The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-31

campaign gathering on Saturday night
last, and for the arrest of eight speakers
two weeks ago.
c. II. Davies, did not mince matters.
There was not even saving clause in the
entire resolution. From socialis tic
standpoint it was an admirable document,
full of fire from beginning to end, and
reeking with the most courteous abuse the
blue-coated guardians of San Francisco
have ever been called upon to face.
Nor was this all. The heads of the de-
partment, Captain Lees and Chief Crow
ley, come in for large share of individual
criticism, though their Eames were not
mentioned directly in the resolution.
The meeting was called to order by
George Aspden, chairman OF the evening.
He said by way of introduction that the
interference of the police was pobably a
good thing for socialism. Such acts won Id
call attention to the party and the princi-
pies for which it was fighting. These same
tactics had been adopted in other cities
with Indifferent success at first and finally
failure.
The audience then sang the Marseillaise
with great spirit and earnestness, after
which s. Siler. the speaker of the occa-
sion, delivered ringing address on the
benefits of socialism. Among other things
he said that socialism had become an
American institution. He said If the
paper which announced yesterday that
the men arrested Saturday night could
only look in on the audience they could
see that it was American to the backbone.
Siler declared that the Socialistic party
was'a party of peace.
THE police are only trying to provoke
us, he said, Into committing some act
so that they can shoot US down like dogs "
At the conclusion of Mr.. Siler's remarks
G. H. Davies gained the floor and asked
permission to read the following resolu-
ton:
WHEREAS, OF late un warranted and igno-
minious arrests have been made by pam
pered and truculent police force; and whereas
1t Is in evidence that peaceable and law
abiding citizens cannot assemble to voice
their just and honest convictions; and where
as, we are convinced that the basis for
the arrests by our obnoxious and hireiing
police force is not as assumed-disturbing the
peace and quiet OF certain secret society
but is found in the principles enunciated
by the culprits, which are in opposition to
capitalism; and whereas, the boosted liberties
OF the American people are hourly and daily
imperiled when such arbitrary act as the
suppression of free speech can Re successfully
achieved by such an indoent, detestable and
malodorous hoard of ignorant sloths as San
Francisco's police force; and, whereas, the
yirtuous indign alton OF an honest but indul-
gent people should be aroused by the efforts of
our insidious and implacable foe-the police
force-to further curtail our liberties for
reasons entirely at variance with equity and
justice therefore be IL
Resolved That we the Socialist Labor party
and its sympathizers and all lovers of liberty,
condemn and denounce in measured but I'M
mistakable terms the dastardiy and cowardiy
actions OF the police for their arrests of last
night and in the near past; also be IL
Res0Gued, That 1t is the sense OF this meeting
that persistent efforts be made and pushed to
victorious conclusion to sustain our consti-
| tutional right to indulge whenever and wher-
ever we deem it fitting and proper our right OF
free speech. and invite all lovers os justice and
fair play in all walks Of Life, independent OF