The San Francisco call., 1905-02-25
TINE TO GUST
THE CRAFTERS
Citizens of San Francisco Are
Bent on Better Manage
ment of Their Local Affairs
MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN
Party Leaders Assert That
Primary Election Law Is
the Best Agency at Hand

Citizens deeply interested in affairs
of local government predict that the
municipal campaign in San Francisco
will open early this year and be con-
Quoted to the finish with a vim and
vigor that will surprise the Oldest in
habitant.
In the several Assembly districts of
the city the political leaders of each
party are taking soundings to ascertain
the depth OF public sentiment in favor
of purely non-partisan ticket. The
campaign will probably open up in
good earnest soon after the Legislature
adjourns. 1t is remarked in every po-
litical camp that the citizens intend to
make a strenuous contest for better
local government, but opinions vary as
to methods and details of organization.
The Republicans are naturally eiated
over the magnificent victory Of last
November and many of the district
leaders contend that the party is strong
enough to cast out the bosses and call
a convention that will nominate a
ticket that cannot fail to command the
support of the best citizenship of the
metropolis.
A leading Republican yesterday re-
viewed the situation in this fashion:
a d
ministraton since the adoption of the new
charter. Under the plea of special knowledge
concerning the new charter the Democrats rode
into power and for several years administered
the affairs Of local government Then the
Union Labor party got the upper hand and f.r
nearly four years has handled the reins OF
authority
GOVERNMENT is BAD.
1t is admitted on all sides that the CITY is
not anything like we'll governed now as II
was under the old consolidation act, but the
tact should be kept in mind that the
direction of a Mayor chosen by the Republican,
party. In 1903 the Republican municipal con-
vcntion cast out the bosses and gave the peo-
pie opportunity to vote for Henry I
Crocker. but the adroit politicians of the old
machine pulled the wool over the ewes of tho
of the forces that were standing for good gov
ernment and the result was the defeat of both
doubtful whether candidate more acceptable
than Mr.. Crocker could be found to enter the
Nifty lack of confidence in his interritv or
lack of respect for his ability 1t signified
however. that well-meaning Republican mer-
chants took the advice of Democratic leaders
ana voted for Mr.. Lane, who was not able to
carry single Assembly district of the city
The Republicans are the most independent of
voters. For example, James d. Phelan re-
ceived his most pronounced majorities in the
strongest Republican Assembly districts and
lar Democratic party. The Republicans of
the city can be relied upon to support good
OF the Republican local convention to nominate
the right kind of man. In view of the re-
sponsfbilites of this coming campaign the Re
publican citizens of every Assembly district
should take the initiative in the battle for
honest and clean administration of local af-
fairs. They ought to put in the field such a
ticket as Democrats would be bound to sup
port Phelan Democrat was elected twice
by Republicans. Why should not Democrats
standin for good Republican Mayor?
DEMOCRATS ARE GUESSING.
In the Democratic camp there is a
deal of conjecture concerning the ap-
preaching municipal campaign. An in
fiuential Democratic leader inclines to
the opinion that good conventions can
be obtained through the agency of the
primary election law. He doubts the
wisdom of advising good citizens tc
keep away from the primary polls in
order to preserve their right to petition
for an Independent place on the official
ballot He fancies that the Republic
can and Democratic local conventions
might reach a common choice on a
candidate for Mayor
There is an agitation in both Repub-
lican and Democratic ranks for high
class conventions under the primary
/ election law