Arizona republican., 1911-02-20
Tn. Recall in San Diego


The recall is about to he invoked
in San Diego in circumstances which
viii not we think enlist the approval
OF that class of progressive reform
ers~ who habitually approve the in
vocation of the recall and pray for
the success of its operation. regard
less of the guilt or innocence OF the
officer against whom il is directed.
To them each success is a vindica-
ton of its system.
But we are sure that the pro
gressives" of Los Angeles will de-
nounce the San Diego proceedings.
in as much as the intended victims
are of their progressive" brand.
Last week there was an election in
San Diego on a proposition to grant
John d. Spreckels fifty-year street
railway franchise. Recognizing both
the achieved and promised accom-
plishments of Mr.. Spreckels for the
p-building of San Diego, there was
an overwhelming sentiment in favor
of the franchise. Two city officials
however. Messrs. Sehon and Woods.
gressive reform" ticket were oppos-
I'd to the franchise on the ground
that a franchise of so long a term
was contrary to progressive" prin-
ciples. Besides Mr., Spreckels was an
exponent of Special Interests, that
nightmare of the true progressive,
TO whom Special Privilege should not
he accorded.
So one sided however was the con-
test that the opposition of Messrs.
Sehon and Woods would probably not
have provoked popular bitterness but
for the self-injection into the fray
of Joseph Fels, Socialist. progress
sive", single taxer and whatever else
he may be for the better advertise
ment of a brand of soap which has
already made him a multimillionaire.
The campaign of Mr.. Fels was
loudly heralded by the Los Angeles
''progressives" who predicted the
overthrow of Spreckels and the GER
tain triumph of the people" in the
person of the soapmaker.
on his arrival in town Mr.. Fels
proclaimed himself the savior of the
masses. Defeat the unprogressive
franchise proposition. and he him
self would accept a twenty-five year
franchise and would pay TO the city
annually two per cent of the gross
REGENTS of the street railway sys-
tenn he would build. Moreover. If
Mr.. Spreckels in a spirit of anger
and revenge should refrain from the
further building of San Diego, Mr.
Fels would take up the work and
carry it to completion.
Thus ginger was added to hither-
70 tame contest and Messrs. Sehon
and Woods took heart and committed
themselves to acrimonious opposition
TO the plans of Mr.. Spreckels.
The Spreekels franchise was car
ried by a vote of something more
than two to one. The tumult of re-
joicing that night is said to have
been heard as far as FL Cajon, fif-
teen miles away. A proposition, was
made to duck Mr.. Fels in the foun-
tain of the U. S. Grant hotel and the
mayor Of the city at the head of
triumphant body of roo rejoicers more
or less officially notified the soap
boiler that the next train would soon
depart.
Mingled with the din of victory
were imperious demands for the re-
call of Messrs Sehon and Woods.
This demand increased in force over
night and the papers of the follow
ing day stated that undoubtedly these
officers would be recalled.
But, for what? We do not know.
It is darkly limited that they were
trying TO obstruct the wheels of pro-
gress. 1t is only certain that they
were on the losing side of an absorb
ing popular contest. and. with an
overwhelming and irritated majority
armed with that new and dreadful
weapon. the recall, it is vac victis'.