The morning call., 1892-05-27
st,ooo,oOO FOR NOTHING.

a local contemporary estimates that San
Francisco expends $1,000, 600 for nothing.
with less than one-third the population Of
Chicago san Francisco expends twO-thlTds
As much money. This shows that the cur
rent expenses Of San Francisco are twice as
great in proportion 20 population as the
current expenses Of Chicago. In another
column in tie same issue our contemporary
attributes all the shortcomings Of san
Francisco to that portion Of its press which
has been styled silurians. 1t shows that
the city wastes 100000 a year and CON-
plains because silurans have refused to
hand over a large portion Of their earnings
to the men who have wasted million. This
showing certainly seems TO indicate that the
sJ-eaIled siluTians are the best friends this
city has. We do not know which line OF
argument our contemporary proposes to fol-
low. II it shall appear that the Democrats
are to have the handling Of the city's money
next year it will doubtless continue to de-
aounce the siurians. If, GU the other hand,
the Republicans should seem likely 10 win,
it may turn siiurian itself Without giving
much consideration to the motive which has
induced our contemporary TO state one
truth, we accept the statement as an
limit provides money enough for all
useful purposes. Our contemporary GER
tainly VIII not propose to add to the
rate Of taxation while stating that One-fifth
Of our present revenue is wasted. The
question for the public to consider is if it is
worth while to check this waste. VIII the
taxpayers take the time and trouble neees-
sary to put responsible men in office? The
new election law opens a way to do it.
When tie Buckley forces on one side and
the Crimmins and Kelly forces on the other
nominate their tools for another municipal
term, viii the taxpayers meet without Gis
tinction Of party and nominate honest
men, who are free from the obligations to
party bosses which have almost compelled
the several heads of departments to break
their pledges? To do this will not be diff
cult. a petition signed by 5000 voters will
give any man therein designated place on
the official ballot Then. when the election
comes. the voters may choose between the
two party candidates, both Of whom will be
pledged 10 hand over a portion Of the money
that passes through their la nds 10 political
buses. aud the non-partisan candidate, who
has been selected on the ground Of personal
character and capacity.
In respect to municipal politics there is
no substantial difference between the Two
parties. The same methods prevail in both.
The men who conduct primaries, and conse-
Quently control conventions, give nomina-
lions only to those who will carry out their
schemes. They have no use for honest and
independent men. a Supervisor who will
not vote for a franchise which Will bring
money to the bosses is an obstacle to be
gotten rid Of. The head Of department
who keeps expenses down TO estimates, and
hereby depriYes the bosses Of the commits
Won they receive Oh salaries, is worse than
4 silurlan. 1t should be manifest to every
citizen that we cannot have a decent city
government while such methods are the
-ule. Tue overthrow Of the boss system is
he essential condition of reform. Buckley
fell two years ago under an exposure Of his
methods. Republican bosses have taken
his place who are not a shade better The
success Of neither of the national parties in
the municipal contest holds out better
promise than the realization Of the past
four years, Two years ago there was no
avenue Of escape from boss rule. At pres
ent there is. The way to overthrow the
bosses is as plain as the way to the polls.
The only question is if the taxpayers will
avail themselves Of it.
1t should also be borne in mind that the
railroad plumbers the public by the use Of
bosses. II was at one time Carr, at another
Buckley, and then Crimmins and Kelly. Is
it not time to cast off the railroad bosses
and govern ourselves?