The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-23

7 OF anOlner year JACOB II. Neu Will
direct the destinies of the California
more has come out Of the seventh annual
convention. Yesterday, the second day
and last of this years session, meant
more TO Mr.. Neff than did all the honorS
that were heaped upon him in the recent
election that raised him to one of the
highest political offices in the gift of the
people of the State.
Nearly the whole day was given over
TO his eulogy, and the 250 delegates who
had gathered to the convention voiced the
love and esteem in which they hold their
veteran chief and contributed to his cleo
ton.
The coming election of Mr.. Neff was
heralded in the morning by Secretary
Julian SOnntag, who, against W. q. Rails
ton, had been making hard fight for The
Shortly after roll call Mr.. Sonntag quiet
ed the hustle and confusion among the
delegates, and turning 10 Mr.. Netf, said:
iSMr. Netf, if your honored self will
again accept the presidency of this asso-
citation l shall deem 1t my privilege and
pleasure to withdraw from the campaign.
No personal ambition of mine shall in
trude to mitigate the success that has
crowned this association under your guild
ance, and shall give you my undivided
support
< roar of applause rewarded Mr.. Sonn-
tag for his voluntary effacement. and from
right and left the delegates came to take
him by the hand and commend him for a
manly action.
Others followed Mr.. Sonntag, and in the
afternoon Governor Budd opened proceed
ings; 49, o... neo.,u
years ago off1ciated at my birth into pub
lie life. He was q private citizen then,
but in few weeks the same Jake Mem
is going to play pail bearer at my political
funeral. l am going TO make my talk TO
you a prophecy, and the burden OF 1t Is
that Mr.. Neff- Will hold longer term as
II fNFNV~ "a Nf
fOrnia than any otficer that was ever IN
Quoted into office. How much 1 have
thought of Uncle Jake Nen is matter OF
record, and how much of this association
my official actions on mining matters have
proved. and before l cease TO be an ofh
cial I want TO make a suggestion: That
is. that at the next Legislature you have
The $3.50 900 that the State has given you
for debris dams put aside in a special fund
so that it shall be out OF reach OF leglsla-
Il regret that my successor, Henry T.
Gage. one of the best men and most able
lawyers in the State, cannot be with you,
but 1 know that he is in heart and spirit"
Mai Or Mclaughlin followed the Cover
nor TO the stage to read a telegram of re-
gTet from Governor Gage. in which the
new executive gave renewed assurances OF
his friendship to mining interests.
EX-Congressman Caminetti presented
the report of the Debris Commission, and
Congressman Julius Kahn was called TO
the platform for q short pledge of his
voice and vote for all measures that may
mining.
President Neff then announced the spe-
cial order for the afternoon-the election
OF oflcers for the ensuing year, ana
turned over the gavel, temporarily, to
Colonel George NJ Stone.
The clang of Colonel Stones introduce
tory rap had scarce ceased sounding when
Judge Niles Searls of Nevada rose, turn
ed to his fellows, and said;
We have been Tor Years officiating ourselves
upon the harmony which has prevailed among
US CApplause) Universal harmony 1 think
may sa.i, mas prevailed now Tor seven years.
When We organized it was feared that the
intense antag 0nism between the farmers and
the miners would be intensified by our action
but the wisdom exhibited by our several con-
ventions, and by the officers whom we had
the good fortune to select was such that those
animCsltiss were swept away and to-day the
era Of good feeling between miners and agri-
Now We are largely indebted for this result
70 the equitable conduct OF the gentleman
whom we have had to preside over US. Cap
pause) His love of justice, his uniform ur-
banity to all with whom he came in contact
have been such that the whole people, ire
sHective of their vOcations have come to re-
spect and admire him. Well. it is sometimes
said when you get the right man in the right
place you had better keep him there CAP
Ny object here to-day. and my sole object,
is to keep him there tApplause.)
My action IS not put in motion by reason of
any objection I have personally to any other
gentleman who may have been who may
now be a candidate for the position of pres-
dent of this association. I know two of them
limited admiration FOR them, and were going
TO pick out two courteous, gentlemanly young
men from this audience I think Ralston and
Sonntag would be among the first I should
lect. But unfortunately their friends have
been more Jealous perhaps, than they have
and I think l fOresee that if shall elect
any one except our present president for the
next year will involve ourselves in peril,
and injure, If not the success, at least the
present financial status of the institution.
I know, Mr.. Neff, that you do not desire to
serve any longer president of the associa-
tion. ! know that you have labored long and
faithfully for l know you have said it
stated TO you last year II you would only serve
US Just this one more year we would excuse
you. Now let say If such a thing that
was said land like enough it was), It by
q Democrat, and 7 heard a stalwart Republican
say not six weeks ago that a Democrat wouln
lie on credit when he could get cash for tell
ing the truth
Again. sir. you said to the other day in
your address, which seemed like a farewell adj
dress. that you had served US for seven years.
Well. It IS not the first time that men have
served seven years and been disappointed.
A gain, 1t has been said that your position as
Lieutenant Governor and president of the
Senate may in some way which has never been
defined interfere with your duties as the presi-
dent Of this association. I cannot for the life