Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-09
WILL RECOMMEND
BEST CANDIDATE
GOOD GOVERNMENT FORCES
TO GATHER
DELEGATES WILL slFT POLITICAL
WHEAT FROM cHAFF
Meeting in Symphony Hall Expected
to Clarity Situation - More Petit
tons Filed-Primary Election
Law to Be Explained

The Good Government organization
will hold a meeting tonight at SYM
phony hall for the purpose of consider
ing the matter of Endorsement of can
didates at the primary election NoVem-
Der 10. Tonight's session will be an
adjourned meeting from one held sew
eral weeks ago, at which it was re
solved to postpone consideration of in
dorsements until the time for the filing
of petitions had closed and until whtcn
time it would be impossible to really
know who were all the candidates pre-
sented to the people of Los Angeles by
petition in accordance with the new
election law.
1t is probably safe to say that the
good government people will indorse
the candidacy of Mayor George AleXan-
der 1t is expected that Endorsement OF
Leslie Hewitt for city attorney, Harry
J. Lelande for city clerk and Walter
Mallard for assessor will be unanl-
mously carried out. Captain Hance,
candidate for treasurer, will also be
placed in this group. All of these men
toned are incumbents, and their cleo
tion is virtually foregone conclusion.
For tax collector there are several
candidates. Mr.. Johnson, the incum-
bent had considerable strength, but
the criticism against his office has
weakened him, and it is thought he Will
fail of Endorsement, and Clarence NJ.
Taggart, whose petition was filed sew
ertl days ago, is quite likely to receive
the approval Of the meeting.
As for the board of education it Is
certain the Good Government forces
will indorse the present members with
out hesitation. The election of this
group of highly efficient officials is an
other safe guess.
The selection of the candidates for
citv council presents a more tangled
"a IN n
ravel it than any other question. 1t Is
more difficult to prophesy just what
will be the results of the meetings. de-
liberations along this line. There has
been much discussion at informal gath
erings as to the probable methods OF
handling the various candidates for the
nine much sought offices. There has
been difference of opinion rs to what
action would be taken, and up to last
night no final decision had been
reached by the Good Government or
ganization.
Undoubtedly the candidacy of Judge
John D. Works, W. ]. Washburn, Miles
Gregory and J. J. Andrews will be en-
Enthusiastically indorsed, if any indOrse-
ments are made at all of counCilmanic
candidates. Other strong men who are
known to be aligned with the forces for
good government and who appear to
be generally acceptable are Richmond
Plant Martin Betheouski, George VIII
liams, Ben Robinson, Judge r.. NJ. Lusk,
T. L. O'Brien and George Colson
There are several other candidates who
undoubtedly will find favor with many
of the Good Government leaders who
will be present at the meeting
Whether the Good Government group
will indorse just nine candidates or
will recommend all of the candidates
for council who they deem worthy is
an open question. 1t is possible they
may recommend at least fifteen men
and leave the choice open to the peo-
pie At any rate it IS believed that to-
nights meeting will do much to clear
the atmosphere and show the voters Of
Los Angeles the way to the selection
of honest, clean, fearless, capable men
for the management of the city's af-
fairs.
No fair-minded man will misunder-
stand the motives of these Good Gov
ernment workers. There is no intent
or desire on their part to nominate
men or dictate to their fellow citizens.
The Good Government organization is
composed of a large number of broad
minded citizens banded together for
the purpose of seeking in candidates
those qualities most liable to lead to
safe, sane. honest and efficient man.
agement of the city's multiplex and
important affairs.
The leaders chosen by this body of
citizens are instructed to examine
into-not only the claims and promises
of the candidates, but into their lives
and records. They do this without
fear or favor. and the results of their
labOrs will be made known at the
meeting of delegates from all the Good
Government precinct clubs at tonight
meeting. The action taken there will
be purely that of placing on certain
names the stamp of approval as being
those of honest and able men to whom
every citizen can look for an impartial
and competent administration of pub
lie matters
Six new petitions were filed yester-
day with the city clerk by men who
desire to have their names placed on
the ticket at the primary election for
nomination for city offices. They were
those of J. f. Brown, ir., Desery
Robinet and Eugene Barry for coun-
cilmen; Andrew Henderson and Charles
Mason Tor members of the board OF
education and a blanket petition filed
by members of the Prohibition party
in behalf of c. V. La Fontaine Wiley
J. Phillips and r. r. Smith for members
Of the same board.
1t was particularly quiet all alone
the political Potomac yesterday. Thu
last important petitions were in an6
the dark horses were all announced. SC
that campaign managers and cam.
paigners had a chance to retire into
the back office and size up the sit.
uation. Some of them find it encour.
aging; Others disheartened at lack Of
following or staggered nv announce.
ments of candidates where they leas
expected them, are ready to pull out
1t was said yesterday probably a dozer
or more candidates for council will
retire from the fray Immediately, auG
of the seYenty-seven odd now on the
list probably not more than half will
make anything like a canvas for noni
nation.
Several important points are brough
out by the leaders of the Good Govern
ment forces. One of these is the i'm
portance of the fullest vote at tn,
primaries. Another is a thorough un
derstanCing of the primary law and it
action. Another Is that registration
for the final election is not closed
Another is that those citizens VIII
registered without stating to whicl
party they offer allegiance may vot
at the primary election the machin
and its cohorts and organs to the con
trary Notwithstanding.
This last point is borne on witt
great stress. There are almost 1000