The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-23
Their Places Filled by Men
Who Are incompetent
or Worse.
THE MAYORS VETO DEFEATED.
The San Joaquin Road Petitions for
Right of Way Into the
City.

Supervisors was swung yesterday. and
seven official heads fell in the basket. The
movement was swift and effective, and the
meeting of the municipal fathers adjourned
amidst confusion. There was a good deal
of excitement, some serious accusations OF
the corrupt use of power thrown out and
an exchange of caustic insinuations be-
tween the rival factions after the members
had vacated the chamber.
The question of removals came up on
motion of Supervisor King, seconded by
Supervisor Wagner, and provided for the
dismissal, after May 1, of certain NUM-
cipal employees and the appointment OF
their successors.
1t was known that a nefarious combina-
ton had been made and that some re-
movals were in contemplation, but it was
scarcely believed that the hardy politicians
of the solid eight would go to the extent of
displacing first-class officials for the pur-
pose of giving positions to men who were
incompetent, or worse.
The first change provided for in the reso-
-1ution was that John S. Enos, the capable
rand vigilant Prosecuting Attorney of Po-
f1ice Court No. should be deposed, and
that Charles a. Forbes should be APP
kpointed his successor. Mr.. Enos was at
one time Labor Commissioner, and
made so excellent a reputation that
all who have held office since
that time have been compared to him,
those interested wishing that his equal
might again appear in that Office. In
every public trust held by Mr.. Enos he
has discharged his duties faithfully, yet in
defiance Of the civil service spirit of the
age, and the ethics of decent politics, Mr..
Enos was turned down to make way for
favorite of the solid eight.
E. H. Wakeman, who has served the
city and county well as prosecuting attor-
ney in Police Court 3, had to give way to
one Edmund P. Mogan, who boards at
Supervisor Kings hotel.
No cause for complaint was found
against J. H. Roberts, prosecuting attor-
ney of Police Court 4, yet without a pre-
text or cause Mr.. Roberts was dismissed.
William II. Madden was appointed to the
position.
These were the three most important
changes made BY the solid eight in their
blind effort to bring disgrace upon the
public service of the city. Other changes
were made as follows: NJ. NJ. Dugan, head
janitor new City Hall, successor George L.
Murdoch; a. J. Sadler, janitor Auditors
and Treasurer's offices, successor Joseph
Fitzpatrick; J. a. Sullivan, night watch
man new City Hall, successor Herman
kim; J. NJ. Dolan, driver police patrol
wagon, successor P. Stevens.
II should like to know the reason for
these removals." said Supervisor Hobbs,
pale with indignation, "as no charge for
incompetency or otherwise has been
brought against these mployes. As chair
man Of the Building Committee / think l
should be consulted as to the removal of
my clerk. 1t is evidently a combination
OF the three Democrats with five Republi-
cans against helpless minority"
81 call the gentleman's attention to
the fact said Supervisor Dimond, THAT
l am Democrat and propose to vote
against the resolution"
The gentleman from the First" cried
Hobbs, shaking his finger at King sis
Democrat, though he was elected on the
Republican ticket"
The solid eight evidently did not intend
to treat their colleagues in a decent or
proper manner, and SO rushed their scheme
to a conclusion.
The cry of question" was raised by
Wagner, with others in the chorus, and
the vote was taken with the following re-
suit:
bunker, Morgenstern, Wagner
Noes-Dimond Taylor, Spreckels, Hobbs.
Supervisor Scully excused himself from
voting, though he has always stood with
the solid eight.
AS the roll was being called and as the
personnel of the detestable ''solid eight"
was disclosed some one started ripple of
derisive handcapping, and it spread
throughout the meeting chamber, the peo-
pie in the lobby scoffiDg audibly at such
action by such pothouse politicians and
ward statesmen.
The San Francisco and San Joaquin Val
ley Railway Company, by Claus Spreckels,
president. and Alexander Mackie, secre-
tary, sent the following communication
asking for right of way through the city
as outlined:
Beginning on the northeast side of Fourth
street, opposite the junction of Fourth and Hi
nois, thence across Fourth, along Illinois to
the southwest side of First avenue south, for
meTly known as Honduras street, street
south, formerly known as st. John, from the
southwest side of First avenue TO the north
line of Twelfth avenue south; thence in q gen.
eral southerly direction across Twelfth avenue
south, Thirteenth avenue south, Parnassus
avenue, Latonia street and Thornton avenue to
Railroad avenue opposite the center line of
TWenty-frst avenue south; thence along Rail-
road avenue to the north line of Twenty-sixth
avenue south; thence in general southerly
direction under Thirty-siXth avenue SOUTH
Thirty seventh avenue south, Thirty-eighth
avenue south, InELy-QlQI0 avenue south, j
street to the east line of ] street; thence along
Evatt street to the county line, with the rights
10 lay, keep and maintain q single double
tracks of standard width thereon, and to ope-
rate thereon railroad propelled by steam,
electricity or other motive power for the trans
portation of freight and passengers for the
term OF fifty years from date.
This communication was referred to the
Committee on Streets.
The reasons of the Mayor for vetoing
the Church-street franchise were given in
the following communication:
GentIemen-On February ID, 1895, the Mar
ket-street Railway Company filed its applica-
ton for astreet-railway franchise along Church
street commencing at Sixteenth street, at its
intersection with Church street, thence run
ming along Church street TO Ridley street, and
along Ridley street to Fillmore street.
The petition was accompanied by draft of
the proposed franchise.
On March %, 1895, your honorable board
considered such petition, and, In accordance
with the Legislative act OF March %, 1893, re-
solved to offer the privilege sought for therein
for sale at public auction. j,
Thereupon notice was published in the San
Francisco Daily Report, setting Monday, 30
Pm, April Is, 1895, for the reception OF bids
in open session of your honorable board.
At the date and place last named the petition
was finally considered by the board, and order
285S was passed. therein accepting the bid OF
the applicant and granting the franchise to 1t