Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-07-25

The city of San Francisco, in common
with several other cities, repeatedly dem
onstrated that those who despise bossism
and venal politica! control are in the ma
lor''y whenever they choose eto assert
themselves through organization, keeping
the one prime object steadily and persist
emily in view, no matter behind what
leadership or party the enemy may mask.
1t is upon such line of action that
municipal reform has so successfully
moved in Philadelphia, and it is such per-
slS'ence and Vigilance and adhesion to
principle that the San Francisco Grand
Jury have in view when it says
30 long as taxpayers continue their needless
party struggles over city affairs. they unwit-
lIngy serve the bosses, who merely hold the
balance of power but thereby control nearly
every department, seriously embarrassing the
few officials who struggle against this subtle in
huence ana strenuously endeavor to be indie
pendent OF 1t. BoSslsDl, like the eucalyptus
sends its roots in every direction stealing s,is-
tenance TO maintain its rapidly growing trunk
ana the sooner it is cut down the easier it will
De To dispose OF those roots and only the tax
payer can Go il.
California metropolis, or in any other city,
in the matter Of re-cstabiishiug the con.
dition of responsibility of the official
servitor torthe people, will be accomplished
only through political duty doing on the
part of citizens on level with the duty
they discharge in the interest of their pri-
nat h.,.r lit
give but little attention to the administra-
ton of public affairs, and neglect to exact
from administrators of public trusts ac-
acknowledgement of direct responsibility to
the voters as a body, rather than to the
bosses, just 50 long the few who handle
plastic and purchasable voting elements
to crafty ambition, or purse greed, will
control. As the San Francisco Grand
Jury puts it:
While the tax payers are devoting themselves
in season and out Of season to the accumulation
OF property to be taxed. the bosses are equally
devoted TO the establishment of avenues into
those accumulatons, and to the more complete
organization of their standing army. which In
cludes many office holders and their employees
as well as the would he oifce-holderS and en-
ployes, all supplemented by the gamblers. the
lovers and the criminal element generally
shyster lawyers not omitted
The jury then enumerate the municipal
departments and Offices the bosses must
control in order to disburSe patronage and
augment their power, and ii is added:
All other acquisitions may be listed as lux
uries. While the taxpayers. in their indiffcr
ent manner, attend TO politics biennially, the
bosses are devoted daily and hourly thereto
When the Taxpayers pretend to give such at
tention they know little or nothing concerning
the candidates and vote from partisan consider
atoms, the Democratic or Republican ticket
serving the bossism OF one faction or the other
Bosses make q business of politics and study all
its games of chance. They appreciate the self
ISL devotion OF business men 10 their respective
callings, and understandlngly gamble on the
ignorance and inaction of such in all political
matters, except in a partisan way.
Men rewarded with municipal positions for
political services are rendered necessarily de-
Pendent upon and loyal to the bosses. hence are
very poor servants to the taxpayers. The anti
boss element now having no positions to offer
even the most competent and worthy men.
cause such to naturally grayitate towards the
bosses and thus aid and strengthen the army of
tie municipal enemy.
TheGrand Jury say that the complaint by
the people San Francisco is, not so much of
the AMOUNT of their taxes, as that they do not
receive roper returns for their money, and
adG-:
For this the taxpayers votes are RESPONSIBLE,
rs veil as for the general existing state OF mum
icipsl affairs, they having although educated
under different circumstances, permitted and
tac.tly encouraged it all They are the parties
who must come promptly to the front and help
yes. effect the rescue and reform. IL the ma.
.tr-d do not art they will still further add &