The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-22
Is 1T AN AWAKENING ?

II is pretty well understood by intelli-
gent persons that the inhabitants of this
city for several years past have not had
government Of tEeir choice. A class Of
men Who ought never to have been trusted
have. by the use Of money, secured control
Of nominating conventions aud in this way
obtained the Offices. Il is not necessary TO
20 into details as TO the effects which such
distribution of Offices entails upon the pub
lie. 1t has been simply robbery-high-
handed robbery, nothing less. OF course
an intelligent public realized what was be-
Ing done. They knew that men were
thrust upon both parties for the express
purpose Of robbing the people. The plum
dering was moi done even in the dark. 1t
was open and aboyeboard. but it was use
less for those who were being outraged TO
find fault, for they could not help them
s selves. Buckley was disposed OF. The
head Of one organization was Topped off,
but it is not certain that the persons who
profite1 by his outrages are defeated, for 1t
Is noticed that some of them are quite as
active as ever.
We are at this time approaching other
election. and what has been done toward
Kidding ourselves of the yultures? Nothing,
If we except an organization which it is
said is about to try to rid the city of some
of her troubles. What it will amount to, of
course. depends much upon those who have
the matter in hand and how they are
supported. A contemporary. the Erening
Bulletin, however, publishes the following
in this connection:
NEEDED AWAKENING.
An executive committee of 80 has been formed
to look after the affairs OF this city. Among
49, to-
determined citizens. Tie title they have chosen
does not indicate the character OF the work upon
which they propose TO enter Tie primary
object is TO face corruption wherever found and
bring the guilty parties to justice. Public
opinion for long time served to K ep officials
toieraby straight. But since local affairs got
into the hands of The lower kind of politicians.
this force, once SO Tremendous, has perceptibly
weakened.
The bosses Of the period do not care snap OF
the fingers of what is thought said OF them.
Many OF them are criminals who have lost all
moral sense. The unmistakable air about every
one of them suggests. "N hat are you going to do
about it?" Whatever resources yet remain TO the
public for self-defeDse are growing more feeble
every day. Implicit reliance cannot always be
placed In the courts. As might naturally be
expected tie city Is drifting, certainly not in the
direction OF a sure haven. Crime 10 large
extent goes UNPUBLISHED. Taxes are multiplying
contribute tie less they have to show for it.
The higher the taxes the bigger the deficit.
No mztier where the hand is put there is
giving away from sheer rottenness. 1t would,
perhaps, be surprising II such were not The fact.
There is scarcely any restraint on eyiIdolng
The unfaithiu official who has pulp can do
pretty much what he pleases 1t IS a matter OF
little concern to him what the public thinks OF
him. He is content to b. set down thief and
yagaboud provided he can fill his pockets. and
walk forth unabashed The chances OF getting
decent men Into Office growing less aud less
every day. The self. respecting citizen viii not
stoop to the arts by which nominations are
usually secured. The official who remains faith
full to his constituents may expect TO be retired,
unless be has grown too strong for The bosses.
In that case The nomination may come TO him
unbidden. but care viii always be taken to
circumscribe his activity aud reduce him to a
cipher.
There IS no use In pareying any longer with
corruption In local affairs. The thing TO do Is to
take 1t by the throat aud choke the life out OF Ii.
In caller and ruder times a simpler remedy
might be found But rigid constitutional pro.
ceedings can now only be adopted The ultimate
safely Oh large communities can only be found 10
the Law. Ii Is quite certain that II corruption ia
not checked 1t will hnaliy get away with u.s.
The condition OF things is very gloomy at this
moment. Ii will be ten times worse before long
II no effort is made to bring about change for
ti1c orbtoi' ab SAOCuttfc SOUmlttee on The llne
OF action now mapped out can perform great
work. Its members WIN need all the strength OF
mind, resolution and determination WHICH they
may possess.
This executive committee will have to eouIu
itself with experts, detectives and able lawyers
The experiments cannot be said TO be exactly
new or peculiar 10 San francisco. They have
had to resort TO this method OF SELF defense In
OTHER cities. In fact, this may b said to be the
"last ditch" OF decency 10 Its contest with NUM-
cipal malfeasanee. When the committee gets to
work no effort will be spared to break IL down
twill have TO stand the deti action of yena
and lying press. Every sort OF pressure will bt
brought TO bear on the individual members. But
there are many experienced men among the com
mittee WHO are not likely to be easily diverted
from their purpose Ii Is not possible for any sci
of citizens TO propose to themselves nobleI
work. They may rest assured OF The active and
hearty support OF all tie decent men aud womer
In fhe community.
This Augean stable can be cleaned out Even
handed Justice can tie secured for all citizens
The public Offices can be purified. The bosses
can be expelled. Collision can be ferreied out
and puuished. The dividends that are paid to
officials can be hunted up. The reason Tor the
a,sappearance of tile large amount OF fees be-
longing TO the city can be discovered. The laws
Inv which the fixed income OF the city Is oeing
diverted and new burdens being imposed on the
speonle can be tested. A seismic disturbance can
he confiiyed in and around the Cify Hall mat
will bring many strange Things TO light.