The San Francisco call., 1896-10-21
Mr., PHELAh AMONG
HIS OLD FRIENDS
Spoke Within Half a Block
of His Birthplace
and Home.
Municipal Affairs Ought to Be
Conducted on Business
Principles.
FREE WATER FOR THE CITY.
That Is One of the Reforms That
Ought to Be Accomplished.
Other Economies.
FREE WATER FOR THE CITY.

II,
ca, last night A goodly number of ladies
were present, and they joined heartily il
the cordial reception that was rendered to
Mr.. Phelan.
AS the hall where he spoke is within
half block from the spot where Mr.. Phe-
Ian was born and where he has lived all
his life the greeting that was given par
took more of the nature of neighborly
reunion than political demonstration.
The hall was handsomely decorated,
Mr.. PheIans picture being conspicuously
displayed in front of the speakers stand.
A. L. Mann called the meeting to order
and presented Daniel O. Callaghan as the
chairman OF the evening, who introduced
Mr.. Phelan.
Taking for his theme the need of the
municipal government Mr.. Pbelan re-
ferr ed to the fact that be had lived in the
Mission all his life. He felt that here he
was among friends and neighbors, and it
was a pleasure to be with SO many with
whom his life had been spent.
The nominatio n for Mayor by the Dem
ocratlc party, Mr. Phelan SAID, mad been
rendered to him without his solicitation,
and subsequently the Nom -Partisans had
som service tor the people of San Fran
CISCO, his native City, he had accepted The
nomination, and now he was doing his
duty by going forth to meet the electors
and confer with them in regard to the
issues of the cam palgn.
Mr.. Pheian contended that he stood as
the nominee of the Democratic party of
San Francisco, whereas the man who is
the figurehead at the top of the other So
called Democratic ticket is simply the
representative OF foul and vicious boss,
who in times past was compelled to flee
| the country, pursued by the offic of the
| law. 1t would be shame and disgrace,
! Mr.. Phelan said, to allow any man who is
| tainted with the support of Boss Buckley
ami bound to him by political ties to win
! in a contest like this.
| National politics and National themes,
Mr.. Phelan said, are good for the orators,
but when it comes to every day practical
! affairs the people are more interested in
| the management of the municipal govern
| ment than in the genera! PRINCIPLES that
| some people talk so much about. For in
| stance, the City pays $3.50, 900 for water for
| fire purposes, when everybody knows that
! no such amount of water is used by the
| City. That much water could not be used
| unless we had five fire departments as big
as the one we now have. This could be cut
| down, and it ought to be done.
! In this regard Mr.. Phelan desired to re-
| ply to an article IN morning paper which
had suggested that he would not make
| good Mayor because he had not had ex-
| perience in municipal affairs. He ap-
pealed to his hearers as citizens to say
| whether they did not know of evils in the
| municipal government and whether they
did not believe that he would know
| enough about business to correct the
abuses, concerning which the people
rightly complain. [Applause.] Mr..
Phelan continued:
1t is outrageous that the City should have to
pay so many thousands of dollars for water
and light when these ought to be supplied free
of charge in part payment for the franchises
that have been so freely given TO the corpora
tions
Golden Gate Park costs the City thousands of
dollars every year. Those who go out to the
| park will find that all the railroad lines con-
| verge there, and it would appear to an un-
biased observer that the park was a grand
| scheme got up to help swell the receipts OF the
| street railroads. Yet these railroads have
never been called on to help support the park;
and they wouldn't do it if so requested.
| Laughter and applause.l
In recent years new force has made its ap-
! pearance in our civilization. The wheel has
| come to stay, and everywhere wheelmen are
| for PROCESS. They are for good streets and
| they are right, for in great degree citys
prosperity depends on the excellency of its
thoroughfares. [Applause.l The bicycle is in
some measure Supplantlng Otner methOdS OF
transportation. it costs nothing for its keep
| ing, and in addition to freeing the man from
ordinary restraints OF travel, It adds to his
health and strength as well as giving q pleas
ing diversion. In all these effects the wheel
is benefit to the community and must be
so recognized by public-spirited citizens.
The wheel is proving of practical benefit by
making the su burbs more accessible to the
business man. 1t brings the shop of the artisan
closer to his home and opens up opportunities
that ne never enjoyed before. AS conse-
| lyit efric Of haa
more presentable because the wheelmen insist
that they shall be put in condition for the
bicycle. This is direct benefit 10 the entire
community.
The Mission is feeling the effect of this in.
fuence for good in marked degree. Our
people are demanding and obtaining better
streets, and will soon have beautiful park
and a spacious High School building. Zap
plause and cheers
These Improvements and others that are
bound to come will draw population to our
City; will draw people from Oakland. SAN
Rafael, Ssusalito ana other bay cities, besides
attracting the residents of the interior TO the
City. In this we will be but getting our own as
we shall call back hundreds. or even thousands,
who have imperceptibly drifted away to other
localities, because we have not made the best
of our opportunities
business principles, because then the revenue
of the municipal government may be ex-
pended for the Improvement and embellish-
ment OF the streets and parks aud public build
ings. If chosen as Mayor of San Francisco,
shall attempt to have some of these good
things put IN force. [Applause.l
In conclusion, Mr.. Phelan said that be
aspired to serve the City in which he was
born, and that he hoped by the suffrages
of his feliow-citizens TO be put in such a
| position that he may be the humble means
of helping San Francisco to realize her
dream of prosperity. Sitting here by the
| Golden Gate, our City has right to ex-
| pect the grandest destiny of any city on
the continent, and he will at all times be
ready to contribute his share in working
out and fulfilling that destiny.
Mr.. Phelan's remarks were well received
| by his hearers, and at tho close OF his
speech he was repaid by applause and a
round OF cheers.
William Broderick. Democratic nominee
| for Auditor, said he wanted to speak a
word for Mr.. Phelan.
1t was true that Mr.. Phelan had not had
any experience in municipal government.
but according to Mr.. Broderick's opinion.
Mr.. Taylor and Mr.. Dimond had not had
any more, so far as practical affairs 60,
since he said they had not accomplished q
single thing during their two years in
office. Mr.. Dimond, he said, had not been
in position to do anything, and mad not
tried to worry the majority into doing
right. AS to Mr.. Taylor, that gentleman.