The San Francisco call., 1898-08-25

CALL HEADQUARTERS, SACRA- MENTO. Aug 24. - The Republican State convention is nearing the end of it's labors. Five of the executive of ficers have been placed in nomination, most of the district conventions have made their choice and tomorrow the remaining standard bearers of the par ty will be chosen.
 Events have crowded quickly upon each other to-day. The convention hall has been crowded morning, afternoon and night. Scenes of excitement have relieved the monotony of nominating speeches and the enunciation of polit- ical principles. Several spirited con- tests for honors have been fought and won. Henry T. Gage of Los Angeles will make the race for Governor and Jacob H. c|eff of Placer will be his associate for the position of Lieutenant Governor. Justices T. B. Mcfarland and w. c. Van Fleet have received re- nominations and Charles F. Curry will strive for the position of Secretary of State.
 The renomination of Justice McFar- land has created a great deal of discus sion and unfavorable comment. It Is openly charged that the railroad has surreptitiously exerted an influence in favor of Mcfarland and through its power has secured for him the honor sought.
 Before the contest had progressed far enough to suggest in McFarlands S candidacy a danger to the State The Call sent forth warning and a pro- test. Many of the delegates found an answer to both, but their opposition availed nothing. A majority of the delegates placed the aged Judge upon the ticket to add to 1t weight that will do it no good.
 During the proceedings of the day George A. Knight furnished the inci- dent that created the greatest excite ment. The convention had subsided into comparative quiet after the storm of enthusiasm that marked the nonina- tion and acceptance of Henry T. Gage. Jacob H. Neff, the nominee for Lieu tenant Governor, had been in the hands of his friend for eulogy and ad- vancement. Then George A. Knight appeared on the scene to disturb the deliberations and attack the motives of the great body of delegates. Knight and his allegations supplied an incident that has had few parallels in the his- tory of the State
 This excitement of the afternoon ses- sion furnished a theme for the most earnest discussion among the dele gates and the throngs of politicians now assembled at Sacramento. When George A. Knight presented himself on the platform to rail at the convention and insult by unsupported insinuations the delegation of which he was mem- ber a murmur of anticipation was heard throughout the great pavilion.
 Knight would cease to exist" some one said. If he could not live on noto- riety If his associates will not give him the center of the stage he will seize 1t and we may expect him to adopt his customary plan."
 The fear of the speaker was not un- founded Knight arose to present the name of one candidate and in the pre- sentation to disparage the aspiration of another He threatened the San Fran cisco delegation with an expose of con- ditions of which the general body knew nothing, and of which the speaker ex- plained nothing. He announced that because his associates refused to ac- cept his domination they had fallen be-
 
 manner in which the insult was pub licly cast created a great deal of excite ment and intensified rather than modi- fled the angry mood of the convention But Knight persisted in attacking the convention itself, charging the exist ence of a programme" and admitting the startling fact that no public man in California Is a greater "programmer'' No l@<1 t,ay on the programme" The speakers confession upon platform before near ly two thousand people received the response of a hiss and sheer.
 The members of the San Francisco delegation were enraged and those of the general convention were hurt Both felt the sting of the insult hurled at themselves, and both resented in angry words the clumsy attack that Knight had made upon Neff. of whom no one before had dared to speak aught ex- cept in tribute due to distinguished ability and untarnished fame.
 Many in the convention hall remem- bered that four years before George A. Knight had been the '.programmer'' chairman of the Republican State con- vention. Many remembered that even as a ''programmer" he violated his compact and his own public confession to obey the contract implied in pro grammer." The San Francisco delega- tion determined that under the condi- ton Knights unwarranted bitterness should be punished. At the conclusion of the afternoon session of the conven- tion indignant groups of San Fran ciscans gathered on the street corners and in the hotel Hobbies to discuss the affair. It was proposed to call a spe- cial session of the delegation from the metropolis to denounce Knight and deny his insinuations.