Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-17
WHERE STEPHENS
STANDS SHOWN
BEYOND DOUBT
ACCEPTED OFFICE ONLY ON
CLEAR UNDERSTANDING
ADHEREs ABSOLUTELY TO HIS
ORIGINAL POSITION
Statements That He Has Changed
His Mind Excite Only Amuse-
ment with Those Who
Know


Statements in the pro-vice press yes
terday that William d. Stephens had
"hopped" from Municipal league to the
machine brought forth mingled amuse-
ment and Indignation from the recall
campaign committee, including Mr..
Stephens himself. In their efforts to
save themselves from humiliation the
pro-vice papers fioundered deeper in,
and arrived at a solution exactly OPP
posite from the real one.
Instead of obeying any command of
the machine or taking a position OPP
posite to that he had assumed at the
beginning of the recall campaign Mr..
Stephens made his record consistent
one, despite all pro-vice assertions to
the contrary. He refused to consider
taking the Office of mayor except on
two condittons:
First, that his action should be sat-
isfactory to George Alexander and the
recall campaign committee, and that 1t
should be asked by them. This was
fulfilled, and Mr.. Stephens took office
with the preliminary request and
knowledge of the recall committee and
Mr., Alexander that he would do so.
Second, that the city attorneys
opinion be in favor OF the length of
term governed by the recall election of
March 26.
"The recall forces not only do not
accuse Mr.. Stephens of Hopping but
they knew of and were satisfied with
the outcome of the council meeting be-
fore 1t was held" said a, recall leader
last night Attempts of this sort to
fool the people will only prove boom
erangs. They show how hard up the
opposition to Alexander is for ammuni-
ton"
Mayor Stephens stands exactly where
he did last week-in favor or the elec-
ton of George Alexander for mayor
and doing all he can for the success or
the recall election, with the only diff
ference that the duties of the mayor
atty necessarily take more of his time
away from the recall campaign.
Alexander Well Pleased
His election certainly suits me; 1
knew 1t was coming" said George
Alexander in reference to the councils
choice. Other workers in the recall
campaign expressed their sentiments in
a similar vein, and the Municipal
league and recall headquarters Monday
afternoon and yesterday were constant
scenes of congratulation over the sue
cess of the recall movement.
Statements issued last night by the
recall campaign committee, one being
signed by William d. Stephens and
another by Chairman S. c. Graham as
chairman and e. o. Edgerton as sec
rotary of the campaign committee, are
emphatic and comprehensive enough
to set at rest any doubts as to where
the mayor and the other supporters or
George Alexander stand, or where the
choice of the council leaves them.
my sense of honor and my loyalty
to the man for whose candidacy the
committee of which I was chairman
was primarily responsible" says Mayor
Stephens, absolutely forbid any use of
election of George Alexander, WHO is
WORTHY OF AND ENTITLED TO
YOUR SUPPORT"
That his opponents respect his opinion
is evidenced in editorial expressions
yesterday morning by the papers OPP
posing the recall movement. The Times
said: lone thing is certain-no boss
has a chain on Mr.. Stephens. No
would-be dictator can tell him what to
do" The Hearst paper said editorially:
1.-The Examiner hopes that every citi-
zen of every party, regardless of his
personal feelings, will clasp hands with
him.
Full Statement Issued
The statement issued by the recall
campaign committee was as follows:
Following the resignation of
Mayor Harper this committee was
on last Friday morning confronted
by a city council, majority of
which was hostile to the candidacy
of George Alexander. The council
was said to be framed up to elect
George A. Smith to the vacant
mayoralty, the avowed purpose of
such an election being the nullifi-
cation of the recall election. This
committee thereupon secured the
postponement of the election until
Monday morning.
Meanwhile it found itself con-
fronted with situation present.
ing-only three possible solutions:
First, the election of mayor
hostile to the recall principle and
to Mr.. Alexander, which would
have resulted in a chaotic condi-
ton of the citys affairs. and, in
all probability, would have him
dered the will of the people from
being made effective.
Second, failure to elect anyone.
which would have resulted in in
convenience in the city's affairs.
Third, the election of a mayor
who would be broadly representa-
tive of the best citizenship and who
as friend of the recall principle
and a staunch and active support
er OF Mr.. Alexander. would assure
the turning over of the office to
the candidate receiving the highest
number of votes at the recall cleo
ton on March 26.
The third solution, which has
now been carried into effect by the
election of Mr.. Stephens. assures
the stability and safety of the city's
business and places in the mayor
atty the chairman of the committee
which selected Mr. Alexander as q
candidate for mayor. and whose
high character assures the carry
ing out of the will Of the people
as it will be expressed by them
on March 26.
RECALL CAMPAIGN COMMIT
TEE.
E. o. Edgerton, secretary.
S. c. Graham, chairman.
Campaign Grows in vigor
The recall campaign continues with
added enthusiasm, and the members of
the committee find constantly increas-