The San Francisco call., 1908-09-02

dental fact that it was hidden to be
in order by two men. each claiming to
be the exclusive custodian of the right
to call it to order, the first session
at Waltons pavilion last night was
the most pacific local convention held
in San Francisco in many a year.
The organization was in absolute
control, but did not attempt TO exer-
else that control to the limit of forci-
bly, preventing F. H. Dam, legally
elected chairman of the county COM
mittee. from going through the mo-
tions of calling the convention to or
der. Buck" worthington, Herrin's
chairman, selected by Tim Sullivan
and Johnnie Lynch, performed a like
service DR.. r. +. Hartley of the
thirty y-seventh district was elected
temporary chairman and both Dam and
Worthington retired, each conscious of
having performed his full duty and
each convinced that he had preserved
his legal status as chairman of the re-
publican county committee.
NOMINATIONS DELAYED
The temporary chairman in charge
of the convention, so much of the pro-
gram as deemed expedient was put
through with a rush and the conven-
tion. fully organized, adjourned until
i've candidates for the superior bench
and ratify the platform, which will be
passed to it at that time.
There was no personal encounter be-
tween Dam and Worthington. No
blows were struck; no blood spilled.
That the public generally did not ex-
pect anything sensational was proved
by the empty galleries. Dam, true to
his promise to call the convention to
order, was on the scene early. There
was some preliminary discussion and a
suggestion that Secretary Forbes call
the convention to order. leaving both
Dam and Worthington out of it. The
machine forces declined to ratify that
suggestion which, by the way, came
from within their own ranks, and both
Dam and Worthington started for the
platform, where. after a subdued but
animated discussion, they arrived at a
program of their own. Each would
maintain his position by calling the
convention to order, the program tenn
porary chairman would be selected and
both would retire.
Worthington- brought his gavel down
and announced THE delegates will be
in order. Mr.. Dam wishes to address
you for about a minute" Dam was
greeted with applause and made a brief
speech, which won the admiration of
the majority which was against him.
He explained the agreement between
Worthington and himself, which had
been made, he said, so that the COM
mon enemy could not say that there
was any difference of opinion, so far
as the national ticket went, among To-
cal republicans, Dam said he hoped
the convention would nominate a legis-
lative ticket that all republicans could
take off their coats and work for and
in conclusion said, as he banged his
cane on the table: The convention
will be in order
The Lincoln Roosevelt league mi
nority of 65 delegates made no at
tempt to participate in the selection of
either temporary chairman or secre-
tary and was promptly squelched when
it. asked for square deal in the mat
ter Of appointments to the committees
on permanent organization and order
of business, and platform and resolu-
tions.
LEAGUE REQUESTS REFUSED
The machine program provided for
Is members on each committee. The
leaguers asked that not more than one
member from each assembly district
be appointed to the committee on or
ganization and order of business and
was promptly voted down, Chairman
Hartley deciding, and probably properly
6EOuSHs lndI d1luOuSu LHe OeleSaIeS
who voted in the negative made less
noise they were in an Overwhelming
majority
The leaguers came back with a. re-
quest that each district be given a
place on the platform committee and
got such comfort as was incident to
two viva voce votes, both of which
were decided against the leaguers by
the chairman before the yells were fin
ished.
When Harry Worthington elbowed his
way through the small crowd in Wal
toms pavilion and mounted the plat
form Bert Dam was close on his heels.
and when Worthington pounded for
order with his mallet Dam stood be-
side him. It took some little time for
the delegates to get comfortably set
tied in their seats. and when they did
Worthington announced that Dam had
a few words to say.
Dam announced that both Worth
ington and himself were claimants to
the .chairmanship of the county com
raittee, that both were there to call the
convention to order and that both
would go through the motions of so
doing, in order that no rights under
dispute might be waived.
So. Worthington raped the delegates
to order with his mallet and Dam
Z.
There was a laugh at this double play
and then Worthington called for nomi-
nations for temporary chairman.
DIR. HARTLEY ASSUMES CHAIR
Colonel Walter Kelly of the thirty
seventh named DR.. Roland E. Hartley
Of the same district without any
speech; there was a second; the nomi-
nations were closed and in record time
Hartley had assumed the chair, while
Worthington and Dam retired together
to the background.
Differences of opinion in the party
are to be expected" declared Hartley
in reference to the row over the chair
manship of the county committee, "bu
let us not forget that we are all re-
publicans. that we have all assembled
TO do honor to Roosevelt and to swear
allegiance to Taft and Sherman"
There was a. little applause at Roose-
velt's name and then J. J. Sweenev of