The San Francisco call., 1901-10-30

~ = n
and both were heavy with piati-
tudes. He was to have delivered a third
address at the Potrero, but his managers
thought it would be too much of strain
on his health, so that district was not
visited by him. The voters of the Potrero
in consequence will have to be content
with reading what he said at the ether
halls.
The meeting of the Fortieth District
Republican Club at Franklin Hall, on
Fillmore street, near Bush, was first on
the itinerary. Mr.. Wells arrived early,
accompanied by Sam Shortridge, Lucius
Solomons, ]. c. Wilkins, Charles Corey,
didates and orators. When Mr.. Wells ar
rived the small hall was partly filled with
voters. There were fully as many ladies
in the gallery as there were men down.
stairs.
Colonel j. C. Giesting escorted Wells to
The platform. AS they proceeded toward
the Stage there was considerable kissing.
Cheers were given for Tobin, finally cul-
minating in a demonstration for Mr..
Wells. Colonel ]. c. Glestlng presided
and called the meeting to order. After
a song by the Waterman Sisters, entitled,
Il Don't Care if L Never Wake Up MI
Wells arose and made the longest speech
he has as yet delivered. He spoke as
follows:
Wells Extraordinary Effort.
great Republican district one Republican who
Should not vote for at this coming cleo
s0n DO en not kRem Rnnbican ' have aIWays used
my best efforts in the interest of good govern
ment, and if you should elect me to that great
office / shall feel my responsibility to you
shall feel that 1 must and will do everything
that becomes honorable gentleman to do in
the interest of the people. 1t has been said
that l belong to some of these big corporations,
to the money kings, to the bosses, and DO
not know what else. 1 have been charged with
m
being wrong, not just what 1t should be,
but know that those charges are all untrue
1t has been said that 1 was a~Prohibitionist,
believe. l don't know where they ever got
that from. 1 certainly never was drunkard. |
of whisky, and l always keep the finest kind
of liquors in my own house, but l am not
drunkard 1 do not associate with drunkards.
do not frequent those places with side doors.
do not go down on the Barbary Coast and tell
you will have an open town here that you can
run all night and do what you have mind
to-" have been charged with that. even. A
committee visited me not long ago to have me
explain something that 1 advocated very
strongly in the Legislature There is one place,
ladies and gentlemen that / have not reached
yet. 1t is the Legislature Now they wish me 7
to make some pledges regarding this Geary-
pledge a man can make in that respect. That
is a question that belongs to the people
not to the Mayor not wholly to the Sunervisors
The people have something to say about that |
and yet 1 understand that the Mayors who |
are associated together in some way say they
L really cannot understand what they want in |
that respect. The charter clearly points out !
what to do in that matter and our platform |
upon which 1 stand clearly defines those ques-
tions But after ALL ladies and gentlemen, it |
depends upon the man largely, upon what We
will do with these great public questions. I |
have been business man, very busy man /
with affairs, all my days l have walked up I
rightly. Nobody charges me with any bad !
faith. One place downtown in business |
thirty-five years. 1 visited that place to-day !
put in a whole afternoon round among my |
old acquaintances, and it was a pleasure I I
met with such cordiality from working |
men coming from all around in every direction
to me- shook hands with me; recognizing !
me man that had been the workingman's |
friend for many years. / had been charged
with being opposed to the eight-hour law and
other ways. not friend to the common peo-
pie. That is all untrue. Years ago 1 used to
run my planning mill ten hours. 1 paid large
wages. I reduced the hours, and up to the
last day 1 ran my mill 1 paid my men the
same wages paid them twenty-f five years ago
1t is not pleasant my friends for me to make
all these explanations. 1t would rather seem
that 1 on the defensive. That is not the
case. Those who know me best know that I
have no occasion to make any apologies. La
dies and gentlemen, 1 thank you for this re-
ceptiOn.