The record-union., 1892-02-08

reason why the city should remove him
and put an untried man in his place.
Mr.. Hart deserves to be, and we believe
will be elected, because he is fit and has
proved his capacity and his worthiness.
We believe that Mr.. Timothy Lee
should not be elected Chief of Police. The
REcoRD-UNIoN supported him warmly
when he ran before, and, in common
with those who voted for him, repented
it thereafter sincerely, for he did not
prove faithful to the desires of the citizens
to whom he owed his election. In his
private life he is good citizen and an
amiable man; he is an efficient officer,
and in character he stands high. But as
Chief of Police he was failure, and this
is not the time to give him another trial.
Mr.. Bradley is practically newcomer;
the people know little of him. He is well
spoken of as good citizen, and he has
commanding presence.
Matt. Karcher is an old-time chief, was
thorough good officer, as well fitted by
experience as Mr.. Lee, and stands in the
community as his peer as a good citizen.
But this is the time when a younger,
more vigorous and energetic man and
representative should be called to the
office.
John B. Rodgers the RECoRD-U UNION
believes to be such man. From infancy
he has been a Sacramentan. But 81
years of age, in the prime of life, robust,
lily, of untiring industry, familiar with
the city and its needs, and man of up
rightness, positiyeness, cleanliness and
clear Judgment; sober, intelligent and
courageous, he would, we believe, make
an efficient, fearless and incorruptible
Chief of Police. The confidence men re-
pose in him is eXemplifed by the fact
that for twenty-five years he has been
employed in the same manufacturing
works, where he daily earns his bread;
that he is the chosen head of the Black
smiths Union; that he has honorably
filled the position of President of the
Exempt Firemen's Association, and as
present trustee of that body received,
though not asking for the place, the high
est vote cast at the recent election.
Mr.. Rogers has youth, energy, freedom
from boss influence or any past political
entanglements on his side. We do not
believe that he is owned by any one, or
pledged to any one. or subject to any in
fuences except his own Judgment and
the dictates of wisdom and conscience.
His candidacy we look upon as fortu-
nate thing for Sacramento in the present
emergency. He never could have re-
ceived nomination at the hands of boss
rulers, because he is not subservient to
them and has nothing to redeem or to
repent in politics. He is nominated
under the official ballot law by seven
hundred free citizens, and the list could
easily have been trebled. That in
dorsement but reflects the confidence
felt in him. He will not command the
vote of the dives, and if he is elected he
will never be heard advancing the plea
that he is ignorant Of the character of
all about If elected, we believe that he
will don the uniform, do duty, be seen of
men and not find it necessary to make
his office chambers the field of his activ-
ity.
Mr.. Higgins, also nominee for Chief
of Police, is good officer. So far as we
know good citizen, courageous in duty
doing and ambitious, as he ought to be.
However much he may disclaim it he is
backed by influences he cannot ignore;
influences that it is understood when he
was made an officer claimed to own him;
influences that must be eliminated from
city affairs before Sacramento will be
wholly free city; influences that de-
mand and exact tribute and that hold
officials they make to be loyal first to
CllClIl anu SSCOllO W tnS ClGy MI
gins is unfortunate; he is more to be
pitied than condemned. He would not
be Chief Of Police, however much he
may now think to the contrary. AS an
officer he might well enough be retained
upon the force: as Chief both he and the
force would be burdens to the city, and
of that kind of weight carrying Sacra-
mento has had enough.
Mr.. Scott and Mr.. Morrison challenge
our judgment about equally, for Fire
Commissioner. They are sterling good
men, having and deserving universal re-
spect. Choosing between the two, how
ever, Tom Scott, it appears to the REC
ORD UNION, should be elected. He is an
old time citizen, man Of positive views,
sensible to conviction however, and as
sturdy in his integrity as the best Of the
Romans.
RAILROAD VS.. WATER TRANS
PORTATION.
James ]. Hill is one of the largest ship
owners doing business between the ports