Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-07-01
BUSINESS is BUSINESS, )
AND VARIETY THE SPICE OF LIFE,
QU0TH THE MAYOR.
A Lively Tilt at the City Trustees, Session
observation-disclosures Comstock in
War Paint.

at the City Hall was enliyened Yesterday
by little bombshell which Mayor Com
stock exploded. Matters had been dragging
along for some time in a dull and listless
manner, when the Mayor surprised his
fellow-Trustees, the reporters and Chief
CLERK Coffey of the Water-works by draw
ing from his pocket the following docu-
ment, which he read for the benefit of all
concerned:
Feloao Trustees: The first regular quarter of the
year we have spent together is passed. Natu-
RAINY we are getting acquainted. Remarks
eVen aI1o eompllmehtary facetious sarcastic,
is what we are here for. In the discharge of
our duties we should be actuated only by the
pure principles Of business. We are not clerks;
we constitute the most important arm of the
CITY government Our trust is great and let
tnat trust be maintained. In serving the city
our IDEAS 90 not always harmonic. Competency
the great principles of business Three months
passed-what has been done? What have /
QoneI answer with an apology for my errors
l nave done what thought for the best What
can DO for our poor, tax-ridden city propose
10 DO; and here suggest, very respectfully a
change that will be credit to this Board If
adopted Dismiss to-day one water collector
The total collections for four weeks in April
were $3.50 %; four weeks in May, SIS $50 25:
four weeks in July. IS, CAB 75 Total Collections
IN Twelve weeks, Sl7,SS1 2o-an average of 81 1856
per week. or S77,272 per year.
The salaries of collectors and inspectors for
three months amount to l,2OO Add the ex-
pense of stationery, lights, etc., and the cost to
service.
In looking over the books find some DAYS
very little accomplished. Very few bills are
paid that are hard to collect. The hotels, res
taurants, railroads, gas company, electric light
company, ,breweries, landlords, laundries.
da1rles, mills, motors, wholesale stores, and
many other water.takers are easy to collect
from. some $50 Chinese watertakers paw by
the month. Collectors for business houses col
lect often more than $50 bills in a day.
have considered this part of my duty very
seriously, ana feel 1t my business to correct
extraVagance, and recommend to the Board
that one collector be dismissed; and if not dis
charged, 1t Is duty owe the city to protect
her interests, and will refuse to sign the war
Board, very proud; and thus feeling, must do
what Is expected of me and spare none. l ad-
vocate harmony, and hope ever to treat you as
gentlemen while sit in this chair. ask your
indulgence.
Placing his manuscript back in his
pocket, the Mayor proceeded at some
length to criticise the management of the
Water Works department. He thought
the employees did not work faithfully, and
yet the Chief Clerk was demanding more
assistance. He (the Mayor had found the
responsibilities of his Office very onerous
and annoying. 1t was the most arduous
duty he had ever undertaken-to discharge
the office to which he had been elected.
He wanted to do what was right, but found
it very difficult undertaking.
The Mayors criticism of the work of the
Water Collectors stirred up fire in the
breast OF Chief Clerk Coffey, who replied
that the Mayor had been bounding him
since hQ inf off
had charge of the Water Clerks office. and
die not want any unnecessary interference
on the part of the Mayor. He understood
his business, and was collecting more
money than had ever before been collected
IN that office. If the Mayor understood
his own business, and would attend to it.
he would do better than by interfering
with other officials. He (Coffey) had done
his duty faithfully in the past, and would
do SO in tine future, and did not propose to
be bulldozed by anybody
Mayor Comstock said he considered it
his duty to visit the Water Clerks office
and see how things were going on. If he
wore frowns on such occasions it was be-
cause he could not help it. He was built
that way, and he was greatly troubled in
mind by the perplexities of his Office.
Trustees Wolf and Mclaughlin said thew
had known Mr.. Coffey and his two clerks
to work long hours and believed thew were
doing their duty fully.
The discussion then took general turn,
in which the Trustees, Mr.. Coffey and
Clerk Cavanaugh participated.
Trustee Wolf called the Mayors atten-
ton to the fact that there was an ordinance
which provides for the employment and
pay OF the second collector, and it was
shown to him.
The Mayor said he was not aware of the
existence of such an ordinance, and Clerk
Coffey interjected singing remark to the
effect that there were great many other
things he didn't know.
Cottey was angry and he gave the Mayor
to understand that, so long as he (Coffey)
conducted his Office honestly and faith.
fully he should submit to no unwarranted
interference. He said his books were open
to inspection by the public-to the Mayor,
as well as all others. He had nothing to
conceal Mr.. Coffey then explained some
of the difficulties connected with the col.
lection OF water rates, and why it was that
on some days the collectors covered great
deal OF ground without much to show for
1t. He said he had lived here for twenty
four years and he defed the Mayor or any
one else to point to an act of unfaithfulness
or dishonesty on his part.
The Mayor said he had no doubt what
ever OF MIR. Cofey's honesty, butlthought
he did not get work enough out of his
assistants. He (the Mayor wanted to see
that department conducted just as store
keeper would conduct his business.
After catechziing clerk Cavanaugh as to
his days movements and results, the
Mayor declared that the ordinance passed
in 1877 providing for second collector was
passed for political purposes and should be
repealed. He said he was amaZed-hp Was
made nervous-he was struck dumb by
what he had encountered during his brief
term of office. He wanted to do right and
to have credit therefore. He had an old
home in the East where he wanted to be
well thought of, and ne desired to make
good record for economy as Mayor. He
could not see why it should cost the city
seven per cent. to collect It's water rates.
He had his say and hoped he had done
some good by stirring up the matter.
Variety said he, lis the spice of life, and
hY,oip 60