The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-04-13
Bell Brands Branch of DemOc=
raCy as "Palsied With
Moral COwardice"
Friends of GubernatOriaI Choice
. Deliver Tremendous Ovation
Following Speech
By GEORGE A. VAN SMITH
LSsseiaL Dispaleh 70 The CoIl

grilling Gavin McNsb and a por-
IL tion Of san Francisco's democracy
rs ~palsied with moral cowardice, -
Theodore A Bell furnished the bright
particular feature of the democratic
state conference which opened in Los
Angeles this morning.
Democracy's state conference was
- opened with a field day for the oratori-
cal elimination of party bile that had
been accumulating for two years. II
was an insignificant individual faction.
law or condition that failed TO come
in for roast. direct or indirect
Direct Primary Attacked
The direct primary law was attacked
as miserable makeshift. The men
who drew ii and those who enacted it
were denounced as scoundrels. The
Republican party. congress. the tariff
law. the California machine and the
privileged interests were not over
looked The representatives, OF the san
> Francisco democratic club accused the
regulars Of packing the san Francisco
delegation with Office holding dummies.
Bell and his editorial supporters We're
eNcoriated as defamers Of party men
and finally Bell furnished the climax
: with defiance Of McNab and a de-
. .nOcracy palsied with moral cowarGfce
Ii was Frank Gould Of San Francisco
-Vlo excited Bell to a speech which was
described as the most vigorous he ever
made. Gould was down for an address
Legislation Enacted by a Demo-
-1-ztic legislature" He took advan-
tage Of the first opportunity 10 voice
size unhappy sentiments which have
+::5esn smoldering for two years.
Gould Wakes WrOth
+. when the 8IcNab forces were routed
. n the 1903 state conference Gould was
among those who did not tarry for the
. further deliberations of his party in
invention assembled. IN the parlance
6f the game he beat it," subsequently
AZ committee meeting in san Fran
cisco Bell and Gould fell out over the
makeup Of the executive committee.
Bell sacastically referred to Gould's
buried departure from the convention
and senator John Sanford stands ac-
cused Of editorial remarks about cor
-poration politics done by the McNab
machine
could told the conference today that
tae editor OF an inconspicuous paper
.tad accused him Of doing corporation
HeIittes and thar aforesaid inconspicu-
.g-s editor was a liar
sBeH RetaIiates
Bell restrained himself until the con-
ference was about to adjourn. Then
.e made a proposed amendment 10
committee report the excuse for taking
tile platform. He did not refer to Gould
or McNab by name. but his remarks left
10 room for doubt. and they were
greeted with tremendous applause.
Let is be understood now and for all
tines" cried Bell, that there is but
one body IN control OF the democratic
party in this state. That is the regu-
larly selected state central committee.
we must go to the people with high
and patriotic motives combined with
enough prudence 10 give them effect.
The majority shall continue TO rule the
,Heaocracy of California. Let US go
out promising 10 strike down the spe-
oial privileges that are sapping the life
blood Of this state and some Of its
communities.
a gentleman in San Francisco may
sneer at me and attempt TO criticise
me by innuendo or directly 1 care not
Francisco and some Of its democracy
were palsied with moral cowardice I
was not afraid to be there on the firing
line and to stand there. I propose to
keep up the same old fight. I propose
to stay on the firing line because be-
Ieve that is where every true soldier
belongs. ] stand for an open and above
board democracy. The democratic
mountain in this state will not go to
any Mohamet am going to submit
my cause TO the people I am going to
look over the heads of men and into the
eyes Of the people.
MOOsER TAKES EXCEPTION
Louis Mooser Of San Francisco voiced
the only protest after Bell had been
given a tremendous ovation. Mooser
declared that he was for Bell and would
help Bell realize any of his ambitions,
but lie could not har an attack on the
democracy of san Francisco without
protesting.
san Francisco was in the limelight
RI0ughout the day IT was San Fran
cisco that furnished the only row be-
-fore the committee on credentials. The
efforts OF Bells friends. to head off the
san Francisco democratic clubs de-
mands for recognition were abortive
There was no failure to deliver the
humping. the anti -McNabites were fore