The record-union., 1898-08-24
THE TWO STATE CONVENTIONS
COMPARED.

The merest tyro in observation and
study Of men cannot but be impressed
deeply by the marked dissimilarity be-
tween the Republican State Conven-
ton now in session in this city, and the
fusion Democratic Convention that i'm
mediately preceded it.
The latter was painfully lacking in
spirit. Even the most strenuous
efforts of the leaders failed to rouse the
delegates and onlookers to any marked
degree Of enthusiasm There was
permeating chill through the body that
was felt by even the least interested.
There was a nervous haste to get
through the disagreeable business of
fusion and retire for reflection. At one
point SO manifest was this tendency
that a special appeal was put forth 10
the delegates to remain and see the
thing through.
The session opened with a wrangle
between warning factions that con-
suned the better part Of two days, and
the cloudy influence of which over
shadowed the body to the moment of
the expiration Of it's life. There was
a noticeable lack of confidence among
the delegates: a woful feeling Of dis
trust throughout; a bitter antagonism
between leaders. There was among the
candidates for places spirit of un-
friendliness manifest which we do not
recall as having characterized any sim
liar body 1t was, in street parlance,
"a cut and dried program convention.
There was no patriotic or enthusiastic
aftermath, and especially no spirited,
dramatic, picturesque and national pre-
lude such as distinguished the arrival
of the Republican delegates in this
city for two days preceding the pres
ent convention. In short, it was a
nervous, constrained and uneasy body
of men, going through prearranged
convention duty without the spirit Of
earnestness and conviction that should
emphasize the work of a representa-
tive body fresh from the people.
But the Republican Convention came
on the high-crowning and strong wave
of patriotic and fraternal feeling, com
mon purpose, brotherhood and enthusi-
asln to do for the State of California to
its highest credit and for it's greatest
good. Among the candidates and their
supporting delegations nothing but the
most cordial friendship was manifest
All were HALL and we'll met" There
was in bearing. speech, march, song
and battle-crya a vim and patriotic spirit
an enthusiasm and generous but kindly
rivalry that infected every locker on
and brought the verdict to every lip:
This is going to be a splendid, q
thoroughly representative convention
California is to fare well at the hands
of these representatives. These are in
dependent, fearless and consciously
strong men,"
In the very opening Of the session
yesterday the patriotic outburst and
fervor. the enthusiasm and good feeling
were so prominent that it was impossi-
BILE to suppress manifestations of it, even
had the presiding officers of the body SO
desired. The Republican party is to
be congratulated upon this auspicious
beginning of the campaign. 1t proves
the party to be united in stronger
bonds than ever before since the days
of 81; to be a self-possessed, aggres-
sive, dignified and determined body, set
out for the purpose of achieving not
only the best results for the party, but
the highest possible good for the State
If this spirit remains dominant to
the end; If the unity, friendship and
enthusiasm continue; if there is nc
sacrifice of principle for expediency; il
there Is no subversion of the public
good for the qualification Of personal
ambitions, California will have reason
to be very proud Of the Republican
State Convention of 1898.