The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-19
EARNING A SALARY.

There is one phase of the Railroad Com
mission matter that there is some danger
of overlooking. 1t is not so important as
that which means the virtual determine
ton of the question as to whether the
prosperity of the State shall be secured by
wise adjustment of rail transportation
charges, but it comes equally as close to
the matter of personal honesty. That is,
have the members of the Railroad Com
mission earned their salaries since they
assumed office?
They receive $4,000 each a year, which is
the salary paid to Superior Judges. We
know that the office of Superior Judge re-
quires all the time of the incumbent and
that he gives it all his time. To imagine
Superior Judge a farmer, physician or
what not, and giving his private business
first consideration, bestowing casual day
now and then upon his judicial duties, is
to imagine the most ridiculous of absurd
tiles.
The duties of Railroad Commissioner
are no less exacting than those OF Su-
perior Judge. If he attends properly to
them he will have no time for carrying on
any other business that requires con-
siderable part of his time and thought.
The office requires a mastery of innumer-
able details, besides an understanding of
some of the broadcast principles that affect
the welfare of a people. Men elected to
the position should be of high order of
intelligence and integrity, and they cannot
honestly accept and hold the office if they
do not comply with all its requirements.
The giving of their entire time to the office
is one of them.
The Democratic State Convention clearly
understood these matters, and therefore
pledged itself and its candidates that they
would give all their time to the Office and
that they would not permit any private
business to interfere. The Democratic
members of the board have made no pre-
tense of keeping shat pledge or of acknowl-
edging the wisdom OF the plain business
proposition which it proclaims.
Worse than that, in spite of the fact that
the Commissioners have numerous assist
ants, one member has complained that
they have not time to compile the figures
needed for an understanding of their
duties and has declared that another as
sistant is needed. 1t would be difficult to
imagine anything more absurd than this.
Having already failed to do their duty in
giving all their time to the Office, the Com
missioners shamelessly declare that more
assistance is required, when they already
have at least three subordinates.
This neglect of the plainest duty is per-
petuating the grievous burdens under
which the Industries of the State are stag
gering; is taking the money out of the
pockets of men who are striving earnestly
and as good and useful citizens to secure
their prosperity and that of the State; is
strengthening the power of great mo-
nopoly in all the injurious and shameful
ways of its exercise; is preventing the
influx of settlers and capital and prohibit
ing the progress of the State, and is put
ting us under the stigma of being unable
to elect to Office men with proper con-
ception of business, with personal pride
and independence, or with loyal regard for
the welfare of the people.