The San Francisco call., 1896-10-08
James D. Phelan, His Rival,
Wanted to Arrange for
a Meeting"
A oNE-s1rED PROPOSITION.
The Raineyite Desired Joseph to Retire
in the Interest of Democratic
Harmony.

Joseph i. luO oAiA
Populist candidate for Mayor, will not
retire from the fight for that high Office in
favor of James D. Phelan, the nominee OF
the Raineyites and Non-Partis ans.
He stated so last night in a most en-
phatic manner, and expressed his surprise
that the rumor that he would had been
circulated.
''No, Stree, 1 will not retire." said he.
"Why should 1. To please Mr.. Phelan
Maybe he would like to have me leave
him a clear field. In fact he has shown
plainly that that is his wish. How
do l know he wishes it? Well, it
came about in this way. Several mu-
tual friends of Mr.. Phelan and mine
not politicians, but business men =
came to me at least a month ago and
asked me if l would consent to meet Mr..
Phelan. Great Scot! I've known Jimmy
Phelan for twenty odd years. and the idea
of mutual friends trying to arrange a
meeting between US upon Mr.. Phelan' s
request rather amused me. | asked them
what Mr.. Phelan wanted and why he did
not telephone that be wanted to meet me
instead of going about it with so much
red tape as though we were couple of
know what Phelan wanted, only that he
wanted them to arrange for meeting.
Tell Mr.. Phelan that will meet him.
Have him ring up on the telephone and l
guess we will settle the business in two
minutes. was what told the gentlemen.
'Well, l did not hear anything from
M. Phelan except through gentlemen
whom he sent asking for a meeting, and
always answered that Mr. Phelan and
could fix up meeting at any time.
However, there was a meeting with
Mr.. Phelan OF which 1 knew nothing until
it was all over. He and several of my
friends met and Mr.. Phelan stated to
them that he and 1 should do all in our
power to fix up matters in the interests of
harmony in the party. My friends agreed
that his remarks we're logical and they
asked him to state what he wanted and
how harmony could be effected.
''Mr. Phelan did not go to the point
directly, but said that the Democratic
party should be united, so as to present a
solid front to the common enemy. Again,
my friends agreed with him, but as he
would not suggest way by which this
state of affairs could be reached, my
friends took the bull by the horns and
made this proposition. 1t was this: That
l would retire. with their consent, as can
didate of the two parties l now stand for,
if Mr.. Phelan would retire, with its con-
sent, as candidate of the one party he
represents, and that the three parties
would come together and select another
candidate for Mayor who would be accept
able to the three.
But represent two parties,' said Mr..
Phelan. You forget that l stand for the
Non-Partisans also
MY friends told him that they were
not trying to arrange for harmony in the
Non-Partisan ranks. They were only
working for harmony in the Democratic
party. Mr.. Phelan declined to accept the
offer and my friends told him that il his
only proposition in the interest of party
harmony was that l should retire and
give him a clear field they would not
agree to have me step down; that. il
he was so anxious for harmony in
the Democratic ranks he should be
willing to make a concession. too, and
step down at the same time with me. Mr..
Phelan replied that he would not enter
tain the idea of retirng-no, not for a
second; not If ne suffered defeat of the
worst kind.
"That ended the meeting. While under
the circumstances of its termination
agreed with my friends in what they had
done and said | did feel that they had as.
sumed much responsibility in making the
proposition they did, as fact [ did
not know that would have felt bound to
have abded by their proposition. even il
Mr.. Phelan had accepted it, because it was
wholly unauthorized by me.
''ThIs matter of Mr.. Phelan wanting to
arrange meeting with me has puzzled
me considerably. / never knew Phelan to
be given to dirty work, that is, low politi-
Cal tricks, and l don't believe he would,
but l have wondered if ne wanted me to
call al his Office. If had gone there
would have been asked my name and
business by some young ofice-boy who
would have then asked me 10 send in my
card. After while he might have re-
turned and request ed me to be seated, as
Mr.. Phelan was busy. Probably 1 would
have sat in the outer office while poll
ticians would pass in and out and gaze al
me curiously.
"They would, without doubt, go out and
say that l was hanging around Jimmy
Phelan's Office trying to effect a compro-
mise. No, stree, don't do business thai
way. If man wants to meet me Pll see
him. If / want to meet anybody Ill &c
about it in straightforward manner anG
without any red tape.
''If any one thinks tnat l am going tc
retire, he is mistaken. / am in the light
to stay, and you can tell the public so with
all the force of plain language. I'll make