The San Francisco call., 1898-10-07
OPINIONS ON THE
 DEMOCRATIC SlDESHOW
FRANK J. SYMMES EXPLAINS
 WHY HE RESIGNED.
Some Expressions From Delegates Who Attended the Non-Parti-
 san Convention.

The Non-Partisan convention having completed its labor of indorsing Demo- cratic candidates for office. the following opinions relative to the work of that body as expressed by some of those who at tended it's sessions are timely:
 Frank J. Symmes said that he would prefer not to be quoted regarding his opinion of the Non-Partisan' convention, having already openly expressed himself on the convention, and not wishing to pose as a disgruntled member. He did say, however. that what is honest and right In an individual is equally honest and right for an association of indi-
 If 1t is wrong for an individual to vio- late an obligation 1t is a greater wrong in a convention which claims to be trying to secure an honest administration of mu- nicipal affairs and demands pledges from it's candidates. When it was perfectly easy for the Non-Partisans to go before the people with good record 1t was ab- solute folly to publicly violate its own principles and destroy it's own influence It is no sin to nominate men from its own body, but suicidal to it's influence to do so unless they have clean record. Probably a more experienced man than l am in con- vention work would have presented the question in an acceptable way. Had Mir Sullivan proposed my motion 1t would surely have carried without discussion 1 would not fmpugn the motives of any member of the convention, but there was an influence there which I have not been Q. save one. were hypnotized into perfect si- lence. Mind you. I am not disgruntled just because my motion failed. and per haps l was silly to resign, but I am dead sure that nine-tenths of the members of that convention know that I am right
 Tt did provoke me to see that the con- Yention would build up such a magnificent platform of professed virtues and then not only knock out the best cornerstone of 1t but leave q keg of dynamite in its place for it's enemies to blow up the whole fab ric-and all because the suggestion to cart away the dynamite came from a new member in the ranks. Men must rise to broader principles if they expect to se- cure any permanent influence among the
 W. M. Abbott-I will not stultify myself by going in with the Non-Partisans again I was not willing to believe it SO but when the indorsement of Supervisors came doing partisan Democratic politics that I had enough of It. When they got nine of the twelve and tried hard to get a tenth think 1t Is unfair and not non-partisan by any means. Had they secured that tenth Supervisor there are many who would have left the meeting.
 John R. Hillman-l am we'll satisfied with the work of the convention. The ticket is a strong one. and I believe it will be so demonstrated on election day Mayor Phelan's administration has given such general satisfaction that there Is no good reason why he should not be reelected. I would have liked to have ct, but in a large number of cases the Democrats were to all appearances and after careful investigation found to be superior to those nominated by the Re publicans, and therefore there are more of the former on our ticket. I would,