The herald., 1894-03-30
FIRES SOME RED HOT SHOT,
a Taxpayer Hauls COuncilmen
Over the Goals.
He Says They Are Heartless Toward
the Unemployed.
A Comparison with Trying Time in
the History OF France Instituted;
A Special Legislative Ses-
n sIou Suggested.

Charming Severance, who signs him
self as Citizen Eector No. 9619, de-
seconded on the city council like wolf
on thu fold yesterday, and unloaded
petition on the city fathers alike csustic
and voluminous on the unemployed
ensslion
The petition, which is on file in the
clerks Office, begins as follows:
To he Members OF the Council:
GESTLEMEN--Your heartless inditfer
ence regarding the hRrdships and suffer
ings OF the unemployed in the city ap-
parently reveals the fact that You are
untit to occupy the positions you now
hold. You have placed on file pet'
tion, which is equivalent to putting it in
the waste basket, with as much uncon-
Germ as though it had reference to the
next generation; and by doing 80 you
have shown that your sympathies for
the victims Of unjust law, who cannot
lind u market for their labor are much
the came as we're those OF the MOBILES OF
France, who in 1889. through their
mouthpece, Foulon, said "If the peo-
pie are hungry let them eat grass"
ANY man II possessed OF the common
spirit OF humanity should, when endow-
ed with legal powers and authority,
seek 10 alleviate human misery pro-
duced by bad laws, and establish ways
and means by which willing labor could
sustain life; but you, gentlemen, shirk
your responsibilities and turn such
matters over to the Associated Chari-
ties.
1t is not the proper thing to do; and
If you arc really convinced, which very
much doubt, that you have not the
legal power to provide work and wages
for those who can find nothing to do,
then it is your solemn duty to make
such facts and conditions known to
some higher authority, though you have
to appeal 10 the governor OF the state
himself, who is authorized to convene
the state legislature when occasion de-
mauds.
We are SO hampered and restricted by
statute laws that when man gets out
of employment and can find no more,
he is forced TO become an outcast and
often q criminal, for if a man has no
poseib ble means of support he is va
grant, and II he begs for food he cannot
earn, he is then criminal and liable to
from Is to 80 days in the chain gang.
After man has been forced to beg or
steal to keep from starving then you are
ready and aeem to have the power 10
feed as we'll as to work him, and have
DO doubt that ii every man in the In
dustrial army should violate the city
ordinence by begging you would see
that every one OF them had board and
lodging at the expense of the city in less
than "a hours.
Mr.. Severance then goes on 10 say
that it would be true charity to % ride
aheae men with work without O Ang TO
the expense of buying balls and chains
for them. II the council will not do this,
then they should be provided with food
to go to Washington and lay their case
before the head Of the nation, and at
the same time advertise the fact that
while California is paradise for the
man with money 1t is no place for the
poor man, because he cannot secure
enough work to keep him from starving.
The petition will be submitted to the
council by the city clerk at the regular
meeting on Monday next.
petition was also fled yesterday
from residents OF Adams and Flower
streets, asking Tor sewer beginning on
Flower street go feet south OF the south
side OF Twenty-third street, and running
along Flower street to Adams, and along
Adams street to a connection with the
Figueroa- street sewer. The property
owners ON Adams street yesterday asked
for sewer. beginning on Hope street
south of Twenty-third street and run
ming thence along Hope street to Adams
street, to a connection with the present
Grand-avenue sewer. Both of the above
will be presented at the next council
meeting.