The San Francisco call., 1895-11-05
MADISON BABCOCK

matter was settled, this action OF the Board
of Supervisors came as a surprise.
But the manner of it was quite as far out
of the ordinary as the act was unexpected.
The surprise was sprung by Supervisor
Joseph King of the First Ward, and he
made it the occasion of his maiden speech,
Mayor Sutro was so surprised at the
speech and the proposition comb bined, that
he read the law and offered it as an excuse
for ruling directly contrary to its letter
and spirit. Then when he came to, n
measure, he corrected the ruling which
would have stopped Mr.. King in the mid
die of his speech, leaving the whole matter
in the air, seeing which the Mayor, while
ruling that the whole matter was out of
order, made special exception on behalf
of the speech, telling Mr. King he could
finish it. And when he had finished it the
Mayor, having ruled that it was all out of
order, again reversed himself by calling
for vote upon the resolution.
There was every excuse for the Mayors
confusion, however. Here is the resolu-
ton:
WHEREAS, A vacancy in the Office of Superin-
tendent OF the common schools OF the City and
County of San Francisco has occurred, caused
by the death of A j. Mouider; and whereas,
the Board of Supervisors of said City and
County alone has the power and authority to
fill such vacancy; now therefore be it
Resolved That the Board of Supervisors now
proceed TO elect Superintendent OF Common
Schools of the City and County of San Fran
cisco TO fill the vacancy caused by the death OF
A. ]. Moulder, the sppointee TO hold for the
unexpired term.
Mr.. King rose to speak to his motion
that the resolution be adopted.
"Mr. Chairman" he said, "I hold that
this Board of Supervisors has the only
right to elect the successor to Mr.. Moulder,
which / bow to as being one of the greatest
educators which this land has ever seen.
The Board of Education has nothing to do
with this matter, and l arise to say few
words in behalf of my friend, Charles Sum
ner Young, who is one of the greatest edu-
Gators which is known to every person in
the land. He was nominated in the same
convention with me and was on the same
ticket with me, which l am proud of. Now,
want to quote little quotation in speak
ing for my friend Mr.. Young, who went
out in a campaign and polled 24,000 votes
against man who was one of the greatest
educators in this land and in this State
Mr.. Moulder, which bow to, for went tc
school to him. Nobody could beat him
Why nobody at all would so out and fight
him. He was loved In life and he is loved
in death. The people want Mr.. Young fol
his successor. He polled 24,OOO votes
against Mr.. Moulder. who was compelled
to oppose in the election, being Republi
can. What did Mr.. Budd doP"
Mr.. Dimond rose up at this juncture
with his pompadour one point nearer the
horizontal than usual. He rose to point
of order, he said. This City is governed
by the consolidation act; the consolida
ton act provides that the Board of Super
sors shall, in the event of vacancy occur
ring in certain offices, elect successors, ex
cept where otherwise provided. In the
case of the Superintendent of Public
Schools, it is otherwise provided that hs
shall be elected by the Board of Educa
ton. So Mr.. King was clearly out of or
der, said Dimond. He called for ruling
on the point of order.
The Mayor giavely and sonorously reao
the law-section IA of the consolidation
act-referring to school affairs:
Section Ia. In case of q vacancy in the Office
of superintendent, the Board of Education
may appoint person 10 fill the vacancy unit
the regular election then next following, wheI
the osfce shall be filed by election of the
people.
"The point of order is not well taken
Mr.. King is clearly in order" said the
Mayor.
Astonishing as this ruling was, Mr..