The record-union., 1891-02-12
SIN FRANCISCO FIRENEH.
VINO Shall Select Commissioners to
Govern Them?
Arguments of Those who Are Opposed
to Giving the Governor the
Power to Do It.

The meeting of the San Francisco legis-
iative delegation, to deliberate upon A. B..
Ia and its substitute, which took place in
the Assembly chamber last night was
rather late i'll convening. The visitors
IRON San Francisco did not appear at an
early hour, but finally Mr. Wentworth.
Chairman of the delegation, called those
present to order.
Chairman Wentworth first introduced
Louis Sloss, President of the Alaska
Commercial Company. Mr.. Sloss said
he bad been desired TO come here by his
ieliow-citizens to protest against the SUBJ
stiiute to A.. Is. la, which substitute
places the appointment of the Board of
Fire Commissioners in the hands of the
Governor and places the auditing of all
expenses of the Fire Department in the
power OF the Commissioners. Mr.. Sloss
said that San Franciscans protest against
anyone outside of themselves SELECTING
any officers of the city government. They
have built up the metropolis and are
capable. OF self-government. Mr.. Sloss
believed it was autocratic rather than
democratic, to place the appointment
With the central government. His feI-
iow-cltiZens were well enough satisfied
with the original bill, but they don't
want the substitute.
Henry l.. Dodge, President of the San
Francisco Board of Trade, could not see
why the original bill should not pass, but
he thought the substitute discourtesy to
the people of San Francisco Why should
the appointing power be placed in the
hands OF the administration? San Fran
cisco has to raise money for her own gov
ernment, besides for large part of State
finances, and is entitled to decide for her
self. The Fire Department, under Buck
ley, had run down and wants rehabiiita-
tlon. 1t was unfair to load the Governor
with the responsibility. He hoped the
| substitute would not be passed.
Supervisor Tabor of San Francisco
spoke also of the injury to local pride
done by the substitute bill; also. too
much financial power was vested in the
Board OF commissioners, who can almost
1,ankfupl the city, as all bills audited by
them must be paid. All other depart-
ments are responsible to the Board of
Supervisors; but the Fire Commissioners.
by the provisions of the substitute. are
not. He would be satisfied to have the
commissioners appointed by the Mayor
| or the Board of Supervisors.
To question as to whether the Gov
ernor would not appoint as good board
as the Mayor, Mr.. Tabor replied: "Possi-
bly,, but it is reflection upon the intelli-
gence of our citizens"
Mayor Hazard of Los Angeles was in
troduced. He was sorry to say that the
provisions of the substitute applied to
Los Angeles also. Mr. Hazard criticised
other bills also passed by the present
Legislature, notably Ne. 20S, passed YES
terday afternoon. He believed it impos-
sibie Tor the Governor to appoint without
bias They had had experience in ,os
Angeles with appointed commissioners,
and they wanted to be left out of all such
legislation hereafter.
"a. a. Dorm, the attorney, was opposed
to the substitute ON the principle that II
was tendency toward centralization of
power, and consequently un-American.
He was not here to engage in any fieht
between the Governor and the Sinner
visors, but he did net like Federal or
State interference in local Government.
He put the question squarely:
DO you believe that the appointing
power for municipal governments should
rest with the Governor?' Mr.. Dorm be-
IIeved he had found the bug" in the bill.
The Mayor is made, in one section. eX-
ofilcio President OF the Board Of Com
missIoners, while in another section the
commissioners are authorized to elect
PRESIDENT from one of their number at
Ihe ilrst meeting after their appointment.
III the Mayor should die, the Governor
has power TO appoint another President
to the board, who might be construed to
be ex-officio Mayor for the interim in the
term.
Supervisor Burling advocated the DAILY
bill, but did not wish the substitute.
Mayor George I'll. Sanderson of San
francisco denounced the substitute as n
direct insult to San Francisco and he,
supervisors, and direct charge that she
is not able to govern herself. Why, the
Governor is not even bound to appoint
citizens of San Francisco, but NAV send
men from San Andreas or Milpifas to
manage the department. and virtually to
control the treasury of the city. The
Mayor looked at ii from q business stand
point, and asked, 'Must we come to Sac
ramento like q child to its motherp
Must We run here to complain when the
Elre commissioners do wrong? We
don't need the Governor to run our CITY.
swamped."
AT the conclusion of Mayor Sanderson's
remarks the committee adjourned.