The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-31
MAYOR PONDS
IAMENTATION.
Don't like the Quality of the
Precinct Boards.
He orisets tse Character OF Buckley's Fol
lovers ma Makes Play for Popu-
ar Applause.

Tn Eleet,n Commissioners were in ses-
sion from ] ~ I'D 2:30 o'clock yesterday,
and the en;re session was model OF good
behavior en- re3pectability, as compared
with some Of he'll recent meetings.
Registrar lileg called the attention of
the beard /, The handwriting of Charles
Hannigan ari Michael Stafford, and urged
that such pos pei men were unfit to act in
any capacity where more or less writing
would be rsoired Of them. The Commits
sioners cofus I'd and both names were
stricken irog he list. Mr.. Smiley also
stated II y eff the appontees on the
precinct .c we're low. disreputable
character ad been reported TO him
that some were yasrsHts. one was muir
derer and others wsrs offenders of one kind
or another
Mr.. Sire dCea. 18th a slight ring of
sarcasm, Gsa I'D he same thing
Some ore QH ait h, Of the Re-
pRbliear Sseas saFt co s.
Mayor Pcc 6 81 ise PEI. strar 10 name
some OF M slats characters, where
upon Mr.. alies a1Bea Joseph Demas,
W no, he sal iat:e his living by following
races.
John D. Ennis, member of the Demo
cratic County Committee, denied that
Demas made living 0y questionable
means.
PONDS GRAND STAND PLAY.
Mayor Pond said that he would not vote
for any man whom the Registrar character
lied as ineligible. The Democratic County
Committee could investigate the character
of the Republicans, and if they found
them wanting they would be removed.
j, ii. Zermansky, who has charge of the
Democratic Registration Bureau, accused
Mr. Smiley Of tiI.hinu fanlt nplv .pitl fha
DemocI attic clerks. To his certain knowl-
edge there were many disreputable charac-
tiers among the Republican app0iutees, and
he thought they too should be removed.
MI Strpther suggested that accredited
representatives OF both parties should con-
fer and weed out the Objectionable charac-
tiers from both lists, but the board decided
that it was the Registrars duty to attend to
matters OF that nature.
The remainder of the session, upward of
three hours, WAS consumed in the eXanina-
ton of app0inteeS Of whom there was the
least bit Of doubt.
Generally speaking they were pretty de-
cent appearing set of young men. Those
against whom the slightest objection was
raised were promptly scratched off the list,
and the work of examination moved along
with comparatively little friction. The
names OF those VINO did not appear after
having been summoned three times were
ordered dropped.
KNEW HIM OF OLD.
When the name OF William Collins was
called the Registrar raised an objection to him
on account of his past record a. member OF
a precinct board. At the election of 1888
Collins assisted the count in the Second Pre-
cinct OF the Thirty-tiiTd District, and when
the recount was made during DIR. y Don
nell's contest, it was found that Mayor Pond
had been credited with about thirty votes
more than he received.
nd mo FRI Nh of Cnl1iDs
assisted in that count he should not be al
lowed to serve again. The case was referred
to the Registrar for investigation.
OF the long list examined it was only occa-
sionally at name was dropped, because it
was found that lie had been assessed in red
ink, that is, arbitrarily assessed so as to
qualify him for service on precinct boards.
After the names had all been canyasSed,
Registrar Smiley made loud call Tor w. }.
Fitzgerald. 1t was MIR. Fitzgerald who APP.
peared before tie Commissioners at one OF
the recent disgraceful sessions and pro-
tested against the employment In the
Registrars office of John c. Feeney, who he
said was perjurer and an ail-round dis
reputable character. Two years ago he SAID
Feeney registered under the name oil Harry
Elmore; but worse still. he was an opium
fiend" and dive actor.
FEENEY RETAINED.
Mr. Smiley set about investigating the
case. He found that Feeney was ready to
answer all the charges made, and therefore
Fitzgerald was sent for. Again and third
time he was summoned, but failed to put in
an appearance, Notwithstanding he had
boastfully identified himself as the Superin-
tendent of the Santa Cruz Bituminous Rock
Company, and was ready to put his reputa-
ton against anyb0dy's at any time.
Mr.. Smiley said lie had found Mr.. Feeney
to be one of the most reliable and eompe-
tent clerks in his office, and unless his loud
mouthed accuser would come forward like
a man and sustain his accusations he hoped
the board would dismiss them.
The charges against Mr. Feeney were or
dered dismissed, and the board adjourned
to meet again on Tuesday morning.
After the meeting adjourned Mayor Pond
was surrounded by several friends who
wanted 10 express their congratulations.
In expressing himself about the work of
the Democratic committee in selecting citi-
zens for the precinct boards, he sid he was
thoroughly disguised with it.
Now look at those lists" he said. Pm
pretty well acquainted In this city, and yet
out of all those 800 names don't suppose |
know three. II does seem to me that good
responsible citizens VINO are better known
to the public could have been chosen Tor
this work"