The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-28
J.P. IRISH INDIGNANT.
He Cerrects the Investigating
Committee.
THE BLIND HOME AS IT N.
Pardee Gained Strength by the Late
Election.
OAKLAND'S PGSTOFFICE PLUKDERED.
AlFa Pablo, the Young IncorrigibIe, Is
Sent Home on PrObation-TradeS
Union Election.
OlKLANDS POSTOFFICE PLUNDERED.

/ Adult Blind IN Oakland, takes exceptions
to the views expressed by some of the legis-
lative investigating committee, who visited
that institution, and sends the following
| to the press IN reply:
To the Editor: The San Francisco papers print
accounts of the visit of Assembly committees
| to the Home for the Adult Blind
| The attacks on this institution originating in
| the objection of some OF the inmates to disci-
pline and in the desire of outsiders to exploit 1t
IN politics and get hold OF the offices, have been
long made and frequently Investigated, always
with the result OF vindicating the home, its
management and discipline.
No legislative committee, in a visit lasting
| but little more than hour can equip itself with
knowledge either to condemn or approve.
! 1t is reported that members of these commit
tees which visited the institution last Saturday
! found the "public sitting-room' in a repulsive
condition. The room referred to is not sit
| ting-room. 1t is the smokeroom, a large room
! properly seated and warmed, with floor of
artificial stone, arranged to drain into the
| sewer when flushed with q hose. The in
mates are forbidden to smoke in their
rooms Tor obvious reasons, since they may set
fire to the buildings and destroy themselves
and others. The disorderly element resent
this prohibition and violate it when they dare.
They make an cutlery about the smokeroom,
and 2 committee that does not seek further in
formation may be excused for echoing it. An
average OF eighty men smoke and chew tobacco
in that room. When they get through the
stone floor is covered with ashes, cigar and ciga-
rette ends, mixed with fruit peels and cores,
for the men carry fruit from the table and eat
it while smoking.
Arriving during the forenoon of Saturday the
committee saw the room in that condition, for
it had not yet been flushed. / am glad the
committee saw it before flushing, for they got
an idea OF the task OF caring for these people
If they will look over the situation and suggest
any other method as asubstitute for smoking in
the dormitories or around the buildings so as
to endanger them the directory will be glad to
receive it.
When committees visit the institution they
are met always by the discontinued, idle and
dissolute element, who object to restraint and
oppose all discipline. These men see the over
throw OF the regulations in a change in the
majority, who violate no rules and, therefore,
have no complaint against discipline, are not
in evidence. Indeed, they are usually in the
shops at work, contented and thankful that
! they can get the benefits of the home and the
training in self-support which it gives them.
One OF the swiftest witnesses against the in
stitution to the COMMITTEES was admitted few
months ago, vile in his bodily condition,
underfed and forlorn. He now thinks himself
competent to advise the Legislature and to
condemn the diet that has fattened him and
the sanitary conditions which have cleansed
him.
The sanitary condition OF the institution is
| to be judged by the sick roll For the diet the
committee and the public Can refer to the daily
bill of fare, which is filed in evidence.
1t should not be forgotten that this is q
| man ufacturing institution. Its inmates are
working people, gathered here from all sorts OF
sad conditions, representing many OF the civil
| lied and several of the unciviliZed races some
vicious and some virtuous, and 1t is not COM
parable to the college for the blind at Berkeley,
scholastic institution, filed with students
| and splendidly and lavishly equipped for its
purpose.
1t would be no more reasonable 30 compare
the Union Iron Works with the library Of the
State University.
l make these statements not only IN vindica-
ton of the truth, but in behalf of the majority
of the inmates, to whom the institution has
| been an Incompatible blessing.
IT, JOHN P IRISH,
President of the Board of Directors.
Pardee Stock Advancing.
The adoption of the charter amendments
Saturday by such decisive majority has
thrown the camp of "de gang" into con-
sternation, and even as late as last evening
they were still so surprised as to be rem
dered almost speechless. The members of
the Board of Public Works had nothing to
| say, and there was a dense gloom about
the board, noticeably the Police, Fire and
Street departments. On the Mayors side
of the building and in the Council chamber
there was handshaking and general re-
| joicing, and the School Department also
| breathed a sigh of relief, for it considers
itself much hampered in the past by
reason of the existence of the Board OF
Public Works.
| The smoke of battle has cleared away
sufficiently now to view the field in the
coming municipal campaign, and the cleo
ton of Saturday will probably make some
changes in the states that were being pre-
pared. For instance, since the election
Pardee stock has gone to the skies. From
| being very uncertain quantity the pres
ent Mayor is now spoken of on all sides as
his own successor. Many of the Munich
pal League members were opposed to him
before. principally on account of his stand
in the late railroad strike, and now nearly
all would give him help should he decide
to run. His candidacy, it is thought
would also affect the Republican slate,
| particularly the Barstow end of it. The
councilman has been mentioned as the
Republican candidate for the offiee--a sort
of compromise candidate, put forward to
conciliate all the elements. It is not Ger
tain that Barstow would run with Pardee
in the field. As it looks now Pardee will
be the Non-Partisan candidate for Mayor
backed by most of the present council on
the same ticket.
Tonight at Elite Hall the city Republi.
cans hold their convention to nominate.
| This is the first political convention for the
| spring election and is attracting consid
cradle attention.
For Mayor the names of Councilman j
w. Nelson and George w. Reed have been
most mentioned r. W. Snow has been
mentioned for Auditor and Zach Gilpin fol
the treasuryship. Grant l. Taggert and
ex-County Clerk Crane have also been
mentioned for the place held by Mr.. Snow
| For Councilmen from the various wards
there are many candidates. In the Fourth
Ward w. D. Heilman would like to sue
coed himself. His chief opponent is r. ]
Boyer.
In the Third Ward w. II. Quinn Sr. and
Mr.. McCracken are the names talked of.
Chilly" Naskinson, once railroad EN-
ploye, later striker and now just q
Councilman from the Sixth, is mentioned
as his own successor. Councilman Dow
from the Seventh seems to be the only
man mentioned from that ward.
The second ward is filled with candidates
J. s. Wilson, ]. A. Bliss, f. A. Noyes, P
M. Fisher and G. A. Taber have beer
named. The latter is said to have the
inside track
In the Fifth w. A. Jacobs, w. A. Ken
ney and B. F. Stone are named.
For Councilmen-at-La Large the names O
Councilmen Barnard, Towle, Rudolph
Christ, Robert Jackson and r. Y. Simpson
are spoken of. Simpsons chances arr
thought to be particularly bright if he
wants the Office
The Unitarian minister, c. W. Wendte
who was made one of the Republican dele
gates has declined tho honor He think,