The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 5, 1895, Page 1

VOLUME LXXVII / SAN FRANCISCC TUESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 5, 1895. THEFORMAL CONVENT! ONWORK WELL BEGUN Earnest Mass - Meeting at the Chamber of Com- merce. COMMITTEES DECIDED ON | The Interior Cities to Be Recog- nized in the Organi- zat SENATOR WILLIAMS PRESIDES. He Will Select the Men to Do the | Heavy Work To-Day and To-Morrow. The fight for the convention has as- ed formal shape. n twenty-four hours an executive tee will be at work, and within ght hours all the machinery of or- ganizanon—finance committee, transpor- tation and committee of promotion—will have assumed their functions. all came out of the meeting at the amber of Commerce yesterday after- at which the merchants, Union gue and Hali-mitlion Club discassed the situation and named the steps to be taken. There was no nonsense about that meet- ing. It was determined that it was no time for spread-eagle oratory, and even parliamentary practice had to take a back seat occasionally in favor of expediency. They were business men who were there to attend to business of the utmost impor- tance. speech, and communications which did not refer to the business actually at hand were incontinently referred to committees in order that there might be no delay. Another peculiarity of the meeting was that it started promptly on time. The meeting was set for 3 o'clock, and at that | hour General Friedrich was in the chair. Among the gentlemen prominent atthe meeting were: M. M. Estee, 8. W. Backus, M. H. de Young, Alfred Bouvier, C. H. Friedlander, George H. Pippy, P. B. Cornwall, Oscar Tolle, A. H. Castle, J. M. Litchfield, John T. Dare, C. Mason Kinne, Senator A. P. Williams, George Spear, Dr. Lawler, M. Cooney, Clement Bennett, Hugo Keil, Cap- tain John Lafferty, H. P. Sonntag, Hugh Craig, J. L. Field, Charles Montgomery, A. Gy Booth, David Rich, E. Palmieri, H. A. lcCraney, A. 8. Baldwin, Wendell Easton, General R. H. Warfield, Colonel W. R. Smedberg and numerous others. Nearly all of these gentlemen have taken part in business of public importance and understood exactly what they were there for. Each one had his plans made up, but was willing to be convinced that some other citizen's views were better to accom- plish the object for which they all came. So it was that amendments were piled on amendments until everybody had his say, and then some broad-minded member would up with a substitute embracing the best features of all the plans proposed, and in the end these features were adopted. General Friedrich opened the meeting h a very short address: I have been requested to call this mass- g together,’” said he, “for the pur- pose of devising ways and means toward having the next Republican National Con- meet in San Francisco. I heartily atulate you that the present outlook so favorable, and, with a little concerted rt on our part, I believe that success will crown our efforts. This is a business ng composed of business men; no partisanship of any kind should be allowed to intrude itself, but we should, irrespec- tive of politics, unite in one endeavor to bring the conveation here. “The Union League Club, a couple of months ago, appointed a committee toward arranging for this convention. All of the National Committeemen have been written to by this committee, and almost eyery one of them has replied. It would appear, from their replies, that San Francisco is now within six votes of having a majority of the National Committee. That 1s cer- tainly encouraging and should inspire us all with enthusiasm. “The press of San Francisco, for once united and earnest, have already practic- ally solved the financial problem. As a re- sult of their generous efforts over one-half of the necessary funds has already been voluntarily subscribed, and without any other effort made with the people except to give them an opportunity to subscribe. The pressand the Union League Club have so far had control of the affair. The time has now arrived when no one club is cap- able of coping with the movement, and as a result the community have been called together to take charge, Hence this meet- ing. “gl have the honor of leaving the matter in your hands. The first in order is for you to nominate a chairman to preside over you. I, myself, decline to be a candi- date.” “Mr. Chairman,” said Colonel John F. Dare as he rose from the center of the reom, “I rise to place in nomination for permanent chairman of this meeting a man who has a national reputation; one who is known among the politicians all over the Union; a man who has represent- ed this State, in a Senatorial capacity, in the halls of the National Capitol. I place in nomination Colonel A. P. Williams.” The applause that greeted the mention of the gray-haired Senator's name was deafening, and before it had subsided the nominations were ordered closed and his selection made unanimous. Atalmost any other meeting the presen- tation of the chairman would have been a matter for oratory and argument. The re- tiring temporary chairman would have been sure to laud his successor to the skies under the cloak of introducing him, and the better he was known the more florid would have been the arguments and the longer the introductory speech. Think what an opportunity the intro- duction of Senator Williams was: “Our sterling citizen,” *‘Services to his country,” “Ever in the fore rank of movements that concern the public interest and pros- Nobody tried to make a long | |8 voice quivering with emotion and the good flow of rhetoric! But this was not ‘Ll)a: kind of a meeting. General Fried- rich put the chairman before the meeting | half a dozen words, and the chairman | smote his desk with the gavel and called | the meeting to order. | General Williams said: | “Mr. Chairman and feliow-citizens: I | thank you for this mark of esteem and will try to the best of my ability to assist in | I, like all of you present here | | this matter. to-day, feel a sense of pride in that I live in California and in San Francisco, but I | recognize and we want our friends in the East to recognize that this is a part of the United States and we desire recognition— we demand recognition, not as Republi- cans or Democrats, but as citizens of the United States. Up to this time our recog- nition has been pretty near nil. In future | we will demand more. | _“We want the people who come from the | East to realize that three-quarters of our | Nation is even west of Indiana, and nearly | half the population is in the West. | this once let us lay aside all our little | bickerings, all our little jealousies, and | work together to bring one and perhaps both National Conventions to San Fran- cisco. ‘At this time let me in all candor award the meed of praise to the pressof San Fran- | cisco for the interest and enthusiasm with which it has taken up this project. I tell | you when the press of this City and this State unite that they are invincible. Let | them get behind us or us behind them, as | the case may be, and we are bound to suc- | ceed. Itisnot necessary to tell you that | there would be no advertisement in the | world equal to that which California would receive by holding a National Con- l\'enliun in this City. | “The whole State is interested. It isnot San Francisco alone.” Then Chairman Williams had read a letter that roused the enthusiasm of the | meeting. It was as follows: | PALACE HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.,) November 4, 1895. § It would afford me great pleasure to -accept your cordial invitation to meet the representa- tive business men of this City at the Chamber next Republican National Convention in this City, but I am obliged to leave the City this afternoon, and 5o With great regret must forego the pleasure of being present. | IcametoCalifornia purely on apleasure t1ip | desiring to see something of thisgreat common- wealth. I have had a mostdelightful time and have received such kindness and hospitality from so many citizens that San Francisco wifl always have a warm place in my heart. You have's wonderful State and a sugerb Oity, and you cannot be 100 proud of either. San Francisco to me is an ideal place for holding a National Convention. You have so many advanteges over any other city. Your hotels, your beautiful parks, your aitractive surroundings, the hospitality of your people, all tend to make it a most attractive spot for & meeting of representative men from every sec- tion of our great land. I have never heard but one objection to San Francisco, and that was its distance, but it is no greater distance from the Pacific’ Coast to the East than from the East to the Pacific C: and the Pacific Coast has been for forty vears attending National conventions in the East. It is only fair that the East should come onceto the Pacific Coast. Iam very earnestly in favor of holding the convention here, because I believe it would be a great object lesson, teaching love of country and patriotism to the delegates of the East to make this trip across the continent and see whay & superp and vast country we possess, one having every climate and possessing every natural attraction that the world can offer, It is needless for me to_assure you that my vote on the committes will be cast from the first to the last in favor of your ecity, and I firmly believe if the Califoruians will ‘send a representative commitiee, making a business roposition to the National Committee, 1t will Do aocepted and the hext Repubiican Natior: Convention will be held hcre. 1 want to thank the citizens of San Francisco for their cordial and kindly attentions to me while in the City and to assure them of my great admiration of their public spirit, of their business enterprise, of their loyalty to their section and to their country, and I remain, with great consideration, your obedient ser. vant, J. H. MANLEY. ‘When the applavse had subsided H. p. Sonntag moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Manley, which was heartily given. Then John C. Currier, on Colonel Smedberg’s motion was chosen secretary. Mr. Tolle promptly nominated Wen- dell Easton as treasurer. Before the nom- ination could be seconded Aifred Bouvier was on his feet and started the first dis- cussion of the day. “It would possibly be better to pause 8 moment and find out what Mr. Easton would be treasurer of. Of course an objection to Mr. Easton was the furthest thing in the worid from my thoughts. We have not yet any funds in our control to call for a custodian. I have pe~ilv~what an elegant opportunity for | devoted considerable thought to the mat- For | of Commerce at their meeting this afternoon | to formulate plans in reference to holding the | ter, and my idea is that we should have a committee. Mr. Easton might then be chairman of a general committee. At present he counld be treasurer of nothing unless of our consciences. I move that the chairman appoint a committee of fif- teen—not a partisan committee, but one made up from the representative civic and commepcial bodies of the City, the various civic soeleties of S8an Francisco, the various exchanges, the Union League Club, the Cbamber of Commerce, the Half-million Club, etc. What we want is a representa- tive general convention committee. That committee will appoint a chairman, secre- tary and treasurer, and out of it shall be named sub-committees for its purposes— among them a committee to go to Wash- ington in December and to there appear | before the National Committee.” Just here M. H. de Young stepped for- ward with a paper in his hand. It proved to be a resolution embodying substantially what Mr. Bouvier had suggested. ““It is needless to repeat the old adage,” suggested Mr. Bouvier, “‘about great minds all running in the same channel,” and with this he accepted Mr. de Young's resolution. It was seconded, but not put for quite a time, because a number of other gentlemen had different views about the course to be purcned.. General Backus was the first on his feet. “I do not think,” said General Backus, ments, counter-amendments and sugges. tions, turned at last and made a bit of speech to bring his paper to the surface again. He said: ““We are met here to organize toward bringing the National Republican Conven- tion to San Francisco, end not to spread honorsaround promiscuously over the City. ‘We must organize and carry out our work. My list of fifteen is sufficient. If you in- crease it you will have a mob, and whoever heard of a mob accomplishing anything. If you have a committee of 100 you will never get a quorum once a month. It would take fifty-one to make a quorum of the large committee, and they would never come together once a year. Inaddi- tion to the fifteen I intend to suggest a committee of seventy-five to have charge of the transportation and the like. If you want a large body to distribute honors among you make out & promotion com- mittee, whose duties will not be very important.” A stalwart voice from the rear of the ball took . up the argument. It was Mr. Sullivan of Santa Cruz. ‘‘Santa Cruz,” he said, ‘“is the only place that has put its name down for money on your list outside of 8an Francisco. This convention is for California first and for San Francisco sec- ond. The committee should be large enough to take in members from the in- terior. You can always get a quorum. previous question, prefacing the call with suggestion that in addition to the gen- eral committee 2 committee of promotion consisting of 100 members from all over the State be appointed.” The chairman suggested that all the mo- tions be withdrawn, but nobody withdrew them. General Backus was the Moses that led them out of the wilderness. “It is not exactly parliamentary,” said Backus, ‘‘but here is an easy way out of it. Let us vote on the various motions, taking the smallest one first, and if that is not adopted we can go on voting on the larger number until we reach the view of a majority of the meeting.” General Backus’idea was enthusiastic- ally adopted. Mr. de Young’s resolution for a general committee consisting of fif- teen members was put and carried. That disposed of the whole matter. Then other committees were provided for. P.B.Cornwall came forward with a motion. ““I suggest,” said Mr. Cornwall, *‘that a committee of twenty be appointed by the chair, with power to increase the number to eighty if advisable. This committee can be made up in part of members in the interior, and may be charged with the collecting of funds and otherwise promot- ing the project.” “I move that the chair be instructed to appoint a committee of 100 on promotion diately a committee of five to be known as the committee of transportation. It shall be the duty of this committee to immediately com- municate with all transcontinental roads and secure from them definite and positive assur- ances as to the rate they will give for trans- | porting the National Committeemen, delegates and attaches of the Republican Convention of | 1896. This committee shall make its report as 500D &s possible to the executive committee. “Mr. de Young’s resolution provides for that,’”” said Mr. Bouvier. ““The gentleman is mistaken,”” retorted Mr. Pippy. “Icall for the reading of Mr. de Young’s resolution.” “Move we adjourn,” interjected Mr. Bouvier. ‘Do I hear a second?” asked the chair- man. “Is not Mr. Bouvier a little hasty?'’ in- terrupted General Friedrich. The motion to adjourn was allowed to go unnoticed until Mr. Pippy’sresolution had been put. It was carried, Mr. Bouvier bravely and sternly voting “no.” Then Mr. Bouvier’'s motion was taken up and the meeting was over. During the debate a number of com- munications had been passed up from the floor. These were not read because they were not considered pertinent to the issue immediately before the house. Among the communications is this one from I. 8. Friedlander: We can afford to pe severely practical in our CHRIRMAN ‘“SENeA R WikLiF (3 e o ~ DELRETARY SOME OF THE MEN WITH IDEAS WHO Ul \\’ fi fho SPOKE AT THE CONVENTION MEETING. ‘“‘that the namber named in Mr. deYoung’s resolution is enough. We should not limit ourselves to such a small list. In order to take in all the societies in San Francisco we should have a much larger committee. I move to amend the resolu- tion by increasing the number to twenty- five.” “I agree with the speaker and move to make the number fifty,” said George Pippy. “This will divide up the work. No small committee can attend to it properly.”’ *‘On the other hand, I think that fifteen | is too many, and I move to make it ten,” said David Rich. ‘It would appear to me, on reflection,” said General Friedrich, “that even fifty is not large enough. If this committee is to appoint all the sub ones, it ought to be composed of as many organizations as possible; localities outside of San Francisco should also be given recognition. I move | to amend the amendment by increasing the number on the committee to 100.” “I suggest that it be made seventy-five; fifty to be given to San Francisco and twenty-five to the interior towns,” Mr: Tolle said. ‘M. Cooney agreed with General Fried- rich, except that he thought the number should be 100, as the entire State was in- terested. i Mr. de Young, who had been patiently waiting, his resolution getting further and further buried beneath the load of amend- Wedo not want any jealousy in it. We are going to win, and I as a humble country member want to remind you of the balance of the State. Give us, back- woodsmen, a chance. Whatever redounds to thie honor of 8an Francisco redounds to the honor of California. Letus unite Cali- fornia to get the convention that will name the next President of the United States.” M. M. Estee smoothed the slight ruffle that the contending members had stirred up. It only took a few words. “I heartily indorse Mr. de Young,” said Mr. Estee. “In my twenty years’ experience I never yet saw a large committee on anything that ever accomplished anything. You can never get a quorum. We are dispos- ing of the spoils and honor before we have the convention. ““We can dispose of the spoilsand honors by having various sub-committees if it is necessary. The general committee will have to meet daily, and a large body will practically preclude the possibility of the work being done. I speak disinterestedly, as I will not go on any committee myseif. Let us not destroy our work by bickerings. The East is all in favor of us, and if we pull together we will undoubtedly win,” “Just what are we talking to, Mr. Chairman?”’ asked Alfred Bouvier, “The chairman would say that it is not according to strict rules,” said Senator Williams, “but—"" “I was not rising to a point of order,” sald Mr. Bouvien *'Iwas zoing tocall the and subscription, to be made up both from San Francisco and outside towns,” said John T. Dare. ““The suggestion of Mr. Cornwall that the committee of twenty be empowered to in- crease itself is good,” said M. H. de Young. “They can appoint the number better than the chairman. It will be almost im- possible for the chairman to do so.” “I thoroughly agree that the task of selecting a committee of one hundred will be well-nigh impossible,” said Chairman Williams. “I have spent most of my life in the in- terior towns of the State,” said Mr. Dare, “and [ know what effect the selection of men in those towns by this committee would be. The interior is at present en- thused over the idea of bringing the con- vention to the coast, and they will feel greatiy honored if the chairman of this meeting officially selects one of their rep- resentative citizens to act on the com- mittee. “If this committee simply appoints aids to help them collect in the various towns it will dampen their ardor, I feel sure.” “I favor Cornwall’s motion,” said Gen- eral Friedrich. “Itis practical and gives a basis for us to act on.” “I. withdraw my amendment in favor of Mr. Cornwall’'s motion,” said John T. Dare, and Mr. Cornwall’s motion was d. W’;?:een George P?{z introduced a reso- lution. It was as follows: Beolved, That the chairman sppoint imme. discussion of this project. Let us endeavor to look at the situation as it appears to the disin- terested observer, and to estimate from that standpoint the strength or weakness of our de- mand that the pext National Republican Con- vention be held in San Francisco. We should try to imagine ourselves in the place of the National Republican Committee, for we are working on_the auumf!lon that the delibera- tions of that body will not be influenced by elther predilection for or prejudice against any applicant for the convention, but will award it to the city that proves itself best entitled to it on the q‘mund of expediency and every other essential consideration. We must remember that Ban Francisco has several active and inac- tive rivals in the field, and that they will be as eager to expose our disadvantages (for we must not flatter ourselves with the belief that she has no disadvantages) as we will be ready to deny their false representations. We cannot persist in our candidacy without provoking a fierce and unscrupulous on- slaught, and as we have no idea of relinquish- ing our candidacy while there remas any possibility of capturing the prize it is plainly our duty right now and here to look the pros- pect squarely in the face and decide upon an effective campaign. We have not hesitated to sink political and partisan considerations in a broad effort to help San Francisco, and zurely we can afford to weigh San Francisco’s present aspiration fairly—as it willsbe weighed by the committee—without pronouncing ourselves destitute of local patriotism or inviting sus- picion that we are harboring a dgsire to de- preciate our City's self-esteem. Our claims will be weighed h{ comparison, and it would be superfluous at this time and in this place to recapitulate them, for they haye been set forth so often and so intelligentiy ig the press that every one here is conversal. with them. But you may not be so well in- formed as to !he*lnm that will pe filed in opposition to us. hen we have expounded to the committee all the exclusive advantages we susu- in the way of climate, hotel accommo- ations, etc., the other fellows will take the floor and endeavor to show that our strongest bids for favor are offset by our remoteness from the great centers of population, and the fact that our standard time is several hours bekind that of the otker blgbcmu of the country, thus preventing the publication by the mornin pl{wrs of New York and Boston and Philadel- phia and Chicago of the late proceedings of the convention the previous day. There will be other objections, just and un- just, urged sgainst the selection of San Fran- cleco as the place of holding the convention but those I have mentioned are the principal onesand will be the hardest to overcome. And now is the time to devise ways and means to nullify them. On that point I have no advice to” offer, further than to suggeu that when the Propér ways and means have been adopted they be entrusted to the care of men capable of operating them for all they are worth, and more than they are worth, if possi- ble. Much will depend upon the personnel of the committec that you will select to present San Francisco's claims. To insure success it must be made up of men who know how to talk and are not afraid of hard work—men who are fertile of resource to argument, who possess the respect of this community and are qualifed to cnmé)el that of those whom they shall try to influence. While defending San Francisco from malicious aspersion they must be ready to administer a Knock of two on their own account—to hit a head when they see it. While extolling the attractions of their own beloved City they wmust not neglect any opportunity to expos< the repulsive features of her rivals. Pittsburg is said to be our most formidable opponent, and it should not tax the gray mats ter of the California advocate to evolve argu- ments sufficient to slaughter Pittsburg's chances. Let him compare the soot-laden atmosphere of that city with the saited ozone that is constantly on tap in San Francisco, and assure the committee that here the dele= gates to the convention could keep their lungs expanded and their linen immaoculate all the year round. And in mentioning Chi- cago, aiso conspiciious in the race, he may in- cidentally remsrk that instead of being equipped” with a canal flowing with liquid filth, this City has the prettiest and cleanest bay in all the worid. These are only minor datails, but they count. When the Scotch philosopher declared that “mony a mickle makes & muckle,” he provided a text that might with safety be adopted as a motto for the guidance of men who are to have the honor of laying San Francisco’s claims before the National Republican Committee. Another communication was as follows. It was submitted by T. B. Morton: SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., Nov. 4, 1895.—We, the citizens ot the State of Callfornia and of San Francisco, in mass-meeting assembled, do hereby express our sincere desire for the con- vening of the Republican National Convention in this City in 1896, knowing full well that San Francisco is competent on all lines to care for such a convention in & manner second to none in the Union. The inducement snd ad- vantages we can offer are many and varied. Our unsurpassed climate and natural re- sources; the great importance of California to the rest of the Union, so far as regards her mineral wealth, agricultural products and natural resources, which are capable of afford- ing paying Investments for millions and labor for the great army of unemployed—these and other features are potent reasons why the con- vention should be held here. In convening the convention here we will be enabled to enlighten the representative men of the Nation as to the absolutejnecessity of the early completion of the great Nicaragnan canel, which will be the means of increasing our traae with the Orient, islands of the sea, the western coast of Mexico and the South American republics. If these great avenues of trade and wealth can be properly placed before the American people, we firmly believe the whole nation will be benefited, and we believe all of this can be accomplished by the cohven- ing in this ciry. Besides these many advantages. we believe the candidates for the Presidency should be selected by the people through their represen- tatives. In convening the convention here, this being the most remote city baving no candidate of its own for National honors places all candidates before the delegates alike on an even basis, with no local influence to intimidate and overawe, and leaves the dele- gates free to vote for the choiceof their con- stituents or make their own selections, and the people for once will choose the candidate and not the politicans. Therefore be it Resolved, That the chairman be authorized to appoint a committee of seven, four Republi- cans and three Democrats, to go to Washing. ton and lay the claims of San Francisco before the Republican National Committee, and use every honorable means to cause the convene tion to convene here in 1896. Chbairman Williams will notify all the committeemen of their appointment. He will name the general committee named n Mr. de Young’s resolution within twenty-four hours and the others within forty-eight hours. st CONVENTION FUND TO DATE, The subscriptions continue to pile up from all quarters of the state, and the rivalry to see who can dothe bestis making it interesting for those who are in the movement. Yesterday Gladding, McBean & Co. added $250 to the list, on the ground that every stranger brought to California was just one more feather in her cap. In such acts we find the typical California business men showing their hand all over the Golden State. In Los Angeles last night the Herald came into the ring with $100, and the never-sleeping Sciplo Craig of the Red~ lands Citrograph put himself down for $25. Others in this City assisted in swelling the fund, and the good work still goes merrily on. The record up to the beginning of this week was: PREVIOUS SUBSCRIPTIONS., New Subsoriptions, GLADDING, McBEAN & CO, 250 LOS ANGELES “HERALD”, 100 REDLANDS “CITROGRAPH' as BROWN BROS. 500 PACIFIC TRANSFER CO.. 400 SACHS BROS......... 250 UNITED CARRIAGE (O, 200 KAHN BROS, ELINE & CO. 100 ROTH & CO... 100 RINALDO BROS. & CO. 100 J. P. JACKSON.. 100 RETAIL HATTERS’ ASSOOIA~ TION....cc00neeeen 250 J. A. FOLGER & CO 100 GREY BROS.. 100 GOLDEN WEST HOTE 100 HALE BROS............ 100 W. K. VANDERSLICE & CO.. 100 KOHLBERG, STRAUSS & FROHMAN, 50 NEWMAN & LEVINSON. 50 GROOM & HAGAN...... 5o HOLLENBECK HOTEL (Los Angeles).......... 100 VALLOO AQUATIC CLUB. 100 MARK STROUSE.... S. OAKLAND ¢“ECHO”. TOTAL.... . Within the next twenty - four hours, through the exertions of the committee appointed by the chairman of the meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, it is likely that the people of California will see some substantial additions to the fund. e At gl CONVENTION RATES. Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Waiting to Hear From the Association. Both General Passenger Agent Goodman —_— Continued on Fourth Fage.