The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-27
REPUDIATED DEMOCRATIC TRUST.

THE Democratic Committee OF One Hundred
was an original trust invented and supported
by the Examiner Its theory was the subst1tt-
ton OF one-1nan power for the representative prn-
cple regarded as fundamental in American lnst-
tutions This and is the predominant character
istic OF Mr.. J. D. Phean, who, while catering
with certain degree of skill to special interests
in his search for popularity and influence, has unerr
ingly disregarded the underlying conception OF gov
eminent for and by and of the people
This party anachronism was the Democratic ma
chine in the last campaign. Produced and fondled
by the Examiner while catering to the socalistc ee
ment OF Our population, it supposed to lncarnate
all the virtues attributed sometimes to arstocraces.
The unity from which its appointment proceeded gave
to it tinge of imperialism. But the lofty and alb
sract independence OF its members and their intense
cgotsm in their pretentious role OF political reform
ers raised them to such height of sublimity that
ordinary Democratic voters gazed upon them with
an awe that was only matched by their determine
ton to pull them down from their pedestal, inscribed
with the blended names Of the Examiner and OF Mr..
Phelan.
They appointed the Democratic Municipal Conven-
ton and on the present authority OF the Examiner.
had about quarter OF their number nominated
for Office with the result that while Mr. Phelan was
saved by the skin of his teeth and by sacrificing every
else for himself, the ticket and the fusion it rep
resented were literally slaughtered at the polls.
But the Committee of One Hundred the Exam
iner and Mr. J. D. Phean survived. Like the fossil
lied Democrats OF Kentucky they actually announce
their own existence But what change in their
mutual relations has been revealed! 1t seems that,
while the Republicans, who are perpetually assalled
by the Examiner as the supporters OF every form OF
injurious monopoly, have been struggling, and with
fair prospect of success for such thoroughly pOpu
lar representation of responsibility, intelligence and
influence in their municipal convention as could not
fail to command public approval, the Democratic Com
mittee OF One Hundred has not only formazed its
rule OF self perpeuation but has determined reduce
its relations to the to the simplest and most
avowed mode OF political bosssm
1t is of course understood that each member of the
Committee OF One Hundred candidate in waiting.
Ii the Examiners suggestion be accepted and reso
luton of on-candidacy be adopted that be easily
handled by the continuance OF last years policy and
succession OF designations may be anticipated, But
Campaign Committee of Twenty has also been ap-
pointed so that the power of control may be further
concentrated and they to constitute an active
oligarchy within behalf OF the arisocratic hun
dred This simultaneous contraction and expansion,
however, appears to be only part OF the game AS
a great many clubs have been organized in the
eighteen Assembly districts, each presumptively
exponent OF Mr. Phelans nordinate ambition, the
plan OF autocratc government might fail, unless
mode OF natural or unnatural selection adopted
Mr. J. D. Maxwell hit the nail on the head He pro-
poses that the Campaign Committee designate what
the Examiner calls IAN authentic club" but what the
inventor OF the scheme and his associates described
AN official club which should bear the stamp OF
aristocratic Endorsement within each Assembly dis
trict.
It NJ e,1a,o n I'D
tation to the scheme of political management for
which the Examiner and Mr. Phelan are mutually
responsible certainly commend it to the favorable
consideration of the fusion or Phean Democracy.
But there are some obsreperous Democrats who have
the audacity to demand the election of Democratic
municipal convention by primary precincts, instead
of through the more easily handled Assembly dis
tricts A Mr. Larry Conlan, who has been known
as the physical leader OF the resuscitated blind boss
who so long guided the local Democracy by a string,
is actually malignant in his assertion OF the superiority
OF the Democrats of Minna, Stevenson, Jessie and
Brannan streets to the specialized associates OF Mr.
Maxwell.
There is certainly very pretty Democratic or fu-
sion quarrel actually raging. Quiet Republicans,
watchfu within their party, look on with
equanmty But the latitude OF the Examiner excites
general interest Why, like Saturn, does it seek to
devour its own offspring? Why does it now practi-
cay assal the system it naugurated? What is the
real milk in this new cocoanut? Have the Examiner
ard MIR Phean been divorced and has the bond OF
their union been violently disrupted they both
in the revolutionary movement OF which Mr.. Larry
Conlan is forcbe interpreter? These questions
t. which answers will have to be made, although
probably too late to serve any purpose beyond the
qualification OF curiosity.
The proceedings OF tonight will be observed with
enthusiasm but with certain languid interest
1t really appears that the Examiner is about to cease
from its assumed vocation factor in Democratic
affairs.