The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-04-17
TELL OF LEAGUES
BATTLEFOR REFORM
ROwelI and Davis Speak of Tri-
umph Under the Lincoln
Roosevelt Banner
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

SACRAMENTO. April let was the
principle OF free speech and free rule
by the people and for the people and
incidentally the precepts eXpounded
many years ago by Abraham Lincoln
and IN this later day by Theodore
Roosevelt that Chester r. Rowen,
state organizer of the Lincoln Oose-
welt league, and his associate, ex-
Mayor William r. Davis, impressed
upon a large and enthusiastic audi
ence at the Clunie theater in this city
tonight
RowelI began by telling his listen
ers IN 4 plain, matter Of fact way how
important the primary election was
and how seldom the voter even con-
sidered it He told how the minority,
we'll organized. may accomplish a pur-
pose which the bosses, though stronger
in forces. can fail to accomplish. He
dwelt on the great sentiment in favor
OF the league and its movement TO
throw OF the yoke OF ~ lillian T.. -ler-
rim and the Southern Pacific company.
Roweu complimented Sacramento and
its people for the manner in which
they took the bull by the horns" and
despite the great odds against them
mana ged TO elect q Lincoln-Roosevelt
league administration which had done
more for the city during the few short
months 1t had held sway than did the
P corporation rule in the years II had
been in power.
RAPID GROWTH OF LEAGUE
Step by step he took his audience
through the various methods neces-
sary TO accomplish a purpose by any
political body. He related how a
mere handful Of men mad gathered in
a Los Angeles cafe and decided that
the days Of bOssism should cease and
the people rule, and how that little
gathering has spread the league which
has already attracted attention and
which has followers in every city IN
. the state. He dwelt particularly upon
the Importance Of the primary election
70 the people and called the voters at
tention TO the fact that May 8 one OF
these primaries was to be held winch
was most important He related how
easy il would be Cor William II. Taft,
Roosevelt's choice for the presidency,
10 be defeated for the nomination
should the delegates be divided He
expressed a desire that he be elected
on the first ballot, but called upon the
voters 10 assist In closing the Au-
gust primaries We're brought TO the at
tention Of voters, and when he, called
attention to the rottenness of the last
legislature he was given prolonged
applause. He announced that he was
in the fight 10 win, no matter if il
TOOK years 70 accomplish II
SUCCESS OF MOVEMENT
Ex-Mayor Davis confined his re-
marks chiefly to the natural desire OF
men for power. and how in trying to
satisfy this lust some men had banded
together and formed trusts which
practically controlled the United
states and the people. He told how
the league was struggling to open the
ewes Of the people and how il had met
with great success in its efforts. BY
relating amusing stories as illustra-
tions Of the points he desired 10 bring
out. he was given much applause.
There is only one way" he said.
70 get the power back into the hands
Of the people, and that is through just
such a league as this one Of which 1
an member. II I thought there was
one man among US who desired power
for the money II would bring him, or
for any reason aside from giving the
public what is coming to il, I would
be the first TO expose him
He closed by saying that there was
always room for one more man who
knew right from wrong. and hoped
that all who felt they were in the
wrong party would not hesitate to
throw of the yoke and climb aboard
the right ship.