The San Francisco call., 1910-09-04

their campaign last night at the Cen
traI theater before 1000 men and
women gathered to ratify their NOM
nations for governor and lieutenant
governor respectively.
The auditorium was nearly hlled. and
the stage party numbered more than
100 Of the men who have been identi-
ned with party activities in San Fran
cisco and the state. The advance guard
Of the state democracy on IFS way to
the Stockton state convention was lib
orally represented.
CROWD SYMPATHETIC
It was sympathetic if not wildly
enthusiastic crowd, and Bells oratory
stirred it several times 10 something
akin 10 mid campaign demonstrations.
Speakers and audience exhibited only
the best Of good nature. The closest
semblance Of an attack on the hated
opposition was Chairman Costellos de-
scription OF Hiram W. Johnson as an
unknown who had attempted to take
over the issues made popular by Bell
and the democracy.
Bells keynote speech could by no
stretch of imagination be considered
anything more than temperate. He de-
clared himself as opposed to the
bureau and its domination of California
politics. He served notice that he
would hold TO strict account any per-
son and any newspaper that charged
him with undue friendship for that ma
chine. He deplored in sorrow rather
than in anger what he considered an
attempt on the part OF the progressive
republicans to steal his campaign thun-
der and suggested that il would be
seemly for the republicans to sit back
for 2 few years saving their advice and
profting by close observance of his
methods as head OF the states govern
ment.
OUTLINES POLICIES
Bell promised that if elected COVER
nor he would not only put the South
ern Pacific machine out of the govern
ment but that he would also regulate
the railroads: foster water competition;
work for physical valuation of railroads
as a basis for rate making; strive for
compulsory education: overhaul the
school system; take the states ipstitu-
tions out OF politics and resist the eX
penditure of public money for planting
fish in streams so preserved that the
general public could not fish in them.
For johnson he expressed only the
highest regard and promised that he
would inject no unpleasant PERSONAL
ties or vituperatiOn into the campaign.
The ratification meeting was held un-
der the auspices of the Bell-Spellacy
club Of San Francisco. A band con-
cert nd a red fire illumination in Mar
ket street preceded the speech max
ing The meeting was opened by Rob
ert Howell, vice president Of the Bell
Spellacv club and sometime speaker
Of the assembly and state senator from
Sonoma county. Howell introduced
stephen Costello as chairman Of the
evening.
CANDIDATES CHEERED
Bell and Spellacy arrived shortly
after S o'clock They We're greeted
with applause when they entered the
theater and with cheers when they
appeared on the stage later. They
were escorted upon the stage by a
party Of prominent local democrats.
which included Ralph McLeran. Thomas
Z. Hayden, Chairman r. II. Dewitt of
the state central committee. Walter
Macarthur. stephen Costello, Robert
Howell. Judge William P. Lawlor, Ar
thur Barendt. Marius Kast and Sidney
n. Van Wyck Jr.
That il Nsas Z democratic meeting
was demonstrated by the impartiaIity
with which the names Of departed and
incumbent leaders were cheered If it
be true that Theodore A. Bells elo-
Quence evoked tn most applause ii is
OF Walter Macarthur and Thomas L.
Hayden, for congress. and of Judges
Murasky. Lawlor. Coffey. SeaWell and
Cabaniss evoked applause as enthusi-
astic as that aroused by the mention of
Bells name.
HAILED AS GOVERNOR
Bells speech was. Of course. the fea-
ture of the meeting. He had announced
and il was expected that he would
!.
psign. He explained last night that he
opened his campaign early solely for
the purpose OF declaring himself on
the principal issues and putting his
enemies on notice not to connect his
ns me with that of the railroad ma
chine. He was enthusiastically hailed
as Governor Gillett's successor" Pre-.
liminary 10 his speech he declared that
ne would not indulge in any fourth of
july orstory, and so far as references
TO the stars and stripes were concerned
he redeemed the pledge.
Bell said in part:
We find public attention centered
upon the question Of Southern Pacific
control in the politics of California and
before the voters Of this state express
their choice on election day they must
be satisfied that the man who is hon
ored by that choice is absolutely right
upon this question. The political su-
premacy of the Southern Pacific rail-
road company is not the product of a
few days or few months; it runs back
many years through the history of
California. Its pernicious influence has
been exercised through the medium of
the republican party. Time and time
gain the democratic party Of California
has taken an absolute and unequfvocaI
position against its domination in our
affairs. but year after year the people
of this state. by a ma jority vote for
republican nominees, have suffered this
great political evil to continue.
One Of my strongest reasons for open
ing my campaign at this early date is
forever TO set at rest the slightest
doubts of friends. as well as the slight
est detraction OF enemies. and I am
here tonight to pledge to the people
Of California my uttermost strength
energy and vigor OF mind and body to
the task of forever eliminating the
Southern Pacific political bureau from
all political interference in the affairs
Of California II ! am elected COVER
nor Of this state ] promise you that the
Southern Pacific company's misrule in
California will be ar an end.
LOOKS TO COMMISSION
When the Southern Pacific is once
shorn Of its unlawful power il should
then be subjected TO q strict regula-
ton that will protect our people against
unjust rates and determinations OF any
character. The railroad commission
must stand between the railroads and
the people and protect the grain, fruit
and other shippers of California from
the railroad SHINING exforffonS Every