The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-10
III NICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

The point at which the American people
ana government come in closest contact is
in municipal government. The national
Government attends to foreign affairs, en-
acts general laws, distributes public lands,
keeps Indians in as good subsection as may
BE necessary, provides for the national de-
Tense. and We all want that these affairs
shall be wisely conducted. We want to
have our foreign controversies based upon
the right and to see our position main
tanned. We want that the President shall
be wise, honest and Courageous; that Con-
gress shall al least aim TO serve the people;
that our national courts shall take a high
place among tribunals Of the world, and we
Ike TO see any person who disgraces an
Cfiice kicked out. But after all it is the
municipal government that elbows US at
every turn. Are our schools, which we
support SO literally, what they should be
II they are it is because that branch Of city
government is in good hands. Are the
streets well paved, clean and pleasant to
move about in? II the answer is in the
affirmative We may be sure that the money
set apart for that department has been we'll
expended. On the contrary, if the streets
are badly paved. dirty, dusty and foul
4
the streets in good order has been diverted
10 other uses. And then there are the Fire
Department and Police Department. DO we
feel safe from sweeping conhagrations and
from the assaults OF the Iawless class thar
iufest5 all cities? If we do it is because
these two departments are reputed TO be
efficient. Are the County Hospital, the
AlmshUuse and other public institutions
A. liz Al. ~.
are literally supported, bat we are not
always certain that tbs money is wisely
expended. And, above all, are our municipal
courts tribunals in which justice is almost
sure to be administered? Are the Judges
learned, honest and devoted to duty? Do
they look past the individual before them
and examine the cause presented? Are the
widows and orphans made certain of their
Inheritance? Are the weak and ignorant
cared for by the officials il whose hands
their interests are placed?
Municipal government, which comes so
close to US, which creates the moral atmos-
phere we breathe, which comes into our
homes whether we will or not, which con-
fronts US wherever we go, and pleases us
with its well-doing or irritates US with its
misdong, is admitted to be the weak spot
IN our republican experiment Ii does not
command the services Of our best citizens.
With here and there an exception men seek
municipal Offices for their own profit. There
does not seem to be much patriotism in the
service, nor much shame for evil-doing,
R0bbng the people is regarded rather as a
good joke than as a crime. The man that
can get away with The largest amount is
quite likely to have the largest following at
tbs next election.
An earnest appeal will be made this fall
to purify the city government. 1t Is fully
resolved that all the old party machinery
must be thrown aside. Where party men
have proved honest and capable they will be
taken up and promoted. But the methods
by which municipal officials have been nomi-
mated are vile beyond endurance The new
movement will start from the ground up.
The municipal thimble-riggers have to 90.