The San Francisco call., 1899-10-20
PHElAN AND DEMOCRACY
The Mayor Tells Republicans
That the Campaign Is Simply
a Nom Partisan Struggle
Of Good Citizens.

The Democrats of the Fortieth Assem-
bly District opened their ratihcaton
meeting last night TO the ominous strains
of Just as the Sun Went Down sgd
ney Van Wyck was introduced as the
chairman of the evening. He consider
ately declined to make speech on the
ground that he is a good Democrat.
With that consoling assurance he pre-
sented Mr. Osgood Putnam as the first
speaker of the evening. Mr.. Putnam
consumed considerable time in telling his
hearers what splendid men are associated
with him on the Democratic Supervisor
ial ticket AS an aid to his memory
the speaker frequently referred to a
printed list of the names of the nomi-
nees One would suspect that the orator
was an auctioneer, SO eloquently did he
recite the virtues of his fellow aspirants
r. p. Doolan was the next speaker and
entertained the audience with a some
what dreary autobiography. He promises
that he will be the best Tax Collector
ever elected. Lewis +. Byington follow
ed, and beyond tangling his feet in a
logical absurdity said nothing of more
than passing interest. He declared that
this is campaign where men and not
principles are to be supported, and upon
the heels of that assertion he insisted
that the charter and not men is the great
issue of the fight. Alfred ]. Fritz was
given an opportunity to say that three of
the nominees for Police Judge are abso-
lutely beyond reproach, and he will try
to be If given chance. P. J. Curtis
succeeded him and confined himself to
general praise of the ticket and a plea
for success. The oft-repeated cry of the
charter was evidently beginning to pail
At this point Mayor Phelan entered the
hall and was presented in the midst of
cheers, as the next speaker As the
Forueth District is Overwhelmingly Re-
publican, the Mayor adapted his remarks
to the circumstances. In the TWENTY
eighth District he knew nothing but De-
mocracy. Last night he knew no political
issues in this campaign He knew neither
Republicans nor Democrats-only good
citizens interested in municipal issues in
dependent of political divisions. He said
parties, that which is against the policy
he represents and that which supports his
principles. So he called upon all to vote
the Democratic ticket, which in this
struggle is in reality a non-partisan party,
whose nominees will know no party but
that of progress Having made this plea,
the Mayor gave an exposition of the
charter and its scheme of municipal gov
ernment Events of the past year IN off,
cial local circles We're reviewed monop-
olies were denounced, municipal owner
ship of public utilities was advocated and
the Republicans IS usual were denounced
James p. Booth followed the Mayor and
in a graceful address won the good VIII
of his hearers. He introduced a refresh
ing novelty and said nothing in praise of
himself. He spoke of the principles that
he and his superviSorial associates repre-
sent IN TINS campaign, ana asked the sun
RACES of those who endorsed the position
for which he contends. Thomas F. Ryan
contributed the not least interesting
feature to the entertainment by singing a
sentimental song and following II with one
of the coon variety.
Major Geary was even more fierce last
night than usual. His military record has
involved a nerve-racking strain in a con-
stant martial demeanor. The major is
still insisting upon straight ticket. When
he spoke last night Assessor Dodge and
his charts had not arrived. jeremiah
Deasy followed the major, but said Moth
ng qf SlSnDSShce 3nlnGS oIge @ sseHeriy Cole
Franklin X. Lane followed in quick sue
cesslon and Assessor Dodge and the
charts closed the meeting