The San Francisco call., 1908-05-19


ever got out of being boss was 10 be
called boss, and I am content
TAKES DEFEAT KEENLY
AeNab takes his defeat keenly 10
heart Il has been the joy OF his life
to exert a measurable rule over the
democrats OF California He fought 10
the last ditch and only when his last
desperate effort failed to hold in line
the delegates from the eighth eongres-
sionaf district In southern California
did he hoist the white flag. Il was
10 the southland that he had pinned his
hopes ard among those delegations ne
had put forth his great powers OF gen
eraIship. but he could not rally them,
and then came the stampede that left
him deserted All Of the eighth's =
delegates went over 10 Sanford in eau
Gus this afternoon. and there was little
left of The forces that had been shout
ing so Justify for Harper
The downfall of McNab must be re-
garded as nothing short Of political
upheavaL One sole personality, the
leader whom all democrats are eager
to follow, was responsible for the IN
doing OF the boss. II such he was 10 be
called. and that man is Theodore a
Bell, not yet past 35 years Of age and
BELL DISREGARDS THREATS
Bell said there should be no taint
of bossism or of railroad influence on
the Democratic party. and he went 10
battle on the issue regardless Of the
threats that his course would cost him
his prestige and the realization Of his
somewhat lofty political ambitions.
In justice 10 McNab il must be stated
that Bell does not accuse him of doing
politics for Hsrrin The charge has
been made assiduously by the anti
AIcNab men who have been working so
indefatigabIy here. but the idol Of the
Bourbons does not join in il. But Bell
took the attitude that wherever sus-
picion was directed the object of il
should be removed. for he held the well
fare of the party above the vindica-
tiOn OF any one person. SO McNab had
to go down 10 defeat just because II
had been bruited abroad that he was a
bad boss and that he worked for Her
rim. with no word from him OF guilt
or innocence.
HAS PARTY,S SUPPORT
The glorious triumph for Bell means
that ne will go to the national eOnven-
tion as a delegate at large and that he
viii have the united support OF the
California delegation in his aspirations
TO be presiding officer of the party 5
assembled wisdom at Denver. He be-
lieves that this action OF the cOnven-
ton here tomorrow viii insure his
success al the national gathering.
II there ever has been any question
as 10 the attitude OF the cali
fornia bourbon as to Bryan. IL
was effectually removed today. for
the delegates shouted themselves
hoarse over him again. although Il is
- 81 -
success means instruction OF the na-
tionai delegation when the convention
finishes its labors in the morning
This was one Of the multifarious
angles Of the contest that was waged
over the Craftsmanship all last night
and this forenoon-S The McNab men
were regarded as unfavorable TO in
struetions. however. as this was the
least of the issues that were raised.
against McNab. and he in turn eoun-
tered with this point and that.
N'NAB CRIES @HEARST-
McNab raised the cry of Hearstism
for Senator Sanford, who once upon a
time led a political fight for the edi-
tor in California He boIstered up his
argument by pointing OUT that Al Nc
Cabe, chief clerk in District Attorney
Langdon's Office and campaign man
ager for Langdon when he ran for
governor on the Independence league
ticket. was here leading the hostile Is
delegates from San Francisco. It
looked last night as II this argument
of McNab's would win, for there
seemed q strong sentiment hostile 10
Hearst affihations.
This craftiness on the part OF the
boss proved a boomerang. however
and there came evidence OF how near
the surface Of California politics are
the graft prosecutions OF san Fran
cisco. Between Al MeCabe. rspresen-
tative Of the district attorney. who Is
prosecuting the boodlers, and Gavin
NcNab. enemy OF the graft prosecu-
ton, there was unhesitating discus
sion among the delegates from the in
terror
II is plain that the elements that