New-York tribune., 1883-03-18
SAN FRANCISCO.

MCNICIPAL AND STATE AFFAIRS-IHE
WEATHER-TH -THEATRICAL-OSrRlC
tppoN AZ AsIoS Al CoREEsPoNDENT Of TIE TRIBUNE
SAN FRANCIsCo March S.-The new charter for
this city has been defeated by one OF those close
votes for which California snOted. ltwas beaten Oy
the slender majority OF thiTtytwo, although had the
property-owners and reputable classes turned out III
force as yhoy ought 70 have done, II would nave
been passed by majority OF several thousanu III
a matter of tins sort, which vIally concerned the
welfare Of the city, one would look 10 see some pun
lie interest shown; but every one here seems 10 DC
So intent on making money that he has neither time
nor il rclinatiOn to give any thought to pubic
affairs So the professional politicians have every
thing their own way the city government Is run III
the interest OF the various " bosses; the business
men swear about the jo5bery which comes perlodl-
oalv TO the dirty surface OF politics; the Civil Ser
vice reformers meet and pass highly rhetorical reso
lutions; bat when there is an opportunity at the
nols 70 rive the ward bosses and buInmers a solid
blow that would stagger them, the critics and the
reformers fail 10 appear and the chance is lost as 1t
was in this charter election.
The streets of San Francisco are now unlghted a'
night and they promise to remain SO until the ehd
of the fiscal year which on June 80. This is
due to the policy Of retrenchment eauIedout by the
was nearly empty. 1t results in great discomfort to
those who are compelled to be out at night. Walk
ing over rough wooden sidewalks aud badly paved
streets on dark foggy nights is not pleasant recrea
ton to cav nothing of the dangers from garroters
In the northern part of the city 1t behOoves one TO
carry lantern, for already one poor fellow has
come to his death by walking of a steep cliff into
the bay
The State Legislature is now coming in on the
bomestTctch and passing bills by the bushel. The
majority of them are measures IN which only few
private persons are concerned, but one excellent
bill that has received the Governors SANCTION pro-
yides for the enforcement of street repairs IN this
city, For four years the policy of allowing prop
erty-owners to decide when their premises
needed repair has been III vogue; IT; fruits are
rotten sidewalks and Worn-Out payements tnat are
a disgrace to the city. The new law Is stringent,
but heroic remedy was necessary
The dry weather. although it has vet done no
serious injury to the gram or frGlt crop has IN
settied the wheat market and the brokers are ex-
pectiDg season of excitement. The southern
country Is extremely dry, bat the cattle men are
guarding against loss OF stock by selling the greater
part of their herds 10 Texas dealers: IN this WY
they hope to prevent recurrence of the losses by
drouth OF three years ago.
In theatrical circles the sensation is the craze of
two French counts from Colorado Tor two pretty
actresses Ia variety company now playing here.
The Counts whatever NAV he the length of their
lineage. have very long purses and hall from Two
cattle ranches IN Colorado If one presents costly
piece OF jewery the obj ices OF hls admiration Lhe
other trumps II with more expensive tilhket. Inc
latest absurdity was costly dinner gwen to me
entire company by of the titled SWANS. All
local admirers stand afar OH parayzed by the recA
lessness OF the Colorado magnlncos.
The African osriches have finally found a home
in the southern country 10 which they VIII soon De
remov- d. square mile Of laud has been bought
near Anaheim. Los Angeles County, which VIII be
fitted up for the birds. One OF the female OstrcheS
is now laying eggs al The rate OF one every other