The San Francisco call., 1899-10-05
HORACE DAVIS
TO LEAD THE
REPUBLICANS
He Will Accept the
Nomination.

The Republican Convention tonight
will doubtless nominate Horace Davis for
Mayor. and his friends assert that he will
accept the nomination. The people of San
Francisco we'll know that Mr.. Davis rec
ord as @ man and a merchant is without
q hlemish; hence they were astonished
and. dlsgusted 10 hear that he was vicious
" assailed yesterday by a subsidized
evening journal. The personal and politi-
cal friends Of Mayor Phelan We're first TO
condemn the assault, asserting that the
hayDr would not COuntSnanCe or approve
such tactics as political warfare.
Republicans hold that the purpose OF
the assault was TO drive Mr.. Davis from
the field and compel the convention TO
select another nominee. Inc onslaught
ls therefore regarded as a tribute to the
strength and popularity OF the proposed
Horace Davis is an honorable candidate
The record of his public and private lifo
can be spread before the world. he is not
a weak or Jimid man. prone TO take alarm
at newspaper attack.
In general convention last night he
spoke of the evening papers assault with
out mauiLes-ing the least sign Of tr6pi-
dItiOu or resentment. He recognized the
general feeling that business men of high
character often refuse 10 accept public
service IN order 10 secure immunity from
the raids Of the subsidized press. If his
purpose 70 accept the Republican nomi-
nation Tor Mayor was not nXed before the
evening papers TRADE was published II
was nNed shortly after the publication.
He cannot be intimidaued.
The key note OF the campaign of the
opposition was sounded in the cry against
Horace Davis. The plan is to assall men
who employ labor, invest money and dis
play enterprise in promoting the prosper
lty and advancement OF the city.
Irving N. and Henry I. Scott are
whacked because the opposition paper
suspects that one or the other may accept
leadership Of the Republicans in the event
Of Mr.. Davis declination. +. w. Dohr-
mann would be roasted alive If he had
not positively declined to accept a place
on the Republican ticket.
If Horace Davis were regarded as a
weak or vulnerable man the attacks
would be deferred until his nomination.
The attack beforehand is manifestly made
to influence delegates against him and
prevent his selection as the leader Of Re
pub.ican- in a campaign for good govern
meut and municipal prosperity.
The Democrats have nominated James
j. Phelau for Mayor and he is respected
as a representative citizen. The Repubn-
cans have slgnined purpose 10 nominate
Horace Davis. Every one regards Mr.
Davis as a representative citizen Of high
character The hope has been fre-
Quently expressed that each party would
put forward a respected citizen as it's
leader and that the campaign would be
fought out on party lines. 1t was hoped
that the campaign would be free from
acrimonious assault and personal Vilif1-
cation. The mud-slinging propensity Of
the subsidized evening journal, therefore
surprised Republicans and Democrats
alike.
The primary election law was founded
on the principle Of party responsibility.
Leaders of each party advocated the en-
actment Of the law: The delegates to the
various municipal conventions were
chosen under party designations Tie
nominations have been made on party
lines and party lines cannot be obliterated
at the polls. The Democratic municipal
ticket viii receive the support. Of the
Democratic press and the Republican
ticket viii be sustained by the Republican
press. The party that wins will gain
Vantage ground in California for the
great contest in 1900, but that gain will
not release it from strict accountability
for the administration of municipal
affairs.
Oil Exchange Opening.
The OIL EXCHANGE ON Pine street will