Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-08
FEARED
BY REPUBLICANS
SEE CHANCE OF VICTORY FOR
DEMOCRATS
Prediction ls Made by Delegate tc
the Republican Convention
That Phelan Can Be
Elected
ny A STAFF coRREspoNDrNT

ny A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Special to The Herald.
SANTA CRUZ, Sept. THE Southern
Pacific excursion, as a lifelong Re-
publican tersely characterized the state
Republican convention was concluded
today, although officially 1t was brought
to a close yesterday when the candl-
dates selected by the railroad interests
formally were placed in nomination.
'If the Democrats of California ever
had a golden opportunity to elect a
state ticket they have it now" said
one of the delegates as he started for
the depot this morning.
And this particular delegate ad-
mitted that he voted for Gillett, but
he explained that he is tied to the
Southern Pacific machine.
1--WE have nominated Gillett, but we
have not elected him." is a significant
remark made by dozens Of delegates,
many of whom are known to have
voted for the slate from top to bottom
Democratic Victory Predicted
"1f the Democrats nominate James
D. Phean they will elect the next gov
ernor as sure as fate, IL not the en-
tire ticket" was the emphatic decla-
ration of an old-time Repu ublican and
1.-The ticket nominated today Is a
Southern Pacific affair from top to
bottom" he continued and every de-
cent Republican in the state should
blush for shame at such an open
demonstration of corporation control
in Republican affairs of California.
II am not saying this for publication
or for effect, neither will L declare how
1 shall vote, but l expect to see Gill
IyotA = Il >
Even those who profess to believe
that Gillett is the best man the Re-
publicans could have nominated ex-
press fear of the outcome should the
Democrats nominate Phelan at the
convention to be held in Sacramento
next Tuesday.
Damper on the Conve ntion
Throughout the proceedings of the
convention there was an absolute abb
sence of enthusiasm usually displayed
at state conventions held by political
parties.
1t was con needed on every side that
the slate had been made up by men
employed by the Southern Pacific. The
names of party leaders, both national
and state, were not greeted by the
demonstratiVe applause that might
have been expected, and the reading
Oh Jne plaIIOr1n was not once inter-
rupted by cheers.
Former Judge McKinley's advice, in
his speech as temporary chairman of
the convention, to stand pat" on the
tariff was received almost in silence.
Relief From Dull Routine
The only enlivening features were
Dorsey Patton's humorous speech, the
attempt by Abe Ruef to bring about
the nomination of Miss Kate Adams of
Napa for superintendent of public in
struction, and the Summerland-H Hen
derson contest" for railroad commits
sioner.
Otherwise the convention was very
much on the routine order. The old
warhorses of the party showed no
indication of smelling the smoke of
battle from afar," but instead they
gave visual evidence of smelling the
smoke from the Southern Pacific ma
chine from very close quarters,
1t is safe to say that the Republicans
of California will display more than
common interest in the doings of the
Democratic convention at Sacramento
next week.