The morning call., 1895-01-09
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.

Mayor Sutro begins his term of Office
with message which will crafty lovers
OF progress. 1t is stirring document, just
what might have been expected from the
Ajax of Satro Heights.
He recommends more searching inves-
tgation into bribery cases by the grand
juries. and points out with force that the
brlber is at least as guilty as the taker of
brides. He repeats the usual arguments
ia favor of separate elections on the ground
that voters at municipal elections are led
astray by national questions which have
no bearing on honest local administration.
He thinks that patriotism should be taught
In the public schools, aud that the pupils
should be trained to understand that true
citizenship consists in patriotism, self-sac-
ritice and nobility of character, and not in
the accumulation Of large fortunes, often
obtained by fraud, bribery and general
dishonesty. He insists on technical train
ing at the schools, in order to enable the
pupils to earn living when they grow up.
He hopes that the freeholders will be able
10 draw a sensible, progressive charter for
the city, transferring the power of local
appointment from the Governor to the
Mayor, and creating Board of Works,
to consist of practical engineers, to
superiDtend modern improvements. He
holds that the city ought 10 own its own
water works, and should establish a system
of its own, in opposition to that of the
Spring Valley Water Company. In lire
with the soundest municipal authorities
abroad he recommends the possession of
as and electric lights by the city. On the
subject Of street pavements and sewers be
repeats the views which have so often been
expressed by progressive citizens, the &C
complishment of which has been deferred
by the protest of parsimonious sIurians.
He dwells upon the advantage to be de-
rived from drinking-fOuntains and plan
tations of beautiful suade trees. He insists
upon more liberal provision for the public
library, which institution has been starved
TO support the henchmen of political
bosses. He advocates a naval training
ship for the education of boys, and pro.
pOses-somewhat vaguely-that the city
shall provide work for the unemployed in
winter. Finally. he denounces grasping
corporations as the cause of the failure of
democratic government in cities. and calls
upon the Supervisors to curb the usurpa-
tons of corporate bodies, in order to an
tlcipate an uprising of the people.
Gen orally speaking, thu public are with
Mr.. Sutro. His recommendations are gen.
orally sound and might be adopted to
advantage. There cannot be two opinions
on the question of the city's ownership of
water works, gas works and electric
works; and no one will deny that the
creation of Board of Works consisting of
practical experts, to superssde the Street
Commission and other commissions which
now exercise authority over public works,
would be gain. Some of these reforms
will be provided for by the new charter.
Others will require legislation at Sacra-
mento as well as in the Board of Super
visOrs. That legislation must he well con-
sidered before it is put in shape, and il
must be framed in calm, deliberate
spirit. and not Inspired by feeling or pas
sion. When changes are made, the public
wants them made SO they will stay.
Mr.. Sutro has rare opportunity of use
fulness. Office came to him unsolicited.
No party chose him as its candidate. He
was elected in defiance of the two regular
parties and all the sdeshows. He was
chosen by the people because, in spite of
the reputation ne bad won for flightiness.
through bis impetuosty, they trusted in
his honesty and his clear head. 1t now
for him to vindlcate their choice. The
Mayor of great city has vast RESPONSE
blities on his shoulders, and he must bear
them with calm, cool, deliberate circum-
spectIon. BE must measure his words.