The San Francisco call., 1899-10-03


IL caucus at Bnai Birth Hall last
~ night engaged the attention Of as
\ pirantS for municipal office. One
hundred and eighty-one delegates
participated in the proceedings and re-
newed their determination to stand to-
gether in the main convention tonight.
The committee appointed to recommend
candidates for the Board of Supervisors
reported progress and promised to submit
a list of names to the caucus tomorrow
evening.
An animated session of the committee
on platform and resolutions Judge Schell
chairman was held at the hall before the
caucus was called to order. Delegate
Joseph X. Jones of the Thirty-seVenth
Assembly District came in late and ascer-
tained that a plank of education which he
had presented at a previous meeting was
eliminated or abridged. When the fact
Of the ahridgment was made known TO
him he impulsively withdrew the entire
plank and plainly indicated that his as
sociates had not acted in good faith. He
declared that the educational plank had
not only received the Endorsement of the
subcommittee but had been accepted by
the whole committee. He sought to as
certain the reason why 1t had been reject
ed in his absence. His demand for light
on this branch of the subject elected the
statement that the executive committee
did not commend the resolution. The sug-
gestion that outside influences had been
invoked aroused the ire of Delegate
Jones. He reminded his fellow-members
that the sentiments expressed in the reso-
luton met the unqualified cOmmendatiOn
of President David Starr Jordan of the
Stanford University and other progressive
educators.
Following is the plank which Judge
Schelrs platform-builders decided to mend
or reject:
In harmony with the genius of our Govern
ment and the traditions of the Republican
party, we believe that there is vital rela-
ton between intelligence and freedom, and that
education is the essential equipment of full
orbed citizenship. To the extent that 1t is
general and competent, to that extent are poll
lively conserved and political duties adequately
appreciated and faithfully performed.
free, self-govern!ng people must not only
be an educated people, but that education
must meet the demands of the increasing COM
plexity and competition Of our day, and the
marvellous unfoldtEgs of life and mind in and
about
In so far as this municipality can legiti-
mately foster, 1t should supplement the efforts
of great universities in giving our com
monwealth a higher conception of citizenship
and a clearer view of its functions and privi-
leges. Furthermore, up to like measure, IT
should aid the same influences in not only max
ing San Francisco and its environments the
intellectual center of the state, but also the
educational objective Of the Pacific Coast. To
this end our common schools should nave a
larger share of public interest and municipal
care. The curriculum thereof should keep step
not only with the demands and eventualities
of practical life, but also plant the inctplent
germs at least, of that mental equipoise and
wise determinatve judgment which should
characterize the sovereign unit of a free peo-
pie The teachers should be the best the pro-
fession can furnish. Incompetence should have
no place in the School Department no matter
how high the social position strong the
political influence The best is none too good
and should be paid for at a rate and In a way
r. secnre the hest A cheap school teacher is
the dearest article IN which a republic can in
vest Hence the financial affairs of the School
| tel1A1 ha Hrflin n
discretion and honesty as to amply provide for
full and prompt payment Of its teachers sal
aries.
sible dishonesty in an individual. In brief
the Republican party pledges itself to place our
public schools in the highest state OF efficiency
educatonally and financially.
1t would be no surprise If the war over
this plank should be carried into the main
convention tonight.
At one stage of the proceedings the eau
Gus was on the verge of a tumult. Chair
man Kellogg saw the danger ahead and
averted a scene of disorder. A delegate
who was evidently displeased at the
report of the committee appointed to pass
upon the merits of aspirants for Police
Court Judge insinuated that the report
was not honest. A dozen delegates sprang
up to ''hurl back the insult. Delegate
l. J. Truman Jr. created a sensation by
hints of disclosures made in executive ses-
sion of the committee. He said charges
had been made and sustained which re-
1ected on the honor of two candidates
who had been eulogized in nominating
speeches Mr.. Truman said that he could
not mention names. but intimated that
prominent attorneys had made and proved
the charges before a secret session of the
Chairman Kellogg called the caucus to
order promptly at $50 o'clock. A rollcall
being taken, it was found there Were few
absentees among the delegates. The chair
announced that the first order of busi-
ness would be the nomination of a City
and County Attorney, but there being no
nominations the matter was passed. A
call was then made for the report of the
committee on Police Judges
Delegate Edmond TausZky arose and ad-
vised that before the report was made