The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-12

the tank is a vast stage on which free
concerts are given every Sunday. There
is absoluI ely nothing forgotten In this
spacious building erected by the engi-
neer-mayor of this city at cost of ST.
600, 0o0 to teach his people that clean1i-
ness Is next TO godlness.
Mayor Sutro's Library.
This is only one thing which Mr. So
40 has done for San Francisco. He has
a library of 800, coo volumes, which he
intends to give the city. At present these
volumes, many of the rarest and most
precious books TO be secured for love or
money, are stored in his down town
offices, but it is the mayors intention
TO build a suitable receptacle for them
in time and to bestow the library upon
the city.
My meeting. with Mr. Sutro was sin
gularly agreeable. I missed him at the
city hall, but a brisk conversation
through the telephone made up for the
disappointment. His private secretary
entertained me until his honor's car
riage was seen coming up the street.
Then through devious and winding
staircases I was conducted to the city
halls family entrance, where in a
little courtyard, walking up and down
awaiting me, was the mayor of this big
town. Mr.. Sutro, though nearly 80 years
old, is as particular about his dress as
any young blood, and certainly, in his
pearly gray SLOUGH hat, his biscuit col
ored topcoat, his terra Gotta gloves and
irreproachable business suit, was as fine
looking a man as one could see on Fifth
avenue or down in the Stock Exchange
in Wall street.
Kindly expressing the pleasure he felt
at renewing a former acquaintance, he
assisted me into his carriage, and we
turned toward his house On Sutro
Heights, where was to dine with him.
We stopped at the baths, where with
just pride in his great achievement he
pointed out the various features Of the
place. Then after look at the seals and
the Cliff House we turned into his pri-
vate grounds and drove up to his house,
q quaint, picturesque, rambling sort of
q building, full of odd hooks and cor
ners, every room commanding superb
views of the ocean tumbling almost at
its doors. Mr.. Sutro's own apartment
reminds one of ships cabin. One side
is all of glass, and here stands an i'm
mense collection of spyglasses, through
which the mayor never tires of watch
ing the ocean. The dining room is be-
low, and as one goes down the stairs,
which look out upon the Pacific, one is
again impressed with the idea that he
is aboard ship and going down to the
saloon. The mayor has large family,
four daughters and two sons He is
quite patriarchal figure as he sits at
his board. He is q connoisseur of wines
and a delightfully."- entertaining host.
mir. Sutro, tell me about your fight
with the Southern Pacific road" I
asked.
''It was over the fare to the beach
and Cliff House, you know" replied
Lr. Sutro. 81 wanted the road to
charge only single fare where they
were charging two 5 cent fares. MIR.
Coils Huntington sat right where you
are sitting now when I said to him:
Mr.. Huntington. the Southern Pacific
road ought to tax the people but 5
cents to come cut to the beach. I ask
you now to reduce the fare. Mr.. Hunt
ington smiled and refused. Very WE'LL,
said, then I shall fight you. We were
pleasant and friendly enough over it,
but from that hour began warfare.
And I never ceased until the railroad
gave in. -
''What were your taetics?"
81 had an army of men next day
build the high wall you noticed as we
drove out around the Cliff House prop
erty, SO as to keep out the passengers
brought out by the railroad company.
Travel at once fell off so per cent. Then
I fought them in Washington, where I
I
I had thousands of pamphlets printed at
my own expense, How Members Of
Congress Are Bought and circulated
not only in Washington, but at the
homes Of the congressman. This pro-
duced very good effect. raked up the
entire history of the Southern Pacific,
which no one knew better than I, as I
had spent ten years in Washington. I
demonstrated TO the satisfaction of ev-
eryDody that the railroad wished to get
control of the beach and the Cliff House
that it might have the monopoly of this
resort, as it has of the Yosemite and
Del Monte Well, my battle for the
rights Of the people made me mayor.
The old party leaders tried every COM
bination against me, but without sue
cess. Three days before election the
Southern Pacific announced that after
Nov. IL single ticket would carry any
one from the ferries to the beach. The
railroad managers fully expected this
would take the ground from under me,
! but they argued from false standpoint.
| On the contrary, this concession elected
ne mayor"
Questions of the Day.
''What, in your opinion, will be the
vital quest ons Of the near future?''
''The struggle Of the people against
monopolies will be the greatest Of all
questions, was the earnest reply,
j ''tben the currency question. Person
ally am blmetallist. 5"
do you favor the suffrage for