The San Francisco call., 1909-12-21
KNIGHT FAVORS
CURRY FOR THE
NEXT GOVERNOR
Republican Leader Reiterates
Opposition to Idea of Second
Term for GiIIett
Denies That Personal Enmity
Toward Incumbent Has
Influenced Him

Insisting that neither personal en-
nifty for Gillett nor his freely admitted
personal dislike for George T. Hatton
IS responsible for his attitude. George
A. Knight reiterated last night his op-
position to the idea or second term
for Governor Gillett He declared that
an attempt TO secure a second term
involved an improper ambition and
announced that he was for Charles F.
Curry for the republican nomination
for governor.
I don't want to become involved in
q newspaper discussion of this matter"
said Knight, but if Jim Gillett runs
again he viii make foolish mistake.
This talk about my being piqued over
an appointment TO the United States
senate is all bosh. I don't want any
office and 1 have told Gillett so. J. can
get all the fun ] want out of politics
by jumping into campaign every four
years. taking hand al over the coun-
try. and quitting when I get tired OF IT,
OPPOSED TO TWO TERMS
There is no feud between Gillett and
myself like him and ] believe that
personally he feels all right toward
me. ] am opposed TO the idea of any
fornia for two terms. Why, II we es-
tablish an eight year precedent we
would have only three governors in "a
years
1T is all right to want to be COVER
nor of California. That is great honor
and there are plenty of good fellows
Tor that honor But one term is honor
enough. When a man gets that he
should he content 1T is a fine ambition
10 want TO be governor for the honor
OF it, A man can not want a second
term for the honor. If he seeks it be-
cause he wants power that is not
proper ambition.
"Gnlett has made a good governor.
but there is no public need for him
q second termer- I believe that If he
runs again il viii be because of the i'll
advised counsel Of the. horde of job
holders who are urging him into the
race in hopes of saving their own
places Like ali governors. he has a few
barnacles clinging 10 him and it is time
TO scrape them off"
rs il true that your personal dis
like for George. +. Hatton or jealousy
over his superior influence with the
governor is responsible for your op-
position to a second term for Governor
Gillett?' Knight Was asked.
That has nothing 70 DO with it.
replied knight. "Hatton is just
growth. After his employment with
Senator Perkins was at an end he as
sumed to take over the disposition OF
party matters. He has hung around
10 the disgust of many republicans and
his presence has kept some men away
fro mthe governor, but that has Moth
ing TO do with my attitude. I am Gill
let's friend.
WOULD HURT FUTURE CHANCES
II Gillett runs for governor again
he would kill for all time his chances
Of advancement. J do not know that
he aspires to further political honors
but if he does he will not strengthen
himself by running second term. He
has an opportunity to retire now with
great honor. ] doubt if that would be
true at the end of another four years.
81 he should be elected"
rs II true, Mrs. knight. that YOU
have decided TO support Charles F.
Curry for governor"
Yes, I'm for Curry. Charlie Curry
would make an excellent governor. He
IS man of far greater ability than
most people have credited him with
lie has good chance of being nom
mated
u have not decided 10 stump the
state for Curry in the primary cam
paign. ] shall take no active part in
The fight, but as between GilIett and
Curry ] shall support Curry. Curry
would not be surrounded by trouble
breeders.
And why should Gilett seek a sec
ond term2 Is there any great crying
demand for him except that set up by
the job holders? He has begun no
great work while in Office that can be
advanced as a reason for retaining him
70 consummate his plans He has not
instituted any great reforms What is
there, aside from the clamor of the job
holders, upon which TO base his can
uidacyge
~fiillett and / are still friends. It is
because I am his friend that ] say he
VIII not do for governor again. Politics
IS in a 5umbled condition in this state.
The recent municipal election in san
francisco is going to cut some figure
out in the state. OF course. if Gillett is
nominated for a second term I shall
support him. ] am an organization man
and 7 shall support the candidate Of
the republican party. I believe that
Curry has good chance to win the
nomination, but also believe that who
ever IS nominated by the republican
party viii be elected governor of Cali
fornia."