The San Francisco call., 1910-09-07
| Five Of the
veteran dem
ocratic lead
ers Of the state
who had part
in the conven-
ton.

went through with only the slightest
opposition. AS finally adopted, the reso-
luton read:
PEOPLE TO DECIDE
I'VE recommend that the legislature
take the necessary steps to submit to
the qualified electors of California the
question of providing special State
tax to raise the sum of S5,000,000 to aid
the proposed exposition and permitting
the city and county of San Francisco to
bond itself in the same amount for the
same purpose"
The convention was called to order
this morning by Chairman Dewitt of
the state central committee and opened
with an invocation by Father Leahy of
St. Mary's church of this city. Mayor
Rebenstein made a short speech of well
come to the delegates and announced
that the keys of Stockton were In
their hands. Within five minutes of
the time he concluded the stage was set
for the perpetration of the little sur
prise party which Van Wyck had in
store for his friends and opponents
alike.
DAVIS NOMINATED
Judge NJ. T. Dooling of San Benito
county put J. o. Davis in nomination
for the craftsmanship of the convention
ana maze a strong pfed IOi MS etccLlOit-
Everybody expected that the contest
between Davis and Van Wyck would
come off as scheduled and half the
delegates in the hall turned toward the
San Francisco delegation as soon as
Dooling sat down.
Van Wyck was on his feet before
any member of the delegation could
rise to put his name in nomination.
Even before Van Wyck started to
speak, the significance of his action
became apparent and three cheers were
shouted and given, followed by pro-
longed outburst of hand clapping. Van
Wyck crossed the hall and mounted the
stage, while surprised members of his
delegation shouted, Stay with it,"
RESIGNS FOR PARTY
"Mr Chairman and democrats of the
state of California" he began. II come
from a populous center in a position of
the state where there are many demo-
cratic votes and from a section that
has sent solid phalanx to this conven-
tion enthusiastically in favor of Theo-
dore Bell. ] have had my personal am
bitions, bat / put the good of the demo
cratic party and of Theodore Bell above
all else.
Friends of San Francisco, allow me
to sacrifice myself for my party. If
there are any of you who think l should
not take this action, you will not be
angry after you have thought it over
a day or two. We are first for Bell.
Van Wyck is in the background. We
are united. This is united democracy.
1t is our opponents who are split
Van Wyck concluded by seconding
the nomination OF Davis. and the cheers
broke out again, interrupted this time.
however, by some very distinct and
angry protests from the San Francisco
delegation. Van Wyck's action helped
along the harmony" but it was de-
cidedly unpopular move in the eyes of
those who were backing his candidacy
for the Craftsmanship.
WITHDRAWAL FORCED
1t was only at the last minute that
Van Wyck made UP his own mind to
withdraw, and 1t was the strength of
the opposition that did it. AS Gavin
McNab's first lieutenant and represent
ative he had a fight on his hands oven
with the San Francisco delegation,
which was ostensibly behind him under
orders of the San Francisco county
convention. The San Francisco Demo-
cratic club. representing the anti-Mc-
Nab element, fought him in the open.
c. A Henning and Edgar Apperson,
although not delegates to the conven-
ton, spent all day yesterday and last
night among the members of the vari-
GUS delegations with the avowed object
of making sure of Van Wyck's defeat.
Late last night Van Wyck proposed to
several party leaders that the chair
manship should be divided, giving him
the temporary craftsmanship and Davis
the permanent Craftsmanship. The offer
was refused.
Los ANGELES SWITCHES
Early this morning the big Los
Angeles delegation caucused and in
dorsed Davis. This was the final blow
Van Wyck told no one of his intention,
but promptly prepared to capitulate
When the time came he did not even
wait for his name to be formally pre-
sented to the convention, but stepped
out of the way by means of seconding
Davis for the nomination. Louis Mooser
of San Francisco moved that the nomi-
nation be closed and that the secretary
of the convention cast the ballot for
Davis. Several of the disappointed San
Francisco delegation gave evidence of
their disgust of Van Wyck's with
drawal by loudly voting No" on
Mooser's motion.
Davis made but brief speech on
assuming the Craftsmanship. He warm
ly thanked Van Wyck and the San
Francisco delegation, and outlined his
policy as a presiding officer by declar
ing that there would not be any piece
of machinery about the convention
evenly family resembling steam roll
ler"
MILLER MADE SECRETARY
The temporary organization was
completed by the election of RAYMOND
S. Miller of Stockton as secretary. and
the temporary officers were later n,af5e