The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-22
THEY CRY REFORM.
Publication of Oakland
Politics.
TO OVERTHROW CORRUPTION.
Comparison of the Past With What
the Citizens League Expects
to Accomplish.

Reform" is the battle-cry of deep-think
Ing. conscientious taxpayers of Oakland,
who are already making active preparations
Tor the municipal election on March g. To
overthrow corruption in every department
OF the city and county government is the
object to be attained.
brief comparison between what politics
have been in the past in Oakland under the
guiding hand and gold of the Southern Pa
cifc Railroad Company and what reforms
are anticipated will De OF interest just now,
when the political pot is beginning TO SIM
mer
First for che past.
Now listen TO whata man who has kicked
over the Southern Pacific traces has TO say
upon the subject.
For tile past seventeen years." said r.
n. Getehell, School Director and promI-
nent merchant, Il have been member of
every republican city aud county canyen-
tion. During that time l know positively
mat no one has ever held city office from
Mayor down 20 Poundkeeper without first
having been selected or Endorsed by the
Southern Pacific or Is henchmen. No, sir;
no one has ever received q nomination in
Oakland without first having gone to Fourth
and townsend streets, San Francisco, or to
manlpulatorS sent out from that remarkable
office. tell you-and | have good cause to
know-that the Southern Pacific Company
o~nS Its men In Oakland Just as much as 1t
does It's engines and other rolling stock.
Funny state of affairs? Yes. but only
too true. There are four men in Oakland
who handle the Southern Pacific sack in all
lis political chicanery here. One is rail-
road Official whom every one knows, an
other is member of the Board of Public
WORKS. third is known as the Doodle
attorney and the fourth is a Saioon-keeDer.
AT first. continued the disgusted official,
Il was nncOusciOusly a tool to the graspiBg
railroad corporation. But too many evil
denees OF crcokedness have [ witnessed TO
any longer be In doubt l have been at
caGcuSeS OF men who manipulate the rail
road sack, and at one city convention /
know that one delegate received $1,000 for
his vote. VI course, every one knows of
my struggle to retain possession of my strip
OF wharf on the water front. 1t is only
question OF tins when will be routed and
Will have TO seek another site for my coal
and wood business.
mo, / don't seek any further honors as
city official, and owing TO my past con-
nection with railroad tools it would be i'm
possible for me TO secure another Office if l
so aspired."
This is only sample of past politics in
Oakland. Dozens of others could tell a
similar tale II they dared.
Now for the proposed reform Within a
few days the Citizens Municipal League of
Oakland. which promises to prove such a
prominent factor in the coming campaign,
VIII decide upon an Interesting platform
In brief, the platform will advocate a re-
form in city government, the recovery OF
the water front, better and cheaper water
and general remedy for many of the
present evils.
1t was when the city was threatened by
the invasion OF p0olroOms and beokmakers
that the league spEang into existence. 1t
rapidly oroadened, and during the recent
election lis power was such as 10 defeat the
Issuance of S400, coo worth of park and
boulevard bonds 1t advocated ana materi-
ally assisted, however, in the much needed
Improvement OF the public schools.
The league shall represent the working
man, the man OF small income and the capt.
taiiSt,' were the principles upon which the
league was founded, land it shall not be a
political party, claiming the patronage from
ofhce-holders, but like the man who admin
listers 10 his own estate this league v i'll seek
TO appoint faithful and honest agents to ad-
minister the municipal revenue which is
made up OK the aggregate of the contribu-
tons from citizens and taxpayers of this
municipality. Its object shall also be to ex-
eVcise beneficial influence in the adminIs-
tration OF the municipal government OF the
city OF Oakland, by holding its officers to
strict accountability In the discharge OF
their official duties, by all lawful meaus to
restrain them from acts detrimental to the
public welfare, to see that the laws ara
justly aud thoroughly executed, to secure
the passage of good laws and ordinances
and 10 prevent the enactment of all such
adverse to the public interest, with an in.
tention and desire solely to promote the
best interests and welfare of the city of
Oakland, in the State of California, regard
less of State and national politics or Federal
questions"
the league" said prominent member
yesterday, was a nucleus around which
the best element OF Oakland property-oWn-
ers have gathered. There was no one TO
organize or take the Lead in the movement
against railroad corruption until the league
started. We took no part in the recent cleo
ton so far as county and national affairs
were concerned and confined our efforts to
city reforms. During the last campaign we
suspended meetings, but this year we pro-
pose TO nominate citizens ticket.
"So far our strength has not been in num-
bers, but in the respectable, honest element
TO be found in the leagues ranks. We ap-
precate the efforts of THE CALL In assisting
US in the big undertaking to purify Oak
land politics, and with its help there is little
doubt of our success in March,"
Arrangements for the leagues convention
will soon be completed. The delegates are
to consist of the twenty members of the
central committee and about thirty-fve rep
reSentatiye citizens to be selected from those
not already in the league. 1t is safe to say
that only men whose honesty and integrity
cannot be doubted will be placed upon the
ticket