The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-26

Chairman Henderson made a statement
that has caused considerable surprise
among City Hall politicians. He said:
am member of the executive committee
OF the Municipal League, and do not think I
am giving away our secrets by stating some
thlng IN regard TO our Councilman; by ours, I
mean the seven Non-P artisans. The question
has been asked, what the Council will do if Pc
htioned on the matter of Sunday-closing.
am in position to tell something about this
A few weeks ago the executive committee of
the league sent Tor the seven Councilmen who
owed their election TO us. We had discussion
which lasted over two hours and we reminded
them very plainly OF the platform on which
they were elected. We called particular atten-
ton to the plank that declares the saloon bust
ness to be IAN intolerable evil" and we de-
manded OF them that they keep their pledge
Five OF the seven said they would be willing
TO agree with the spirit of any petition signed
by a majority of voters. Two members were a
little weak kneed and would not give any
definite answer. We argued with them, and
they finally told US that if we could obtain to a
petition the majority OF the names on the
Great Register they would do as the others.
rms being So we have the matter in our own
hands and should go ahead and obtain the
necessary signatures, and l have enough con-
hdence in Mayor Davie to believe he would
Willingly approve any such measure.
A gentleman here has undertaken to sneak
for the Populists, and has assured US that If
such petition be obtained. Councilman Bas-
sett will regard 1t as the referendum to which
he is now pledged and will also vote for it,
Several Seventh day Adventists were
present, among them being M. c. Wilcox,
editor of the Adventist paper Signs of the
Times. He stated that the Adventists
would compromise with nothing short of
absolute prohibition, and declared that
Sunday closing was an interference with
the rights of citizens. He said:
If it is right to run business one day in the
week 1t is right to run it seven, so far as man is
concerned; but when mans religious belief
is concerned it is different proposition. | do
not care ii every voter in the United States
should vote for Sunday closing, it would be
the same. 1t is no less than an unwarranted
interference with his God-given liberty of con-
science. For absolute prohibition we are with
you Dody and soul-no compromise.
DR.. e. s. Chapman was the next speaker.
"Mr Chairman" he said, ~ demand of
you as a member of the committee of the
Municipal League that you demand of our
Councilman that they obey our wishes.
You are responsible for them: you pledged
them to us, and on your promises we
elected them. Now l demand the fulfill
ment of those promises or woe be unto
them when they again ask our suffrages."
Several other speeches were made; some
in favor of Sunday closing, others in favor
of prohibition. Several Adventists spoke.
and their arguments, along with those of
the Prohibitionists, carried the day, for
when vote was taken 1T was decided to be
the wish of the council for the suppre ssion
OF the saloon that a prohibition campaign
should be undertaken.