The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-17
DOODLE BEATEN IN OAKLAND.

People feel a good deal encouraged by the
break in the municipal ring IN Oakland. 1t
is comfortable to perceive that when public
opinion is brought TO bear with vigoT upon
d ring, it is apt to give way. The next time
a solid nine set decency at defiance in San
Francisco, under the leadership Of a corrupt
loss, honest citizens may indulge the hope
that tie nine will be discounted, if they
are attacked with power and skill.
As q general Tule municipal bosses choose,
on the average, fair appearing material for
Boards Of Supervisors and Common Coun-
els They would risk defeat If they did
hot The mass is leaTeBed with a few ad-
heTents Of the boss. who are not by any
means good material, but creep into Office
i'm order to pull wires, and lead the body
Wien a corrupt scheme comes Gp, these
wire-pulleTs offer their more decent appear
ing colleagues this alternative-!f you vote
for this measure, you viii get your share OF
the Swag; If you DO not vote tor it, you 60
back on the boss who nominated and elected
you. and you viii never be heard Of again
In politics. 1t Will be seen that the tempta-
ton to do wrong is strong, and that it is apt
70 be irresistible with men of weak prin-
ciple and limited foresight.
There is but one way in which these
tactics can be met. and that is by a public
demonstration eOuutering the boss. If the
people are wide awake enough TO watch
over the course of public affairs, they can
always make It plain to Supervisors and
Common Councils that the measure urged
by the boss is not acceptable, and they in
their turn can offer their representatives the
alternative Of standing by the boss and
forfeitiDg public confidence, or discarding
the boss and gaining the esteem Of voters.
The people never forget a man who has
been true to them, and they rarely fail to
punish those who have been false. OF the
men who have been conspicuous among our
municipal Supervisors and our city Assem-
blymeu, during the last twenty years, not one
remained in public life after he assumed the
collar Of the boss. Men who have risen to
be Congressman OF Governor made their first
hit by opposing the boss.
There are men conscientious but mex
perienced, who sometimes vote for boss
schemes from a mistaken sense Of duty.
They say that it is not clear to them that the
public are opposed to the schemes. These
persons are confirmed in their doubts by the
attitude of a certain portion of the news
paper press, which is under boss control,
aud supports boss jobs to order. 1t is IN
fortunate that such newspapers should exist.
To the older members Of the community
aud to all deserving citizens, their position
is known, and their power for evil is very
limited. 1t is only with tyros in public life
that they can WELD influence. The con-
scientious Supervisor or Assemblyman need
never be misled either by them OF by the
peTfdious cOunsels Of adheTentS of the boss,
if he will observe the course of those among
his colleagues whom he knows to be honest
and experienced, and if he. gathers bis
notion of public opinion from journals
which have no personal aims TO secure, no
plumber in view. and no policy except a
purpose to serve the public aud its interests