Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-21

Webster Davis, assistant secretary of
the interior and former mayor of Kan
sas City, in his address last night at
Blanchard hall, took up the principle
of the recall and the civic progress
needed, in which the recall is an aid.
Mr.. Davis said:
Municipal wrongdoing is the result
of great temptation and great oppor-
tunity. We must, therefore, as indl-
viduals learn to deal with the small
temptation and the little opportunity.
We must learn to combat the little SELF
ishneSs in ourselves. After all, 1t is on
the Individual citizen rests the burden
of producing actual god results. When
that citizen occupies a position of honor
and trust, his example helps make a
of producing actual good results. When
he deals with a public question of i'm
portance, and deals with it uprightly
and with good faith, he helps honest
government. So honesty and integrity
and morality are the best assets or a
public life, and these can be developed
by none but the, individual citizens
themselves.
''The condition that comforts the eiti-
zens of this city at this time is indeed
a peculiar one. The recall is success,
and a great success. 1t became a part
of the city charter by a vote of four to
one. and it will be kept there perma-
nently. The recall is the most effective
weapon ever placed in the hands of de-
cent people. 1t is the greatest blessing
ever granted to the poor man by his
fellow citizens It enables him to exert
an influence in municipal affairs that
he never enjoyed before.
CompeIs Performance of Duty
Indeed, the recall enables all good
citizens, regardless of party affiliations,
to get together and demand, and force,
officials who are merely the servants or
the people to simply do their duty, ana
serve the people as they have a right
to be served-the men who honored
them by electing them to these offices.
Is there anything wrong in this! Ger
tainlv not 1t is useless to further
eulogize the recall, for has 1t not re-
suited already in placing Mr.. stephens
in the mayors office, man VINO mas
been complimented by all the news
papers, and who is honored, respected
and loved by every citizen of this city,
regardless of political party or religious
creed?
And this is the man, too, who first
was selected unanimously by the recall
forces to lead them in their campaign
for good government. And, moreover,
this happens to be the same man VINO
is chairman of the committee that Sc
lected Mr. Alexander to take his place,
because of the sad affection in his own
family that made this action necessary.
Amid conditions live these, as good cltl-
zens we should have love 1east anu
Danish pickering, enmity and STRIFE.
1--WE are all proud of our city, proud
of it's prowess, and proud of the glori-
Gus promise of it's wonderful future;
Oh, when we think of the completion or
the great Panama canal, ana OF the
owens river aqueduct, the Improvement
of our streets and highways, the deVel-
opment of san Pedro harbor, and the
extension of our city to the rolllng
pillows of the great western sea, we
know that If we do our duty, stand
firmly for decency and honesty, for law
and order and for good government, 1t
will not be long until happiness Will
prevail and plenty will sit enthroned
and crowned, and sway her joyous
scepter over happy homes, where a
million people in Los Angeles Will dWell
In peace and sweet content.
Lauds Voters Independence
'I congratulate every Democrat and
every member of any party whose CITY
pride and patriotism prompt them TO
forget party malice ana hate, anu "
lend their support to the candldate TOT
MAYOR of the recall movement.
'|Ten wears ago / took part in the
campaign all over this state for Gage
and Neff, and the whole Republican
ticket from top to bottom, and during
the last campaign in California l de-
liyered addresses in behalf of the whole
Republican ticket at my own expense.
therefore 1 need not apologize when l
urge every Republican voter to cast ms
ballot for Mr.. Alexander For, has he
not been a good Republican IN the
past? Has he not, as public official,
been an honor to this city? He has
always made good wherever tried, ana
has never been found wanting. He has
saved the taxpayers of Los Angeles
many thousands of dollars-mone;'
enough to pay for many recall cleo
tons. He has been capable, RELIABLE
trustworthy and honest. He has ever
stood for the welfare of the people and
for the prosperity of the city.
while L earnestly believe in these
non-partisan movements in all of our
city affairs, I see no reason why any
Republican should hesitate to vote for
the recall candidate. Some one has
said that he is too old. I answer that
he carries his three score years and
ten much easier than most men carry
their three score. DO you not remem-
Der that Gladstone charmed Great Brit
ain with his eloquence and statesman
ship. and Bismarck held all Europe in