The morning call., 1893-03-02
NON=PARTISANS.
Citizens of Alameda Fall
Into Line.
TWO MEETINGS LAST NIGHT.
They Fail to Agree on Some Points
of Government for the City.
Two Tickets Out.

There were two political conventions in
the pretty little city Of Alameda last night
Sometime ago numerous citizens who had
never been in politics and didn't want to be,
but who did want cheaper water better
lights and various other things that Ala
media has not but needs, banded together
and notified botn the Republican and Demo-
cratic parties that unless there was less
politics and more business in the canvass
preceding the approaching city election they
would form an independent party as Nom
Partisans and nominate and elect their own
men.
The leaders of the two parties agreed to
do as requested, but did nothing. The citi-
zens proved they we're in earnest by starting
nOn-partisan movement. and the leaders
of the two old parties were astOnshed at
the rapidity with which the new movement
gained strength and converts. Finally the
Non-Partisans called convention for the
purpose Of nominating city officers, and then
the Republican and Democratic central
clubs woke up andlproceeded to plan check
mate. They appointed twenty-five delegates
from each party and announced that the
convention of fifty would be Non-Partsan,
but refused to make public the names of the
delegates chosen. This did not suit the
citizens Non-Partisan people, and they an
nounced that they proposed TO 60 on with
their convention.
Then the liquor-license question was in
trOduced in the fight, the original Non-Par-
tisans favoring notifications by the incom-
ing Trustees of the present liquor law in
Alameda and the political Non-Partisans
favoriug a higher license.
The battle was opened last night, and the
fight promises to be bitter one until after
election. Yesterday the names of the dele
gates 10 the convention of fifty were pub
lshed, but the original Nom Partisans went
ahead, and two conventions were held, two
sets OF candidates nominated. with some
exceptions where both conventions selected
the same man for the same office.
Both sides claim majority at the polls,
and it looks now as If it was going to be a
lively election. especially for the offices of
Town Trustees, there being two vacancies
on the board to fill, and the offices being the
most important on the ticket. The plat
forms adopted by the two conventions set
forth the main causes OF difference, but
the personal bitterness being engendered
viii probably continue to increase as the
day for the contest at the polls approaches.
Both conventions last night were orderly
in the extreme, and being held in halls
fully two miles apart there was no chance
of one faction knowing what the other was
doing until the meetings were over. The
proceedings were as follows: The original
or Simon pure" Nom Partlsans, as they
call themselves, met in convention in
Harmonic Hall at o'clock, there being be-
tween two and three hundred voters
present, and nearly every one of them tax
payers. The older citizens predominated
in numbers and took charge of affairs to
large extent, but called on the younger
men for work on committees, platform and
resolutions. etc. Judge Sweasey, as tenn
porary chairman, called the convention to
order.
In brief speech he said that he wanted
il distinctly understood that the convention
was a meeting of citizens, and that every
citizen present had the right, regardless of
any previous political affiliations, to speak
his mind regarding any measure proposed
for adoption. or for or against any candi-
date nominated for Office. 1t was not
political convention, but a meeting OF citi-
zens, and as such the good citizens would be
active in seeing that the greatest good to
the greatest number be the outcome of the
deliberations.
Ii. L. Rea WAS then elected permanent
secretary. and a committee of five consisting
of G. L. COlwell, George E. Peck, f. Wild.
H. Bruins and Henry Mohns was appointed
on platform and resolutions A recess of
twenty minutes was then taken in order 10
allow the comni ittee to report After DELHI
Grafton the committee reported the follow
Ing platform. which was unanimously
adopted:
We believe that the interests OF the city de-
maud that all streets In public use and properly
paved should be accepted by the Board OF
Trustees.
We believe the Board OF Trustees should take
all necessary steps towards securing cheaper
water rates, especially 10 the small consumers,
and, II necessary TO accomplish that purpose
that commission be appointed to appraise and
condemn the present system, with the View OF
establishing waterwoTks system 10 be owned
and operated by the city.
Inasmuch as there Is no city of the size OF
Alameda In tue State OF California but has better
faci'ies for private lighting. we believe that
some steps should be taken by the city or that
franchises should be granted to Some connecting
company for better lighting by gas or electricity
or 6ob.
That we view with pride our public schools
and We realize that they should be given every
facility sn The line OF Improvement, both ia
buildings and In educational facilities; and IL is
Resolved, That any candidate who cannot up-
hold this platform ana pledge himself TO carry il
out TO the best Of his ability shall not receive
the support OF this convention
The citizens OF Alameda, regardless OF pollti.
cal aihllatlOn, having assembled In public con.
Yentl0h ior tile purpose OF nominating ticket
for city oficers who are pledged TO the general
improvement OF every part OF the city, do an
Dunciale the following platform.
WHEREAS The Board OF Trustees have in
their sovereign power the right 10 regulate the
liquor traflc aud impose restrictions thereon
We therefore insist that the saloons 10 whom
licenses are gran ed be placed under polIce sur-
veillance In order that the edicts OF the Board OF
Trustees may be carried out 10 the fullest ex-
tent
We indorse the actions OF the Board of Trus-
ices lu ielueihs Hcouses 10 any ana all persons
who sell liquor 10 minors or those who keep dis.
orderly places or those WHO In any way defy the
law or wishes OF the people residing In their i'm
mediate neighborboods, and we believe that
license should not be granted to any one when
ever majority OF the residents within The limits
established by The Board of Trustees sign pc.
tition opposing the granting of such license
We Insist upon having all streets In Alameda
opened to the fullest extent and TO conform fo
the lines of the present streets as they exist
The platform was adopted with cheers
and the convention at once got down to
business. The chairman announced that
no would not entertain any motions to
close nominations or tolerate any attempts
to use the gag law. There was no slate and
every man in the convention should have a
respectful hearing, and the more nom
inatlon3 there were made the better the
citizens would like it. Six sergeants-at
arms were appointed to collect the baIlnts
and nominations were then called for
There being but two nominations for the
Board OK Trustees. that being the number of
vacancies to be filled, William Hammond
and Theodore Leydecker were declared the
choice OF the convention as candidates for
those offices. ID. j. Sullivan and C. A
Brown we're nominated for mem bers of the
Board of Education; f.. Minor Smith for
Assessor; .. l.. Rogers for Marshal; James
b. Barber for Treasurer and A +. st. Sure
for Recorder. The convention then ad
journed.
The political non-partisan convention of
fifty members, twenty-five from the Repub-
lican and twenty-five from the Democratic
clubs of Alameda. met at Tupper's Hall.
The meeting WAS called to order at S 80
O'Clock, and j. n. Young voted into the
chair.