The San Francisco call., 1899-11-15

lQ6 expressions on All SUES
y everybody is more than satisfied
with the progress made in the
direction of speedy results, and delegates
will be prepared this morning when they
meet again in Metropolitan Temple 10
get into the middle of things and marshal
a good working plan out Of the many Of
fered.
Four hundred and eighty-one delegates
answered present" yesterday morning IN
the maple hall of the Palace Hotel when
the roll was called. This unlocked Tor
response to the invitations Of the proVis-
ional committee had the immediate effect
of putting everybody In good humor. Inc
hearty welcome Of the Mayor made the
out-of-town delegates feel at home and
In the mood TO return the compliment to
San Francisco, which they did handsome
" by the nomination and election of f.
W. Dohrmann, president OF the Mer-
chants Association, as temporary chalr-
man, which choice later In the day was
made permanent, Mr.. DOhrmann 5 ntnesS
for the office becoming apparent during
the short hour Of the morning session
During the afternoon, when the conVen,
tiOn moved 10 Metropolitan Hall, ana
after the order Of business had been de-
ternined and permanent organization had
been effected, the real test OF the temper
of the convention was had. 1t was known
that, as far as such a condition could
exist without previous caucusing, the del
egates We're massed on two sides, those
1dNOIlnB state dlQ LOI water SlOL age, anu
those opposed. When the resolutions be-
gan to pour in for reading and discussion,
before reference TO the committee on res
OluUlons, there was an evident feeling OF
uneasiness among the delegates, as II
they expected something to drop Never
were delegates more agreeably surprised.
Plans were offered, II Is true diametTlc-
ally opposed TO each other, and their ad-
Vocates were equally eloquent, but all
through the long afternoon there was
manifested a spirit Of earnestness and
"a q
mon ground that left no room for bitter
ness. There was none, and II the actions
and expressions Of the delegates after
adjournment can be taken for anything
there viii be none.
No plan seems TO be more favored at the
present time than any other, but no fears
are voiced that it will be Impossible to
reach one. In fact, the signs are plain
that q practicable method viii be out
lined for future successful crusading Tor
the speedy storage Of the waste waters OF
the State. These signs have been thrown
out by delegates, who express a willing
ness, like Pillsbury of Tulare, to take
everything and anything in sight, so long
as II leads in the direction Of ultimate
success. They are not committed 10 State
bonds nor are they pledged TO exclusive
Federal aid. They will take both and
impound the waters Of the State as quick
ly as possible.
the convention, with the earnestness and
evident fairness of the Out-and-Outers OF
the other factions, that win tend to make
smooth the WOIh OF the convention.
The ceremonial attending the opening of
the convention was delightfully."- informal.
The assembled delegates were still in the
buzz Of early congratulations over the
large attendance, when a loud rapping
from the platform attracted their atten-
tion to the figure Of Mayor James D.
Phelan.
4 have been requested" he said, "to
call this convention to order
His words were greeted with applause
that testified that the popularity of San
ENranpicrA'C axAc11rfVa head extended a r.
ther than the confines of the city. He
raped some more and the delegates haV-
ing seated themselves, he extended
greeting Oh behalf of the city. He said:
I desire to extend the welcome Of
San Francisco to those gentlemen
from all parts of the State who have
come here TO unlte-I nope to unite
in some great measure for the bene-
fit Of California. There certainly
should be a common sentiment among
all the members of this convention, so
far at any rate as the benefits that will
accrue from the storage Of flood wat
ers are concerned. But as TO the best
means Of reaching that desirable end
there may be reasonable difference
of opinion.
I am not very familiar with the dis
cusslon which has preceded this con-
vention, but 1 am Informed that al
ready there are two parties-one con-
tending that it is the duty of the State
to provide for the storage of the flood
waters, and the other that II Is the
duty Of the Federal Government Now
there can be no doubt whatever in the
mind Of any one that if the Federal
Government would undertake this
work it would relieve California of a
great outlay; but, on the other hand,
so desirable is the storage of flood
waters that If there is any possibility
of losing this opportunity we should
not wait upon the Federal Govern
ment
So important. in my Judgment. is the
storage Of the storm waters of Cali
fornia that we must mike any sacri-
fee Of our personal N.ews to bring
about harmony Of action. l think the
two years Of drought we have had have
taught US the lesson that, no matter
what may be the outlay for this pur-
pose within reasonable bounds 1t
would well repay the State.
a great city like San Francisco is
complimented by. gentlemen coming
from all parts Of the State to meet
here A great city is the spokesman
for a great country. We have here a
metropolitan press to voice your senu-
ments We have here the men willing
TO come to your aid. These are the
natural advantages which come from
metropolitan activity we. are willing
TO lay at your feet. Without a pros
porous California In mines and fields
San Francisco would have no large
place on the map. We have plenty Of
water here at our doors for shipping
but we must have something to ship.
1 trust your deliberations will bring
about solution Of the great and i'm
portant question and the welfare Of
our commonwealth.
q am now ready" said the Mayor, "to
hear nominations for temporary chair
man"
7. f. Gibbons Of Los Angeles nom
mated F. w. Dohrmann in behalf Of
Southern California
Arthur r. Briggs, in behalf of the CEN
tral part of the State, seconded the nom
ination, and Mr. Dohrmann was made the
unanimous choice Of the convention. On
taking the chair he said:
When the ancients had entered upon
a war they generally proceeded before
q battle to offer up a sacrifice that
they might propitiate the gods: and
when peace had been ACCOMPLISHED
they again offered sacrifice to thank
the gods for victory. ] presume YOU
know what / mean without much fur
ther explanation. There seemed TO be
war in the air and San Francisco
wished to win. Looking around for a
victim to be sacrificed, they selected
me not for any of those qualities
which were usually requisite for sac
rifces in the ancient times when thev
selected young people of virtue and
many other good qualities. They Sc
Iected me because / was a negative
quantity in all those matters, and I
have to begin by stating to you what
I stated to them, that, while | am
willing to be sacrificed, my qualities
fall short Of those which are neces-
eary to preside over this convention
as II should be Done.