The morning call., 1891-03-27
THEY WONT RESIGN.
Newly Appointed Port Wardens
Strike a Snag.
Their Democratic Predecessors Say That the
New Board Is Ilegel-A Lack Of Maui
tical Talent the Cause.

On Wednesday morning it was announced
from Sacramento that Governor Markham
had sent to the Senate for confirmation the
names of A. j. Martin, B. j. Watson and j.
w. Gage for the office of Port Warden and
later it was stated that the gentlemen in
question had been confirmed without OPP
position.
Previous to that time S. D. Thornton, who
was one of the original Markham boomers,
had been similarly rewarded for his cam
paign services. and had already taken his
seat in the board. All, therefore, was APP
parently we'll and the Republicans in the
first burst of enthus iasn were congratulate
ing themselves upon the overthrow Of the
Democrats.
Some hypercritical genius. who should
have been more charitable in his dealings,
suddenly discovered that the newly APP
pointed board was Illegal, and he lost no
time in notifying the Democrats who had
been thrust out OF the fact
MUST BE MASTER MARINERS.
The statute was hurriedly looked up, and
1t was found that the law explicitly pro-
vides that two at least of the members of
the Board of Port Wardens shall be master
mariners. This fact, it is claimed, was
UNeIlOUheu Dy luc GONGTHOI Ill HldhIuR MS
selections, and three of the new appointees
are grossly accused of not knowing cat
head from a crOSS-tree. In fact 1t is urged
their only experience in nautical affairs is
comprehended within the limits of an occa-
siOnal voyage to Oakland and return by the
usual ferry-boat route, and this it is urged
is hardly sufficient to constitute them master
mariners. Even the claim that they have
been indusriously engaged for years in
plotting schooners across the bar IS sheer
ingly set aside by their unfeeling opponents,
who will refuse to vacate and Will test the
legality of the board through the medium of
the courts.
THEIR RECORDS AT SEA.
B. j. Watson, or Ben" Watson, as his
intmates know him, has nautical look,
which may be the result of his labOrs as
Naval Officer of this port in years gone by,
and those who know him best claim that his
language is at times imbued with the free
dom of the sea, but his enemies persistently
boot the idea down ana point out the fact
he has been plain newspaper editor,
whose glossy whSkers were never ruffied
by the salt sea breeZeS. Even the rolling
gait which lie displays III walking is unfeel-
ingly attributed to nocturnal adventure in
Nevada County, in which he injured his leg
by stepping unconsciousy into prospect
hole.
The claims of Thornton are more worthy
of consideration. He is known to have
least three times, and openly boasts &C
quaintin ceship with man who has crossed
the Pacific Ocean twice. While THIS might
not entitle him to the claim OF being mas
ter mariner, it certainly suggests an intimate
knowledge of the sea and its ever-chang-
ing wonders that might in the hands of q
designing man be sufficient to impose upon
the ordinary dweller on the land. 1t is not
believed. however, that Mr.. Thornton lays
any claim IN that direction.
A LAND-LUBBER.
The friends of MIR. Martin are silent in
regard to that gentleman's knowledge of
the sea, while he himself blushingly con-
feSses to having spent his life ashore. He
once went on a yachting cruise, he states.
but owing to the rough condition of the
weather he lost all interest in the matter
soon after the anchor was weighed, ana to
this day recalls but dimly the exciting Incl
dents OF the voyage. He never repeated the
is mentioned in his presence.
To camplicate matters nc one OF the three
is willing TO give way. E Ich feels that his
claims for recognition are cOequal with
those of the others, and there the matter
stands. Their names have been confirmed
and their commissions issued. but the Demo
Gratis refuse To acknowledge the invitation
To step down and ont. The latter claim that
the new board as constituted is not legal
one, and they will test the matter in the
courts, with everything apparently i'll their
favor.
Who will give wav. or whether a deadlock
will result, is not yet clear.