Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-09
PHELAN FOR GOVERNOR

The state Democratic convention or
{ .lifornia will he in session at sacra-
mento next Tuesday for the purpose of
nominating a state ticket and agreeing
upon a platform for the pending cam
paign.
More than usual interest is attracted
toward this gathering because the feel
ing everywhere prevails that the nom
inees and platform Of this convention
will be approved by the people
The situation Is more hopeful for
Democracy than It was even four years
ago, when Franklin X. Lane was de-
clared defea ted by only 1900 votes, and
hence the desire is universal that the
best available material be selected for
candidates and the wisest popular de-
mands be expressed in the platform.
For governor there are already some
half a dozen "favorite sons" men of
ability and standing, both as partisans
and citizens, for whom. under ordinary
circumstances, Democrats would be
glad to cast their ballots. But this is
not a situation where favorite sons only
should be considered in the final deter
mnation. There is only one question
before the onvention-namely Who is
the most available man, regardless of
his candidacy?
The Herald believes now that there
is at least one distinct and emphatic
answer to this question, and it is
JAMES D. PHELAN OF SAN
FRANCISCO.
In May last The Herald published an
editorial calling attention to Mr. Phelan
as one of the available men who could
be secured for governor. Afterward
our own distinguished citizen, Mr.. Cole,
was asked to become candidate, and
The Herald promptly agreed that ! r.
Cole was also a highly proper man for
the nomination. But even Mr.. Cole
expressed himself favorable to Phelan-
both publicly and privately-and there
is no doubt his sentiments in this re-
spect remain unchanged.
Mr.. Phelan seems to meet all the re-
H. Ill
candidate. He is known throughout
every section of California. He was
twice mayor of the great city of San
Francisco, and is still referred to as
1.-The best mayor San Francisco ever
had" He is now chairman of the re-
lief committee in that city, devoting his
time and money to it's rehabilita ton
He is successful business man. with
wide experience in public affairs. He
holds the full confidence of the common
people. appreciating their needs and
showing the courage of his convictions
in fighting for them. In short, Mr..
Phelan measures up fully to the stand
ard required, and he should be pressed
into service.
The word pressed is used advisedly,
for it is thoroughly understood that
Mr. Pheian is not only not a candidate
but he will not be inclined to even ac-.
cept a nomination unless 1t be shown
that his services are demanded by the
party with a marked degree of unanim-
ity. He appreciates the honor of the
mention of his name, but hestates be-
cause his position in San Francisco af-
fairs is so important that nothing short
of a unanimous call from his party
could persuade him to accept the higher
honor of the governorship, He feels
that a vast deal of responsibility for
the quick recovery of San Francisco
from it's desolation has been placed
upon his shoulders by his felow-citi-
zens, and that he ought not to consider
anything else unless it should be of
paramount public importance. This, as
we understand it, is Mr.. Phelan's po-
sition, and no man can say that it is
not patriotic, self-sacrificng and char
acteristic of the man.
With Mr.. Phelan's availability so
plainly marked, there is hardly a doubt
but what the democratic convention will
ask him to accept its nomination as
governor of the state.
And such a nomination would mean