The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-09

1eCuly GEAR, anu Iuey dil IOoc Out VI IuelT
chairs at once to say that it was. The big
corporation didn't have to pay out $500 ac-
cording to the law. and it was not for them
to step outside the law in this matter-not
for minute.
Even Hirsch, who never says word
about anything, rose halfway up and
cried, "two or more blocks, Mr.. President,
two or more blocks, it says"
OF course it said two or more blocks,
there was no doubt about it, and that
meant that the company could extend its
lines for twenty miles under bid of $500
But when the eager furry of the eight to
keep the City from taxing the big COM
pany subsidized, clerk John A. Russell mad
a remark that left these eight eager Super
visors without a cloak to hide in-left
them standing there under the eyes of the
throng in the gallery as just plain agents
of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com
pany.
81 should say, perhaps" said Mr.. Rus
sell, that this resolution stands only to
operate where no action conflicting with it
is taken. 1t is an act of the Supervisors
the Supervisors can override it. 1t does
not prevent your fixing any rate you please
to this ordinance
An injection of icewater into the throb-
blng veins of this eager eight could not
have been more effectually cooling than
was this little speech. From that instant
to the end of the session the easy con-
fidence of the lot was changed to sullen
bravado.
They were in for it, and now that the
people were on to them, "the people be
ID" That is the speech that lay in the
tone of voice with which they voted down
every suggestion looking to protection of
the peoples interests.
Mayor Sutro could not let the oppor-
tunity pass. ut is simply question" he
said, whether the Southern Pacific of
Kentucky should not be made to pay as
much for this franchise for line of street.
cars extending over a dozen miles as a
private citizen of San Francisco would
have to pay for it. If there is nothing
further to be said the clerk will call the
roll. The question is upon Mr.. Taylor's
motion to MAKE the minimum bid $4,000
instead of $500. You have asked for the
reading of the law. 1t has been read and
explained to you. There is no doubt of
your right to fix it at whatever figure you
please"
There was an instant of complete silence.
The situation admitted of no further dis
cussion. The clerk began to call the roll
and as stated, in tone of sullen defiance
to public opinion, to which Joseph King,
the first on the role, set the key, these
eight voted mo:
Joseph King.
Peter A. SculIy,
e. e. Benjamin.
Alphonse HIrsch.
L. G. Hughes.
Chris bunker.
r. w. Morgenstern.
Edward L. Wagner.
These four, hopelessly in the minority,
voted aye
Joseph j. Dimond,
&. l.. Taylor,
A. II. Sprecke1s,
j. X. q. Hobbs.
The announcement of this votes in the
affirmative, in the negative-was met by
a burst of derisive laughter from the
crowded gallery, which the sergeant-at-
arms tried to check. The thing was so
utterly shameless that the people could
not but laugh.
Mr.. Taylor rose to his feet again and
was awaited with perfect silence. What
was to be the next move?
''Mr. President" he said, II am anxious
to see if these gentlemen who vote so
solidly in the railroad company's interest
will concede anything at all to the City,
for which it is generally supposed we are
working-or were chosen by the people to
work"
The eight were sinking down in their
seats looking solidly at the desk in front of
them.
Il shall move" went on Mr.. Taylor,
"that the words $4,000 be inserted in the
place of $500.
Hobbs seconded this, as usual. Nobody
offered word and the clerk, at the in
stance of the Mayor, called the roll.
These eight in the same tone as before, a
little emphasized in manner-King and
Hughes little louder, Scully, Hirsch and
the others little more quietly sullen than
before-voted mo-:
Joseph King.
Peter a. Scully.
T.. +. Benjamin.
Alphonse Hirsch.
Il. &. Hughes.
Chris bunker.
A. w. Morg enstern.
Edward l.. Wagner.
These four voted as insistently and con-
sistently AYE:
Joseph I. Dimond.
G.. L. Taylor.
a. Il. Spreckels.
j. X. T.. Hobbs.