Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-11
SAN FRANCISCANS
FAVOR SEPARATION
DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN
DISCUSS QUESTION
Say the North VIII Not Make Serious
Objections to Division Of state
and II viii Be Better
for Both

ern California demonstrate that the
sentiment here is almost unanimous
as It appears to be, i'm favor of state
division, the people of Northern Cali
fornia would not oppose separation
but a majority of them would assist in
severing the ties"
''For political reasons 1 believe the
Democrats of the north would be in
favor of state division II the south
wants It, AS a matter of fact l believe
the two sections of the state would be
better off under two governments than
to be pulling apart, as they have been
doing and will continue to do"
These sentiments were expressed yes
terday by two business men of San
Francisco who are in Los Angeles for
few days. but who, for business rea-
sons, would not consent to the use of
their names.
One man said that in politics he is a
Republican, while the other declared
himself to be a Democrat.
Surprised by Division Sentiment
IT must say that 1 was much sur
prised to find the sentiment in favor
of division so strong here in Los An
geles and elsewhere in Southern Cali
fornia," said the advocate of Repubii-
can doctrines.
''Of course the newspapers of San
Francisco have published stories show
ing that there has been discussion
of state division, particularly in Los
Angeles, but L had no idea that 1 should
find the sentiment so strong and evil
IDENTIFY so nearly unanimous. l stopped
at three cities before reaching Los An
geles, and at all these points, which
are south of the Tehachapi, L detected
without inquiry that there is strong
undercurrent in favor of dividing Cali
H.. I-..A L. 7 IL
parently there is an open revolt, as it
were, against the north and everything
that is northern, including Ruefism,
Herronism, Schmitzism and all the
other isms that we have in San Fran
cisco.
Personally 1 do not blame you for
that, for quite a number of us in
Northern California are becoming tired
of the same thing and hope some time
to do away with these conditions. It
seems, however, that as soon as we get
rid of one undesirable feature even a
worse one arises. We are in hopes of
placing one or two men where they will
do San Francisco no more HARM al
though 1 hate to think of how the con-
victs at San Quentin will be demoral-
lied by the presence of certain men
among them.
Will Shed No Tears
LAS to how the north feels regarding
division Of course l am not in a posi-
tion to say positively, because the ques-
tion has not been discussed there to
the extent that it has here, but / be-
lieve that if the people of Southern
California demonstrate that the senti-
ment here is almost unanimous, as it
appears to be, in favor of division the
people of Northern California not only
would not oppose separation but ma
jority of them would assist in severing
the ties.
I'VE of the north, doubtless to
greater extent than those of this sec
ton, have a greater feeling of pride in
California as whole, because it is big
and great in many respects. Probably
this is due to the fact that a much
greater number of the people of the
north are native born, while the large
majority in the south have come from
other states of the Union. OF course
/ think that any man who has come to
California to make this state his home
has as much right to a discussion of
such questions as have the native born
Il cannot help but admit that there
has been a feeling of Indifference on
the part of the north for the southern
section and regret to see this feeling
growing. I hope that it will in time be
overcome, but if it cannot be it would
be better for both sections if they would
separate-then they would work either
in harmony or become friendly rivals"
Takes Practical View
''If the people of Southern California
really desire state division this is the
time to agitate the question:" declared
the second San Francisco man. For
political reasons I believe the Demo-
Gratis of the north would be in favor of
state division if the south wants it. AS
a matter of fact, believe the two sec
tions of the state would be better 1ff
under two governments than to be pull
ing apart, as they have been doing and
will continue to do.
Let me give you a friendly tlp-the
Democrats of Northern California
would like to have the chance of elect
ing two United States senators, while
all San Francisco and Alameda, to-
gether with a majority in other coun-
ties in the most populous sections Of
the north, want to remove the capital
to Berkeley.
I'm fact, they would rather let the
south step out of its own accord and
remove the capital to Berkeley than
to keep the state intact and permit the
capital to remain at Sacramento.
IF you can perfect some plan where
by the questions of capital removal and
state diviscion can be combined you
will win"
FaVors Organized Agitation
s. A. Butler, to whom credit has been
given for the reopening of the question
of state division, resulting in the pre-
vailing agitation, said last night that
he was glad to learn that movement
had been begun looking to organized
agitation of the question of dividing
the state, as he was certain that sue
cess would crown the efforts of such an
organization, backed, as it will be- by
practically the unanimous sentiment OF
the people of Southern California and
with the knowledge that the people OF
Northern California would not seriously
object to the south separating itsen
from the north, providing II showed a
disposition to do so.
Mr.. Butler expressed his belief that
under the provisions OF the constitution
of the United States, a state can divide
by mutual agreement, sanctioned by
legislative and congressional enact
meDt II this were not the case the