The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-16
He Did Not Appear at
Metropolitan Hall.
TALKED TO THE POPULIsTS
PHELAN, BARRY AND HINTON
DISCUSSED POLITICS.
Berated the Railroad for Two Hours
and Did Not Tire-Lean
Toward Single
Tax.

What was announced would be q rous-
ing Democratic meeting in Metropolitan
Hall last evening turned out to be a dis
appointment to many In the first place,
despite the two bonfires and a band, the
hall was not over two-thirds full, but
most of all w. G. Bowman, an eloquent
speaker of Los Angeles, failed to appear,
as advertised, and the audience had to be
satisfied with number of orators who
have frequently appeared in public here.
Mr.. Bowman got OIL the train down the
road somewhere to address a gathering
of Populists.
L. M. Mansler was introduced as the
chairman of the evening by w. P. Law
Ter. The chairman said that his audience
looked like an intelligent jury. He then
made a speech on special privileges and
equal rights. He was followed by John
II. Marble, a young man of considerable
literary ability who is one of the most
frequent speakers upon the rostrum of
the socialists of this city. He enlightened
the audience upon matters OF ponucal
economy, and made a special plea for the
consideration of the candidacy of James
H Barry and a few others.
William M. Hinton, candidate for Rail-
road Commissioner, asserted that in the
present campaign all of the monopolistic
forces are arrayed on one side against
the people on the other. That is, the
railroad against the Democratic party.
He devoted considerable time To tGIllHB
all about the present litigation in the
great grain rate cases pending in the
courts.
John P. Dunn, candidate for position
on the State Board of Equalization, dis
cussed taxes, and presented a bewilder-
ing lot or figures on this line. OF thought,
which appeared to be appreciated, If not
fully understood.
James H Barry, candidate for Con-
gress was introduced and was received
with cheers. He said that he did not
think. the chairman did a kind thing IN
introducing him as an ex-convict. He
could not help it if he was sent to Jail for
five days for telling the truth. For this
he was punished for contempt that he
felt then and still feels Barry unbur-
dened his mind little against courts
and Judges who feel that they are above
the people and yet are the known tools
of corrupt monopolists. he next drifted
to single tax, and said that he himself
is a single taxer, and he wishes, as the
Republican papers state, that this was
a flowery speech in favor of single tax,
and added that neither this nor any other
tax is the real issue, but 1t is the rail-
road question, and the Republicans are
trying to throw single tax dust into the
eyes of the people so as to blind them
to the vital issue. The speaker then I'M
corked the Walls of his wrath upon the
Southern Pacific. and told what he would
do with this institution If he goes to Con-
gress and could have the power.
Referring to General w. H. l.. Barnes
speech in which the latter accused Ma
guire of being an anarchist. Barry said
that Barnes looks like an attorney for =
big railroad; he talks like one, he smells
like one, and, by -, he is one.
Dropping Barnes. whom he abused
of the Nicaragua canal and direct legis-
lation In conclusion, he said that the
candidacy of Joseph r. P. Kelly is at the
instigation of the. Southern, Pacific to
split the Democratic vote and elect Julius
Kahn.
Mayor Phelan arrived late. He urged
his hearers to support both the city and
State Democratic tickets, for one is as
important as the other. The Southern
Pacific. he said, is reaching out to gather
in both. as the railroad has great interests
in the city and State. Speaking of this
corporation. Mayor Phelau said that the
Southern Pacific had been robbing the
people Of the San Joaquin Valley for
years, as proved by the fact that when
the Valley road was built through that
country the rates dropped SO 1-3 per cent.
Several male quartets were the pleasing
features of the evening.