nothing but vengeance. He was never a threat to them and would not have been in the relatively minor position of head of neighborhoods.

This power-hungry bunch is one that will brook no dissent and aims to win at all costs. Conservative Republicans who still believe in making room for dissent will have to battle Democrats with one hand and the Establishment with the other.