The morning call., 1894-08-27

Of 1889 provided that the assessment rolls
shall be completed on the first" Monday
IN July, while the original charter, for
which the people voted. according to a
copy fled with the Recorder, and copies
printed in the daily prints read the last"
Monday IN July, 1t was thought, as re-
cited in the columns of this paper yester-
day, that some careless engrOssing clerk
at Sacramento had thOughtlessly written
first" instead of Last in the minutes.
But the investigation of Mr.. Dalton in
the Capitol at Sacramento prove that it
was no such inn ocent mistake. He found
that the copy of the charter, Senate Joint
Resolution No. l, signed by the secretary
of the Senate, the clerk of the Assem- oily.
president pro TEN. of the Senate and the
Speakers of the Assembly. and attested
blythe Secretary of State. and certified to
by G. d. Pierce. then Mayor of Oakland,
shows section 138 to read, ION or before the
first Monday in July" etc. The en-
crossed COPY OF this same resolution, filed
in the office of the Secretary of State.
February ID, 1894. and signed by the proper
officers, reads In the same manner But
on the other hand, Mr.. Dalton found that
the original document, on which action
was taken before the House. reads, ION or
before the last Monday in july"
But it was in Senate journal No. l,
dated January II, 1889, that he found con-
elusive evidence Of wrOng-doing, In this
journal WAS written the entire charter.
The investigator found that originally the
word last mad been written in section
138. but that it had been scratched out in
very bungling manner ana the word
first" substituted, but in darker ink
and different handwriting.
The ruse, however, will not succeed, ac-
cording to the SPECIAL attorneys for the
city. who predicate their opinion upon the
section Of the constitution which provides
Al.aH I'LL
amend charter, but must either accept or
reject it as whole, and they will prove
that the charter submitted to the House
read last Monday in July"
But the whereabouts of the origin al
charter is another mystery. 1t was filed
with the Mayor of the city and until yes
terdey 1t was supposed TO be there still.
a most diligent search, however, failed to
reveal il. 1t is feared that it has gone the
way of other papers which have mysteri-
Ously disappeared from public offices.
The special attorneys and the city attor-
ney will hold a conference to-day, and on
their decision will depend whether or not
the City Council shall sit tonight as a
board of equalization. It is almost certain
that they will. however, and Councilman
Dalton will present lot of data to show
that the assessed valuation of the Southern
Pacific Company and other corporations
falls far short of their real valuations. He
fayOrs increasing the total assessment of
the Contra Costa Water Company from
S315, 125 to at least 100000. and the Sunset
Telephone Company from about $50, 800
TO no less than 100000.
Although the water front company
claims TO own the entire front, they will
he assessed for no part of it. The Council
fears that by assessing that company for
any part Of the property for which the
city is now fighting, they would put them
selves on record as recognizing its owner
ship by the water front company.
In the intricate tangle OF this whole
matter there is not anybody or anything
lnso peculiar position as City Attorney
James a. Johnson. Standing as the legal
adviser of the COunclihe rendered them
an opinion against their jurisdiction as a
board of equalization. They got different
opinion from the special attorneys, and
without paying any further attention to
Mr.. johnson proceeded with the business
In hand. What he will do in the premises
IS the subject of considerable speculation.
At the meeting last Thursday evening
there was considerable fear expressed by
the City Attorney and Auditor Snow that
the proceedings would isopardize the
assessment rolls for the entire year. Coun-
ciImen Smell and Watkinson had the same
lear ana voted against the increased
assessments. But eXMayor Davis, one of
the special attorneys, holds that the fear is
without foundation.
He said yesterday: lido not think that
in any event the rolls would be endan-
.gered. II the board had no jurisdiction
when it raised the assessment the only
effect in my mind would be that the as
sessmeut would stand just as before the
change was made. IN other words the as-
s6ssnent rolls would stand lust as thew
would had the Council made no attempt 10
alter them"
Arrogant Corporations.
The Board of Supervisors are expected
to accomplish some important legislation
at their regular weekly meeting TODAY.
Chief in Importance, perhaps, is the ad.
lustment Of the water rates in vogue a;
Golden Gate. The residents of this suburb
petitioned some time ago for reduction