The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, June 18, 1896, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1896., 3 FOOTE IS HARD HIT Buckleyites Gain Sweet Revenge by Defeating Laymance. FITZGERALD ELECTED A DELEGATE. The Alameda Fight Reopened In the Third District Convention. “BUSINESS MEN" KNIVES, USE THEIR Triumph of the Daggett-Irish Faction Over Their Old-Time Enemies. SACRAMENTO, Car., June 17.—There was sweet revenge for the enemies of W. W. Foote, when M. J. Laymance was beaten by Fitzgerald as delegate to the National Convention in the Third District Convention in the middle of the after- noon. They were not alone, the old fighters on the other side of the vendetta, who thanked heaven with an eager joy— | the Daggett-Irish crowd who have so long been the under dogs. It was sweet to the Bucklevites, and sweet it was to the enemies of Gould from Santa Clara, from Los Angeles and else- where. To the Buckleyites it was the one blessed thing the convention bad brought them. The victory was mainly theirs, for they hate Laymance, and solely on Foote's account. They knifed Laymance that Foote might feel the blade. Foote had made Laymance’s fight his own. He bad declared that he stayed in the Alameda County fight because Laymance was his friend. He shared in the brief joy that followed Laymance’s majority in the Ala- meda delegation. Laymance’s ambition to beat Fitzgerald for deiegate was the one great issue in the fierce contest. Since Foote finally de- clared for Gould, no curses have been too fierce for the Buckleyites. They had for months made “Billy” Foote their hero; had cheered every mention of his name in their meetings; had indorsed him time and again for delegate-gt-large, and had whooped him up in every possible way. There is no questioning the fact that the Buckleyites piled into Foote's fight in Alameda County, and that they sent nearly 200 experienced district primary workers with competent managers over to the primary. They freely offer affidavits full of specific times, places and names, and the men who went are loudly declar- | ing what they did. Thisarmy of the San Franeisco “push” stood off the similar Mint ‘“‘push” which went over under Daggeit’s orders to help Fitzgerald. These men reported to the bosses who handled the Foote-Laymance fight. There is no testimony that Foote personally entered into any bargain, but it is declared that they expected Foote’s support In the convention. S0 1t is no wonder the Buckleyites used as a knife all the influence th>y had leit when they were beaten. It needed but few votes to turn the scale and balance any advantage Laymance eained through Foote’s understanding with Gould. The same influence was visibly played | during the day and evening to defeat Foote for delegate at large. The Buckley- ites sought to turn their friends in the Lox Angeles, Santa Clara and other del gations to the Daggett Gould-McNa ticket, which included Geary and Cole- man and left out Eoote. John P. Irish blessed the day that de- feated Laymance and even took for bliss- ful joy the broiling sunshine, for in his view right and the nobility of Alameda’s Democracy triumphed when Foote meta- picrically lay low in Laymance's known summer suit. He spoke frankly and with a candid air about the somewhat sensa- tional victory of Fitzgerald, of John P. Irish and of Daggett. “It retires Mr. Laymance from Alameda County politics,” said Mr. Irish this even- ing. “It is a stinging rebuke of the crim- inal methods he has long pursued in Ala- meda County to the disfranchisement of every decent man in the party. Itis also a distinct rebuke to his aiders, abettors :lnd co-conspirators against decency and | fairness—W. W. Foote and Frank J. Mof- fitt. Foote has appeared at all times against the rights of the Democracy in his own county and against all that is right and fairin politics in Alameda County.” Mr. Irish talked of Foote’s flop to Gould quite as frankly, and said freely what prominent Buckleyites had recently told bim about their deal with Foote. “He didn’t bring to Mr. Gould a vote,” | Irish asserted. *‘Every decent man in the | convention believes that he was plecgea to Buckley and betrayed him, and while | these decent men may accept Mr. Foote’s | companionship, they do it as the decent public.in Great Britain receives that of Benedict Arnold. They accept the treas- ure but despise the traitor. | “Itisnot to be forgotton that less than a week ago he and his; negro partner, Dennis, boasted that a resolution was drawn to read John Daggett oat of the | party. But Mr. Foote comes to Sacra- | mento, betrays Buckley and surrenders to | Daggett without condition, marches in his | procession and keeps time to Daggett’s | brass band.” | “Buckley’s friends—some of the more | gentlemanly of them --asked me to takea | proxy and make their fight in the conven- | tion, and when I asked why I should make | Buckley’s fight, they said: ‘We sent men | into Alameda County to win Foote’s fight | at the primaries against Fitzgerald, on the | positive promise that Foote would make | our fight here, and now he has played us.” To this I answered: ‘When I | helped Foote win in Alameda County you | damaged my friend Fitzgerald. Accord- | ing to your own story, you tied up with a | liar, and you must stay with him; I can- | not help you.’ | “They offered to go before the committee on credentials and make affidavits to all | they said, giving times, places and names | regarding the sending over of about 200 were used by Foote's managers.” Mr. Irish Lappened to speak of Foote's silver leanings. Said he: - “Yes, he is another one of them. If the party was for polygamy he would deciare that he had been a polygamist from his boyhood; that anybody who disputed it was a cursed har, and that polvgamy was one of the vital principles of the same old Jeffersonian Democracy.” The Third Congressional Democratic Convention of California went into session this afternoon at 2:30 o’clock for the pur- pose of electing delegates to the National Convention. was appointed chairman and H. F. Sure was elected to the position of secretary. When the roll was called it was jound that Philip Kalb of the Third District was absent, and a motion was made by H. C. Mcrike thata majority of the Alameda delezation be allowed to cast a vote for the absent delegate, but after a spirited argu- ment pro and con the motion was lost. G. W. Den oi Alameda then moved that the election of delegates for the Na- tional Convention be proceeded with. M. H. Nurse of Yolo placed Edward E. Leake of the same county in nomination. W. W. Foote arose, and after seconding Mr. Leake’s comination, nominated M. J. Laymance of Alameda. *‘Without doubt the entire Alameda delegation is in favor of the election of Laymance,” said Mr. Foote, ‘“and 1 am in hopes that the delegates from the outside counties will consider the wishes of Ala- meda’s delegation, and select the gentle- man I have named as a deiegate to the National Convention.” This arzument, however, had but little if any effect on the so-called outside dele- gates, and in consequence Laymance was defeated. 1t is generally conceded that | Laymance was beaten by the Buckleyites and their friends, who did everything they | could to knife Foote’s candidate on ac- | count of what they call Foote’s treachery. A. J. Clunie and others secured proxies in the convention, and John McGilligan threw what Solano votes he could control against Laymance. 1t was then moved and seconded that the ballot be cast by the secretary for Leake’s election. W. W. Foote seconded this motion, and it was carried, with the resnlt that Yolo’s popular son was unani- mously chosen as a delegate to the National Convention. J. R. Glascock of Alamede, with a few chosen words, then placed Robert Fitz- gerald in nomination as opponent to M. J. Laymance. No time was wasted in argumentative speech, and the voting to decide which of the two contestants | should go to Chicago began without delay. The balloting was soon concluded with the following resuit: FITZGERALD. | Alameda Colusa . Contra Costa. LAYMANCE. 2; Mr. Fitzgerald was elected. He arose and said that he would endeavor to sup- port the platform and if he found that he could not he wounld notify the chairman, have the delegation reconvened and a new | delegate to the National Convention ap- | ponted. | Dr. W. G. Downing was unanimously | elected alternate of Fred E. Leake. Con- Edward E. Leake of Yolo | siderable discussion followed as to who would be sppointed Fitzgerald’s alternate, but that gentleman finally settled the ques- tion by naming M. A. Laymance, his opngnent, for the position as alternate from the Third Congresional District. Mr. Laymance, however, declined to accept and sent the following letter to the chair- man of the Third District Convention: JUNE17, 1896. Hon. Ed. E. Leake, Chairman of the Third Con- gressional Democratic Convention of Califdrnia— Sin: Ihereby respectfully decline the nomi- nation of the above-named convention as al- ternaie delegate to the National Democratic Convention about to assemble at Chicago. I was tendered the nomination against my wishes and I declined to accept the same on the floor of the district convention. Very re- spectfully, M. J. LAYMANCE. ‘W. W. Foote then moved that the Con- gressional District Convention adjourn until September 1, and on that date con- vene in Vallejo at 10 o’clock. * This motion 'was carried. AN EASTERN VIGTORY. How J. H. Manley Regards the Adoption of a Gold Standard. 8T. LOUIS, Mo., June 17.—J. H. Man- ley made the fellowing statement to-nigh: “The Eastern Republicans have won a great victory in this convention in forcing the convention to accept and declare for the maintenance of the gold standard. “The delegates from the New England States, from New York, from New Jersey, from Pennsylvania, and, it should be said to their credlt, from some of the extreme Northwestern States, demanded that the money question should be met squarely and the issue presented fairly and honestly to the people. “They insisted that the resolations should explicitly declare against the free coinage of silver, except by internatignal agreement with the leading nations of the world; thet the present gold standard should be maintained. “They did not care what else was said, provided the convention was emphatic in its expressions upon these two main points. The party has taken a stand for the right, no matter what the result may be, but in this case to be right will be pop- ular.” WHITHEY 1S APPEALED O Urged to Abandon His Trip Abroad and Go to Chicago. | New York’s Democratic Leaders Hope to Stem the Free Silver Tide. POUGHKEEPSIE, Y., June 17.— Senator David B. Hill stopped over in Poughkeepsie last evening on his way to Albany and had a conference with Chairman Hinkley of the Democratic State Committee. Mr. Hinkley showed Senator Hill a copy of a telegram which he sent to William C. Whitney a few days ago. { Senator Hill said he fully acquiesced in the dispatch, which was as follows: Can you not reconsider your determination | togo abroad and instead go as a delegate-at- large to our National Convention? Tam xot of the opinion that the fight for sound money is as hopelessas it possibly appears to you. We understood when our friends first asked you to i go to Chicago that you partially agreed to do s0,and we trust that you will not disappoint us. lassureyou of & unanimous election as delegate-at-large if you accept, and earnestly enter the fight, which may yet be won for sound money. e WILL STAY AT HOME, Whitney Is Persuaded to Take a Hand at Chicago. NEW YORK, N. Y., June 17.—William ! C. Whitney, who had. waken passage for Europe on the Teutonic, which sailed for Europe this morning, said this forenoon: “I decided late last night to remain at home and go to the convention at Chicago. I don’t think that I can help matters much, but I have yielded to the requests of many friends, who have been at me for several weeks to be present when the con- vention meets. All this muddle in the party has got into it over the silver question and may, in my opinion, result in its disruption, and if I can be of assistance to those who were instrumentai in helping to reform matters in 1892 I shall be glad to do so. Nothing said by Mr. Cleveland has influenced me, as I have not heard from him directly or indirectly. His renomination 1s, to my mind, impossible.”’ The sudden changes in Mr. Whitney’s plans are regarded as an indication that the Democrats of the East anticipate one of the hardest fights in the history of the party. David B. Hill, Senator Gorman, ex-Senator Matthew Ransom and Colonel James Murdock held ‘a long conference with Mr. Whitney yesterday afternoon. AL O T GORMAN AS A DELEGATE. The Marylana Senator Has Suddenly Changed His Mind. BALTIMORE, Mp., June 17.—The state- that William C. Whitney has decided to postpone his trip to Europe in order to take part in the deliberations of the Dem- ocratic Nstional Convention, caused the statement thisafternoon that Senator Gor- man, too, would be a participant in the Chicago debate of gold vs, silver. The Senator, it is said, will accept the vacant sition as delegate at large created by the eciination of Charles C. Homer to serve in that capacity. Senator Gorman has repeatedly asserted that he would not go to Chicago, but the impending fight over the financial plank of the platform to be adopted there has, it is claimed, caused him to change his plans. LT MAINE DEMOCRATS. In State Convention They Indorse Cleve- land and Gold. PORTLAND, ME., June 17.—~The Demo- cratic State Convention met to-day. Chair- man Charles F. Johnson praised the ad- ministration of Clevéeland and named William E. Russell of Massachusetts as the choice of the Democrats of Maine for the Presidency. The platform indorses President Cleveland, expresses sympathy for the Cuban revolutionists and declares for gold. Tha following delegates at large to the National convention were chosen: Dr. 8. C. Gordon of Portland, John Scottof Bath, Frederick W. Plaisted of Augusta and Charles Snow of Bangor. i R ARKANSAS DEMOCRATS. Bland Is Favored for President by the State Convention. LITILE ROCK, ARk., June 17.—The Democratic 5 ate Convention to-day nom- inated Colonel Daniel W. Jones of Little Rock for Governor; H. G. Buna for Chief Justice; A. C. Hull, Secretary of State, and Ransom Gulley, Treasurer. A reso- lution indorsing Bland of Missouri for President caused much discussion. The roll developed that the “Aronla of Silver” bad a majority of the delegates, but the t necessary two-thirds to suspend the rules | for the consideration of the resolution was | not forthcoming. | The platform committee will not_report: I until to-morrow, when delegates to Chicago will be elected. DEMOCRACY’S PLATFORM. Declaration of Principles Adpptéd at Sacramento. FREE COINAGH OF SILVER. Resolved, That the Democratic party of the State of California is unalterably in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver, at the ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting for or depending on the action of any other nation; and 1t de- mands the use of silver as well as gold as a full legal tender 1n payment of all debts, both public and private. ACGAINST THE FUNDING BILL. Resolved, That the Democratic party of the State of California resents the inter- ference in the politics of this State of the Southern Pacific of Kentucky; that we denounce the system of “‘boss” politics largely created and fostered by that corpo- ration, which has corrupted public men and public life, and under which only those who find favor in the eyes of the corporation and stand ready to do its bidding have held office. Under this influence our youths have been taught that political principle and political duty may be justly traded off for personal gain and preferment ai the hands of the “boss’ to the almost entire destruction.of that healthy public spirit without which no Government of the people can hope to continue in existence. That we are unalterably opposed to the funding bill now pending in the Con- gress of the United States, or to any other similar measure, and we demand that the Southern Pacific Company and all other corporations subsidized by the Govern- ment be compelled to fulfill their obligations in the same way that private debtors are compelled to liquidate theirs; in other words, we are opposed to any system which will permit the subsidizing of Federal corporations .0 pay: their interest- bearing debt at the rate of 2 per cent, while the Government itself is compelled to pay 314 per cent for money with which to carry on the public business. We request our delegation, elected by this convention to the coming National Convention, to use their influence and energies to have the above-mentioned plank inserted in the platform to be adopted at Chicago by the Democratic National Convention. That the Democratic party of California, in convention assembled, recognizes with pride and satisfaction the able, patriotic and distingnished services of Senator Stephen M. White and Congressman J. G. Maguire, and does hefeby extend to them its grateful acknowledgment of the same, and particularly their opposition io the funding bill and their conspicuous and valuable services in behalf of a free harbor for Southern California. 3 That this convention realizes that the industries of the Pacific Coast are unduly depresszed by reason of our commercial isolation and our inability to compete in the markets of the world while handicapped by the ten thousand miles of perilous ocean navigation. That the construction of the Nicaragua maritime canal is of the greatesi politi- cal and commercial importance to our country, and especially to the Pacitic Coast States, and we respectfully urge the Democratic National Convention to pronounce distinctly in favor of taking such action by Congress as will provide for its early construction under National auspices; but we are opposed to a subsidy being granted to any corporation for that purpose. Resolved, That the Democrats of Califorria appreciate the noble efforts of the sturdy patriot and statesman, Senator J. T. Morgan of Alabama, for his able and indefatigable struggle in the interests of the Pacific Coast and the Nation in oppo- sition to the funding bill infamy. We indorse the action of Railroad Commissioners La Rue and Stanton in their efforts to equalize and reduce fares ana freights, and point with pride to their manly stand in behalf of the producers of California. INDORSEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT. Resolved, That we hereby indorse the administration of President Cleveland, except as to his financial policy. His foreign policy has been wise, statesmanlike and patriotic, and his domestic policy has been pure and incorruptible. INDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR BUDD. Resolved, That we indorse the administration of Governor Budd and earnestly commend his vigorous efforts to enforce economy and efficiency in the public service, and eongratulate the taxpayers in the great saving he has made in the cost of administering the public institutions of the Btate. PERSONAL: AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. Resolved, That the Democratic party is the defender of the unabridged, funda- mental right of religious freedom guaranteed every citizen by section 3, article VI of the National constitution, which declares that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States,” and holds all secret political societies as mischievous in purpose and contrary to the spirit of republican institutions, a democratic form of government, the con- stitution of the United States and of the State of California. As the upholder of the constitution and the civil, religious and personal rights it guarantees, the Democratic party denounces the methods and aims of the secret. political organization miscalled ‘‘the American Protective Association,” for having religious proscription as its basis and the exaction of religicus tests as a qualifica- tion io office for its rule of action. Resolved, That we hereby denounce the action of the Republican party for rais- ing a false issue of the vossibility of State aid being granted to sectarian schools, and we reaffirm our loyalty to the constitution of California in section 8, article IX, which declares that *no public money shall ever be appropriated for the sup- port.of any sectarian or denominational school, or any school not under the ex- clusive control of the officers of the public schools; nor shall any sectarian or denominational doctrine be taught, or instruction therein be permitted, directly or indirectly, in any of the common schools of this State.” ' MINING AND NAVIGATION. Resolved, That we congratulate the Democratic party and the people of the State of California on the fact that by the legislation initiated by the Democratic party under the platforms of our conventions, held resvectively in 1890 and 1892, the mining industry in all its branches has received an impetus which to-day gives it a leading position in the developmen: and progress of the State. We favor the continuation of the work so auspiciously commenced, and recommend continued _aid by the National and State Governments on the lines laid down in the law, to the end that all interests invoived be fully and adequatély protected, and each given the recognition demanded by the importent bearing each has upon the general welfare. We believe in fostering the mining industry in all its branches and favor the rehabilitation of nydraulic mining wherever it can be carried on without material injury to any other industry. The preservation of the naviga- bility of the California rivers is of the greatest importance to the commerce of the State, and we therefore urge upon our delegations 1n Congress the importance of securing liberal Government appropriations for the improvement and maintenance of the navigability of our rivers and for the preservation of the San Francisco bay and harbor. We pledge the ntmost endeavors of our delegation in Congress in the efforts to place the improvement of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers under the contract system. MINERAL LAND BILL. Resolved, That we are in favor of the mineral land bill passed by the last Con- gress, and we denounce the conduct of those whose action prevented it becoming alaw. PROTECTION OF LABOR. Resolved, That we are proud to record the fact that the present Democratic ad- ministration in the State of California has accomplished more for the cause of labor than any previous administrationy that many of the evils and hardships to which the working classes have been subjected have been removed and abolished through the intervention of the Department of Labor; that the said classes have had a department administered in a careful and just manner to which they have carried their grievances to the end that the wrongs and impositions upon them have found speedy redress without fear or favor; and be it further Resolved, That the Democratic party, representing the larze majority affected by the domination of capital upon defenseless labor, pledges itself and its standard- bearers to continue in the good work of assisting and protecting those hampered by the tyrannical acts of capital monopoly; that it is the sense of this convention that labor be placed upon the plane to which it is entitled; that legislative action be had and the laws of the State so framed and enforced that full and adequate pro- tection be extended to its laboring classes where the same is now lacking. TARIFF AND TAXATION. First—We reaffirm our adherence to the principles of the tariff platform of the National Democratic Convention of 1892. Second—1In view of the universal decrease in the price of ali products of Jabor in this State and in the value of land and all other property, we believe that jus- tice demands a material reduction in the public expenditures. Notwithstanding the decision of the Sunreme Court of ‘the United States, we adhere to the position of the last Democratic Congress in favor of an income tax and, if necessary, of amending the constitution of the United States so as to obviate the objection of the Supreme Court. 5 Third—The poll tax is an fllogical and undemocratic tax. It falls chiefly on wage-earners, out of whose wages it is withheld, while other classes of citizens gen- erally escape from o= evade it. Therefore we demand section 12 of the article on revenue and taxation in the State constitution be repealed, and our candidates for the State Legislature are pledged to advocate such amendment. ' GOOD ROADS. The Democratic party of the State of California, appreciating the fact that good roads are destined to be an important factor in the development of the resources of our State, in that they facilitate the interchange of products and tend to bind together all sections, and recognizing further that the movement having in view the establishment of properly constructed highways has become one of National importance, we pledge ourselves to the earnest support of such legislative action as will bring about this beneficial plan of internal improvement, PURE FOOD. ‘We thoroughly appreciate the great danger to human life through the general adulteration of food, and, believing that life and health are of paramount import- ance, we pledge ourselves to take such measures as protect both in every way con- sistent with our form of government. FREH SPEECH. We condemn any attempt to override the will of the people as expressed in the amendment to the Jaw of contempt enacted by the Legislature of 1890, and to set up the monstrous and un-American doctrine that courts possess an inherent right to summarily punisa their critics for contempt, though not committed in the immediate presence of the court while in session, nor tending to actually in- terfere with its proceedings, thus depriving a citizen of his inalienable constitu- tional right to a fair and impartial trial by jury. We proclaim our unfaltering ad- herence to the principle of free speech and a free press and denounce all insidious attempts of returning tyranny to gag the one or shackle the other. . .. WOMEN ARE DISGUSTED, Scant Courtesy Accorded Equal Suffragists by Democrats. BRIEF HEARING AND A DISMISSAL. Their Resolution Tabled Without Argument by Builders of the Platform. THEY WILL WORK TO DEFEAT THE PARTY. Indignation of the Leaders Expressed in Caustic Letters to “The Call.” SACRAMENTO, Carn., Jjune 17.—The delegation of woman suffragists is feeling deeply disgusted to-night over the cavalier fasbion in which they were bowed out of the Democratic platform by the commit- tee this afternoon and the convention to- night. The women had been promised chivalrous treatment, at least, though not encouraged to hope that their plank would be accepted. They deem, as Mrs. Sargent expresses it, that they were shown scant courtesy. , They had prepared to make a strong showing before the committee on resolu- tions. The committee was in session in the parlors of the Golden Eagle Hotel nearly all day. The ladies were admitted into the august presence during the after- noon. They found there a solitary woman,with a solitary and anonymous letter for her credentials, to combat the statement that the women of California really desired the ballot. The letter purported to have been written by a married woman and explained its being anonymous by the statement that the author had written it without the knowledge of her husband and she wished to remain under cover so far as he was concerned as he would not like it. This letter has caused great merriment among the woman suffragists. It has, in fact, aided materially in relieving the sense of depression otherwise resulting from the unsatisiactory result of their ef- forts. They were given a brief hearing, the woman with the anonymous letter being allowed as much time asthe suf- fragists with their 40,000 petitioners. Susan B. Anthony offered the resolution for the amendment of the constitution. It was given almost no discussion by the committeemen themselves. Later in the afterncon Wesley Reed moved for a reconsideration of the action laying it on the table, but the noes were overwhelming. And for this the women are anything but pleased with Democratic politics. X number take the occasion to state their cause to THE CALL over their own signatures. Here are the letters: To the Editor of the San Francisco Call—SIR: We came up to the convention expecting nothing, and we got it. The expression among the delegates was general that their personal feeling in the matter cut no figure, that they would vote against woman suffrage in the hope of catching ail that element in the State which is opposed to it. It was a grand bid for votes, without any regard to principle. We were almost overwhelmed with assurances of the great chivalry with which we were to be treated by being allowed to appear before the platform commitiee,.out as this same con- sideration was granted to the lowest and meanest who chose to appear we failed to recognize any especial chivalry. On motion of J.T.Burke of San Francisco our resolution was tabled almost before the door closed behind us as we left the room. By thus refusing to vote on it, a minority report ‘was prevented, which would have been made by several on the committee. We want the Democratic women of the State to know that we brought up a delegation of as representative women as could be had in the State; that, in the face of the most terrible heat and under the most unpleasant circum- stances, we made the strongest fight that we were capable of making; that we left no stone unturned; that we did not spare ourselves any effort or any fatigue. There was a stronger power than ourselves at work, and we were ignominiously defeated. The campaign is now open: Ipa A. HARPER. To the Editor of the San Francisco Call—SIR: No one has ever expressed the opinion that the so- called woman’s suffrage plank would be adopted in the Democratic platform. We had no reason to expect, however, that the matter would be tabled in committee, without so much as a hearing in the convention. We thought there would be a minority report from the committee, as [ know there are a number of staunch suffragists among the delegates. Of course, this adverse action will not prevent any individual from voting according to his own views at the coming election, but it shuts the door against the educational work which we so much depended upon during the autumn campaign; for, inasmuch as the party has ignored the question, the newspapers will not feel bound to discuss it, and as for the orators, they will fear to lose a vote should they speak of it. But the educational work will be done by the great Republican party and the two smaller parties, and through their agencies all | will come to understand the question in a measure at least, for all voters wilt attend somewhat upon the meeting of their oppo- nents. We have this great Republican party and these smaller varties, and that great edu- cational engine, THE CALL, to champion our cause. Of course, the rank and file of the women of California eannot consider the Democratic party ss their friend. Isay that, having refer- ence only to the action of the party with re- gard to this matter, and not as to any other of the doctrines of the party. I am rather sorry for the Democratic party, for we shall win this fall and we shall owe our success largely to its opponents. SUSAN B. ANTHONY. To the Editor of the San Francisco Call-SIr: 1 have to say that [ think we have been treated with scant courtesy by the convention of Democrats. Coming here in a body, with & National organization back of us, we were scarcely given a hearing. The man at the head ot the table in the room of the committee on resolutions, whera we made our ples, looked cross and bored,as though he wished ‘we were elsewhere. Our opponents, composed of one woman and a man, with no backing, nothing to support them but an anonymous letter, were given a fuller hearing than we were. We deserved better at the hands of the big Democratic party. MRS. A. A. SARGENT. To the Editor of the San Francisco Call—SIR: In consideration of the delegation which pre- sented the resolution, and in consideration of the fact that we represented by petition 20,000 voters and 20,000 respectable women over 21 yesrs of age, we deserved better treatment at the hands of the committee on resolutions. We deserved a vote, to say the least. However, in a campaign of any sort it is of the utmost importance to know one’s friends. All parties are on record, and we shall go in to win our fight with no less courage and faith than be- fore. Mgs. E. O. SMITH. To the Editor of the San Francisco C R: From all T nad learned prior to our hearing before the committee, I was not surprised at the outcome. I regretted it, because I believe that the principle of woman suffrage is right and just, and whatever is right and just in principle will always work itself out bene- ficently in practice, There were gentlemen on who, in their daily lives, do generous things for the commonwealth, The best thing they could have done for the uplifting of the com- monwealth would have been o give us the plank in the platform, and thus aid to insure the ballot for woman. As it is, we still hope and believe we shall get it in the triumphs of other parties who believe in the justice of our claims. SARAH B. COOPER. The platform commitiee gave the advo- cates of both sides of the women'’s suffrage question forty minutes altogether, and then spent three minutes dismissing the matter from their minds by chucking it “on the table.” The champions of suffrage stayed in the hall for some time, and then filed into the crowded parlor when it, was announced that the woman question was in order. The committee was working under high pressure anyway.and there was no dispo- sition to hear long-winded speeches about equal suffrage. The chairman held a mo- ment’s consultation with somebody near him and announced that each side of the question would be given twenty minutes, which they could use if they pleased. The plank prepared by Susan B. An- thony, which had previously been sub- mitted to the committee, was read before time was counted on the ladies. The plank was as follows: Believing in the Jeffersonian doctriue that “governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,” the Demoeratic party, in convention assembled, hereby ex- presses its approval of constitutional amend- ment No. 11, conferring equal political rights mpon the women of the State. Mrs. Sargent, chairman of the State or- ganization, made a brief announcement that the ladies present represented 40,000 men and women of the State of California, according to the petitions presented. She introduced Sarah B. Cooper, president of the eleventh amendment campaign com- mittee, who spoke but a few words. “We are not going to vote 365 daysin the year and twenty-four hours in the day,” she said, “so the babies will not be neg- lected.”” Mrs. Alice Stocker of Alameda said that it was time enough for the ladies to take a partisan attitude when that was called for. Vigorous Miss Hay, who rather managed the discussion on her side, was careful to keep each lady strictly within bounds and to call her down when time was up. Most of them were called 1o time before they had fairly begun. “The time is up,” she said, interrupiing Mrs. Stocker, and then some gallant Dem- ocrat suggested that the time be extended ten minutes. Plucky Miss Hay cour- teously anda nicely declined the favor, and Mrs. E. O. Smith of San Jose followed Mrs. Stocker. She made an exceedingly bright and clever little sveech, and when she closed by referring to the Democratic party as ‘“‘the party of the people,”” and saying, “We are the people; come close to us,” she was enthusiastically applauded. Mrs. Ida Harper talked for about two minutes from the standpoint of party ex- pediency. She said that, as chairman of the State press committee, she had re- ceived in three months 3000 clippings from California newspapers on the suffrage question, and that three-fourths of them were 1n favor of suffrage. “We do not ask indorsement of this party because we believe that the amend- ment cannot be carried without it,” she said. *‘It will require about 140,000 votes to carry the measure, if all voters voie one way or the other. It will be conceded that 10,000 Prohibition votes will support us. The Populist vote two years ago was about 55,000, and that vote will be nearly solid for us. Of the Republican vote of about 178,000, two-thirds of it will bein . our favor; but the largest vote of any amendment two years ago was 102,000, We ask the indorsement for the sake of the Democratic women of California.”” “Time is up,” said Miss Hay. +Do not force us into partisan politics” said Miss Harper, sitting down. Mrs. Sargent announced that they would keep the remaining few minutes of their time for their closing argument, and the anti-suffragists were invited to present their case. Mrs. Carrie Murray, chairman of the Anti-Suffrage League, was introduced by Samuel Braunhart. She spoke less than a minute, merely saying that the ladies she represented were much opposed to woman suffrage and that the league was going to organize all over the State and work for the Democratic party. Mrs. Murray announced that there was no other champion of the anti-suifragists on hand, and that the other side could have the balance of her time if they wanted it; but Osgood Putnam of the Fourth District, San Francisco, jumped into the breach. He declared that he couldn’t let the matter rest without offer- ing an adequate defense of the women of California. When Mr. Putman got through, Miss Susan B. Anthony came forward amid considerable applause from even hostile Democrats present. “In answer to the argument that the women do not want to vote,” said Miss Anthony in the course of her brief ad- dress, “I offer here the petition signed by 40,000 men and women in the State after a brief canvas. Two counties send petitions with signatures equal to half the voting population, and in eight counties the ratio is one-third. In New York 625,000 names are on similar petitions. “The reason that potitical partiesare not seeking the votes of women as they are those of the most degraded elements is that they know that the women’s vote will be an intelligent one.” Reyv. Anna Shaw, with a characteristic- ally strong and bright three-minute ad- dress, closed the discussion. “We have been told,” she said, '‘that the women do not want to vote. When a gen- tleman has an invisible consciousness of it at his back L wish to present the visible evi- dence of the contrary to his faca. In ‘Wyoming at the last general election of the 80,000 women voted. “It is that the conditions of depravity may be removed that the motherhood of the country asks the ballot. If woman is charged with the care home and children, by every law, human and divine, mother- hood should have the power to protect home and children.” Miss Shaw presented statements from Governors, Mayors and other authorities in Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas, that woman’s elective franchise was exercised for good and not for evil, closing amid cor- dial applause from quite & number of those present. Osgood Putnam presented a plank de« claring outright against woman suffrage, and Jere T. Burke of 8an Francisco moved 1ts adoption, but before it was put or dis- cussed a motion was made to lay the whole matter on the table. Cries of “ques- tion” went up, and there were two noes when the question was put. The ladies filed out and the report of the sub-committee on finance was called up. that. committee