The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-07-22
THREE PARTIES
ARE REQUESTED
To JOIN HANDS
Commercial Bodies Address
Letter to the County
Committees
MAKE A STRONG PLEA
Ask That a Nonpartisan
Ticket Be Named
Immediately
FAVOR AMENDMENT
Direct Primary Advocated
by Call Endorsed in
Communication
FAVOR AMENDMENT

The trustees of the chamber of
commerce and of the Merchants
association have united in an en-
deavor to have the union labor,
tie democratic and the republi-
csn parties join IN the selection
Ct a nonpartisan ticket for the
November election. Letters con-
tanning this suggestion have been
addressed to the county commit
tees Of the three parties. The plea
;s made that if this plan should
prove Objectionable the three
parties adopt voluntarily the direct pri-
nary method and select their esndi-
Gates prior to the election for primary
aslsgaees.
rae letter eommends the proposed
srendraert to the state constitution
ovid'ug lcr the direct primary as
aIvocalsc by The Call and which the
last legislature voted TO submit to the
people. II is the object of the cham
Der, Of commerce and the Merchants
association 10 induce the three parties
70 agree upon one ticket, composed of
men representative OF the entire COM
mun,ty. The letter addressed to the
three county committees follows:
The trustees Of the Merchants asso-
citation and Of the chamber of commerce
being desirous Of removing all class and
partisan feelings and working to-
gether for the best interests OF our
city. DEile disciaiEsing any cesire or
intention Ct entering .zto 2z-tasSsl poll
tics. 5og 70 cugScst that in tnei5 cpIn-
ion the great majority of citizens are
similarly disposed and are only eager
for honesty and effectiveness in the ad-
minisrration Of municipal affairs with
out regard to class or partisanship.
Under such conditions we venture
TO suggest that your committee will
best serve your party at this time by
seeking the welfare of the entire COM
munity by arranging a joint ticket rep
resentative of the whole people, and at
the same time so selected as to COM
nand respect and confidence.
IF upon fair consideration this plan
should seem impracticable, we would
respected tly suggest the advisAbiiity OF
your taking the community into your
confidence as to your plans for the COM
ing campaign prior to the selection OF
your primary delegates.
BY act of the legislature there will
be submitted to the people of this state
at the next general election a constitu-
tionaI amendment permitting the legis-
Iature to enact that primaries shall
consist simply Of voting directly for
candidates for nomination and elimi-
mating from our political system con-
ventions, this reform having been
adopted very successfully already in q
number Of states.
s'As conventions have become merely
ratification meetings, this seems wise
and wholesome provision. In the in.
terest Of good government it has Sc
operated wherever tried.
1T appears to US that what the .peo-
pie are asked to enact as salutar3
and beneficial measure should bt
adopted at this time by the parties
voluntarily, that is 10 say, withoui
waiting for the command of the law
We accordingly urge upon you that in
the spirit of the amendment to the con.
stitution which the legislature decided
TO submit TO the people you select thu
best and most efficient men as youi
candidates and that you declare and
make public your selections prior to thu
election for primary delegates.
such action viii enable the public
TO Judge the character of the men sug.
Sested and cannot fail to serve th'
interests Of honest and intelligent gov
ernr.ent. always needed, but more thar
ever at this time.
"A similar communication is being
sent to the other party organization
and it is believed that your compli.
ance with this request viii do ava,
Continued on Page 2, Cs1mn o