The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-13

that has been aroused among the better
element of the people of san Francisco by
the exposure of the high-handed and
shameless manner in which the members
of the majority of the board have leagued
themselves with monopoly and the corpo-
rations, and utterly betrayed the trust re-
posed in them"
"The long line of outrages committed by
the Solid Eight during the brief time in
which they have held Office has been
crowned by this proposed sale of a valu-
able franchise under conditions which bar
out all competitors of the Market-street
Railway Company, not only securing the
franchise to that company, but making it
unnecessary for it to bid more than the
minimum sum required by law" said
George T. Gaden yesterday.
Here is a strong, conspicuous instance
that leaves no shadow of doubt of the I'M
lawful betrayal of trust by the majority of
the board. If the people shut their eyes to
it and allow it to go UNPUBLISHED then in
deed do they deserve to be robbed of their
best heritage.
But l am convinced that they will not
do so. and that action will be brought
against them that will result in their i'm
parchment. Otherwise monopoly in every
form will be fastened upon the people be-
fore the term of Office of these men ex-
pires. For everything that savors of
monopoly, the increase of prices, the re-
striction of the peoples privileges, seem
to have an irresistible fascination for
them"
Speaking of the long line of outrages, it
may be as well to call 10 mind the more
jagged instances. Here they are:
First-The famous bituminous rock
order, creating monopoly of that
great industry in favor of the Santa
Cruz mines, and giving to the Southern
Pacific Company complete monopoly
of the business of carrying the rock to
the City.
SecOnd-The attempt to pass this order
over the Mayors veto, which failed only
because. the solid four (soIid in the in
terests of the peOpIe) stood firm, and
nine votes were necessary.
Third-The passage of this order in the
form of a resolution so to avoid the
necessity of the Mayors signature.
The resolution is practically identical
with the order vetoed. In this clearly I'M
lawful subterfuge Superintendent of
Streets Ashworth was used as a tool, being
induced to present the resolution as a
recommendation of his own in behalf of
better paving.
FOurth-The granting of the fran
chise over certain portions of Church
street to the Market-strect Company
after the previous franchise had Iapsed
and without due process as required by
law.
The full details of this outrage are told in
another column, as it forms the basis of a
civil suit against the Market-street Com
pany which will be begun in court to-day.
Fifth-The letting of the contract
for paving Van Ness Avenue (IlaIf the
cost of which is to be paid by the CITY,
at figure far above what the work
could be done for, and which muIcts
the City for thousands of dollars,
Sixth-And, finally, the proposed
gift of the Ocean House road and
Sunnyside avenue franchise to the Mar
ket-street Company.
These are only few of the acts distin-
gushing the legislative career of the Solid
Eight Of the Board of Supervisors, which
began with January last and will continue
if not checked by the people until Janu-
airy, 1897.
The names composing this devoted band