Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-17
STATE CONVENTION OPENS AT
FRESNO MONDAY y
THREE CANDIDATES IN FIELD
FOR CHAIRMAN
Theodore A. Bell Surprises Toland
Supporters by Insisting Senator
Stanford of Mendocino Be
Named for Place
BY w. X. WILLIAMS

SAN FRANCISCO, May 16.-Accord-
ing to best advices the program of Nc
Nab and his element is for the Demo-
cratic convention, which meets at Fres-
no Monda to name Theodore A. Bell
of Napa, r. NJ. Fitzgerald of Oakland,
Mayor A c. Harper and Nathan Cole
OF Los Angeles as the delegates at
large to the Denver national conven-
tion.
McNab before leaving for Fresno this
afternoon said he was sure that Fitz-
Gerald and Bell would go, leaving the
other two places to Southern Califor-
mia, as Harper and Cole hurried here
after the primaries and saw McNab.
The contest in this convention will
not be settled by the election of chair
man, as other candidates will be pre-
sented for delegate. and Harper and
Cole may not be successful. There Is
strong opposition to Fitzgerald.
Theodore A. Bell said today that
neither McNab nor any other man
would control the convention. The
convention will not be so divided,
said he, that it will be fight against
McrJab. The convention must come
out in plain words against corporate
dominance, AMI must name men who
are free from any alliances. The con-
vention must instruct for Bryan, and
If McNab does not want this done 1t is
none of the party's concern. L nave no
objection to McNab being the boss OF
the San Francisco Democracy, II 1t
wants him, but neither he nor any
other man with a program will be IN
fiuential on the floor of the conven-
tion."
Bell Promised Support
Speaking of the triangular fight for
chairman, Mr.. Bell said he did not pe-
lieye there would be much d1mculty IN
settling things so far as Toland ana
Sanford were concerned. He SAID sen
ator Sanford Ias an active antagon st
of southern Pacific influence in politics
and that he (BelD had promised 10
support his candidacy long time ago.
The McNab candidate, according to
the slate makers, is Nicholas Bowden
of Santa Cruz, said to be southern
Pacific attorney.
McNab. l.owever, says Bowden is not
his candidate and that he does not
even know whether Bowden Is a can
didate. McNab also declares ne mas no
candidate.
! ST am more interested in measures
| than men" he said. ST want to see the
F, Democracy freed from all corporate IN
Auence I want it to nominate only
men of integrity and competency l
want the direct primary law extehueu
to ALI for in it is cure for many Oh
our political deficiencies. 1t Is time 10
do away with conventions. am III
favor of the referendum"
Asked as to whether he favored m
structions for Bryan, McNab said he
could only answer that the san rrana a., :
cisco organization, which controls the
delegation, had indorsed Bryan ana
pledged it's delegates for him.
FRESNO. May 16-According to lat
est deyelopments the Democratic state
convention, which will meet mere To-
morrow, will have three Candidates Ior
permanent chairman. They VIII pe
Nicholas Bowden of santa CRUZ
Southern Pacific attorney, ana the l can
didate of Gavin McNab, the San Fran
cisco boss: Thomas o. Toland of Ven-
tura and Senator Stanford of Mendo-
cino.
And the strangest thing seems to be
that the third candidate is brought out
nv Theodore A. Bell, prospective chair
man of the Denver convention.
| When McNab brought out Bowden
for chairman and placed Bell on MS
delegate slate 1t was In the hope OF
reconciling Bell to the McNab program.
which included sending an uninstructed
delegation to Denver. Bell disagreed,
and 1t was understood assured his sup
mort for Thomas o. Toland of Ven
| tura. Upon that assumption large
following of the delegation, including
those of Los Angeles county, has de-
clared for Toland II Bell insists that
Senator Stanford must run. and ne
gives an early promise as the reason
for his insistence. the strength of the
| opposition to McNab VIII be Spit on
the most vital thing.
k17<
iusted is not known. but it appears GER
| tain that IL both Toland and Stanford
are candidates, Bowden must surely
win. 1t is understood an effort Will be
made to bring the Toland and STANFORD
factions together.
Little Hope from Locals
Bell seems to he seeking the light
ming, for his activity against McNab
has led the boss to declare that James
d. Phelan of San Francisco shall go as
delegate at large in place of Bell.
Those who hope to wrest control OF
the convention from McNab and his
Southern Pacific allies are not banking
yery heavily on the Harper-Cole ele-
ment of Los Angeles county to assfse
them. The recent visit of Mayor Har
per and Nathan Cole to San Francisco
is not reassuring to those opposing me
McNdD STATE. bub WhotONSi ~
there promises to be a stubborn fighr
for the control of the convention. ana
it is up to Harper and Cole to choose
their sides. Both declare themsei
stanch friends of Bryan and ant
Southern Pacific. and the Fresno corr
vention will likely give them abundant
opportunities to make their positions
clear.
The McNab literary bureau. operated
out of the San Francisco Chronicle ot-
flee, is declaring that the chairuian-
ship is merely fight to see wnethsf
McNab or Max Pepper of San Fran
cisco shall be boss. In order that ne
may not be misunderstood Mr.. PoI ar
has announced that he will not att lA
the Fresno convention, so that the +
timation that he wants to boss NAY
be forgotten. as he merely wants 2
chairman who is free from railroad aln-
ances. He is for Toland and has done
some good work for him.
| Chairman Tim Spellacy reached 'ne
(Ccntinued ON Pago Twol