The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-05
THE "NoN-PARTISAN" FARCE.

n Ii the respectable Republican citizens who, as
I \ members of Deacon Fitch's Non-Partisan
convention, are being used to further the
schemes of the Democratic politicians who are now
running that so-called party, should Withdraw IN
medately and save their regulations. The Non
Partisan convention is nothing more or less than A
Democratic sideshow. Mayor Phelans brother-in-
law, assisted by Deacon Fitch (who ought to be IN
better BUSINESS have united to secure practically all
the Endorsements for the formers job-chasers
There is no question about this The record already
made up proves it.
The Non Partisans nominated Phean tor Mayor
before any other candidate had been named lhey
have Endorsed Phelans candidates for Sheriff, County
Clerk Tax Collector District Attorney and Ike
corder thus giving him in the event OF success the
patronage OF the municipal government and control
OF the Board OF Election Commissioners Tor next
years campaign. DR.. Dodge was slated tor Asses
sor but by some strange circumstance TINS part Vi
the bargain between the Non Partisans and Phelan
has fallen through The newspaper organ OF the con-
spiracy, however has been attacking Siebe ever
since he received the Endorsement OF the convention,
and the Pheanites are working hard to have him
taken down. They may yet succeed in doing So
All this makes it plain that the Non-Partlsans are
Democratic sideshow. AS moral reform party
their Endorsement is, therefore. vaueless We advise
Republican candidates to shun them. They have
united with Phean in attempt to capture the city
Offices and the legs of the Republican members OF
the convention are being pulled by the job-chasing
Democrats who controlled the Committee OF One
Hundred.
On the whole the spectacle is decidedly humiliating.
Heretofore an Endorsement by Deacon Fitchs party
has constituted sort of certificate of character. OF
itself it did not bring many votes but it strength
ened a candidate with his party and helped his cam
paign among respectable people. But in its present
aspect non-partisanisn is farce. AS Democratic
sideshow-the instrument of Sullivan, McNab and
Phe1an for getting the ofces-it is bowling fraud.
It can neither bring votes to a candidate nor
strengthen him morally with the people. All its in
dorsement can do is to prove that an aspirant for
Office eniovs the favor of Boss Phelan and his ring
OF patronage grubbers.
Probably it is useless to advise Mr.. Fitch to with
draw from the Non-Partisan convention, since he ap
pears to have enlisted for the with Boss Phelan
but nevertheless we feel constrained to offer him
word of advice.
Mr. Ftch's avowed purpose in practicing politics
is to purify the government. Like Brutus, his
pirations are elevated and elevating and however
base the motives OF his lieutenants, he is not believed
to share in them He thinks Phean is sincere and
McNab honest But how will it be, when, like
Brutus he is finally compelled to upon his
sword? He ought know that his leg is being pulled
by the Democratic patronage brokers, and that as
soon as they get their men in office they will throw
him and his moral reform ideas overheard. II Dea-
con Fitch cares anything for the reputation he has
heretofore enjoyed as sincere and intelligent man.
he should adjourn the Non-Partisan convention
without delay. If he keep on much longer the town
will have to provide him with FOOLS cap and stool.