The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27

demands.r-GrOver Cleveland.
A voice from the tomb or, more
properly the last great utterance from
q statesman on his dying couch, has
called out OF the ranks OF the demo-
orstic party many OF its stanchest
s 5iers OF California
John J. Barrett and Frank c. Drew,
both men who have done democracy
some service, have gone over to the
republican party. Alienated more and
more by the increasing influence Of
Organism. the last public message OF
Grover Cleveland moved them to d.
vorce themselves absolutely from their
old allegiance
Barrett and Drew are but two OF
many Californians who have with
drawn from the party Of Bryan. NJ F.
Tarpey. for years chairman of the
democratic state central committee.
formerly democratic national commit
1eeman, and always high in the coun-
cils OF the national leaders OF democ-
racy. preceded the two local attorneys
Edward F. Moran. former civil service
commissioner. has followed them
LOSS TO BOURBON COUNCILS
Through many years the eloquence
of Barrett has electrified the bourbons
IN convention and mass meeting; the
the service OF the leaders and won for
him the appointment OF secretary to
the late Governor Budd.- But demo-
cratic councils viii know them no
more They are out OF the party Of
Bryan and IN the party OF Taft Their
reasons are the accumulated argu-
ments OF several years OF dissatisfac-
ton clinched by the dying message Of
their political idol, the late Grover
Cleveland
When Grover Cleveland, shortly be-
fore his death consented 10 write for
the New York Times q series Of four
articles covering the political situa-
tfon. he put Al the service Of the pub
lie the stored wisdom OF the mature
8esgs OF his retirement Death inter
rCned between the first article and the
that would have completed the
Series
But Cleveland had written enough 20
convince many democrats Of this city
that the communication OF e republican
candidate for president by a demo-
cratic ex-president was ground sufi-
cient for their release from an irksome
connection.
CONVERTED By CLEVELAND
When read what Grover Cleveland
wrote on his deathbed about Taft, %
explained John J. Barrett yesterday.
my future political course Of action
was settled Cleveland regarded as
the greatest OF democrats. Through
the dark days when his party maligned
and rejected him waited IN confidence
that his vindication would come. The
passing Of years has vindicated him
and shown how unjust was the treat
ment he received.
And when I read Grover Cleveland's 8
calm survey OF the political situation.
his comment on the tendencies Of the
To-
ment that the best interest Of the
country lay with the election OF Taft
] accepted his guidance.
The authenticity OF that Cleveland
letter has been called IN question. but
that does not alter the situation. A
Cleveland democrat. I found in Taft
those qualities and those principles
which IL seemed 10 me Cleveland would
advocate IN a candidate for the presi-
6ency- Whether he wrote the letter or
not. Il must be evident to those who
studied his career that II voiced his
sentiments. ~~
1t does not become me 10 criticize
the party from which I have been so
lately disassociated. Let my registration
as a republican speak for itself And
yet viii say that I have grown out OF
sympathy with party which blows
with every breeze and which its pres
ent leader has sought TO turn into an
offce seeking machine"
Il have not ceased TO be a democrat "
declared Frank Drew, but the party
A 10 which I belonged has surrendered
Us democratic principles IN mad
chase after isns. The present leaders
Of the party have made IL impossible
for a democrat OF the old line TO fol
low them. They have advocated the
government ownership OF railroads;
they have attacked the courts; they
have swerved from one novelty TO an
other in their efforts 10 catch the
popular fancy.
s.ISMs- PROVE DISTASTEFUL
II was a Cleveland democrat; have
enjoyed the fayors OF the old democ-
rscy, but now I find myself in a posi-
tion where I can no longer support the
tsns-they are not principles-foI
which democracy stands The ster
which I have taken I contemplated foI
q long time: but the words OF Grover
Cleveland advocating Taft decided me-
Ed Moran finds In the personalities
of the two candidates for president z
contrast which, 10 his mind, typifes
the differences between the two parties
In Taft" he declared. Il consider
that we have all the qualities which
20 10 make q great president More
than that. he IS committed 70 the car
rying out Of the Roosevelt policies
with which ] am altogether IN accord
At the same time I am certain thai
Taft has a mind which can not bt
dominated by outside influence
Bryan. on the other hand, I look
upon as q seeker after Office. he has
changed when TO change suited the
occasion. This step OF mine was only
taken after much thought I sent to-
day 10 General Stone asking him for