The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-25

leader to shout as did Phil Sheridan at the
head of his columns at Winchester, Forward,
the whole line"
''To every man his work" is the divine call to
personal duty of every true citizen. Decency
has some emphatic rights which must be re-
spected by Wlckedness. Taxes are paid by de-
cency. The moral and Christian sentiment of
this city, If thoroughly organized and concen-
trated, can do anything: 1t can send its probe
to the center of corruption and fraud and pro-
vide the remedy. Such reform demands the
cooperation and sympathy OF every just man
and of every right and clean conscience. And
II our legislators are reereant to their trust
and refuse TO give the proper legislation to
accomplish this work, let the moral and legal
forces of the city be marshaled for the battle of
investigation and reform, and the ink-roller of
the printing-press, as mighty battering-ram
against the citadel of political iniquity and
municipal corruption, will render , most eli:
misrule and fraud in our city government must
give way.
Let it be remembered that out great cities
are pivotal and distributing centers which
the industrial and commercial prosperity of
the country depends, for the pulses of our
financial life beat more strongly. there. 1t is
evident that the large cities greatly direct the
political and social life OF the whole nation. If
| in these great centers misgovernment, corrup-
| ton, venality hold sway, the nation feels it in
the depression OF its political tone. And it is
rosy prophesy for the future that the moral
forces have been changing affairs in New York
and elsewhere, when the complete rout Of the
cohorts OF corruption marks victory for good
government which is one OF the most signal of
our national history.
Honest and patriotic men breathe more
freely because of the defeat of Tammany. The
victory won then for righteousness gives cour-
age to every other city. 1t was victory won
for US. 1t declares personal responsibility, and
proves that with heroiSm and conservation it
is not an impossible task to cure our municipal
malady, although our opponents are crafty and
resolute. We have been too long deploring the
disgraces in the administration of the affairs
OF the city and county. The time has come for
determined action. Reputable citizens must
uncover incumbent rascality.
Under the manipulation of demagogues our
civilization is in great danger. The ammuni-
tien that must be used and which viii be most
effective in the battle for good government and
municipal reform is the uncovering of the
frauds and wickedness, the publication of all
the facts that show bribery, abuse OF the fran
chise, police corruption and all else in refer
ence to the misgovernment OF the city. The
| secret of success appears in the victory in New
York City. There was sufficient proof that cor
ruption honeycombed the entire city govern
ment. Blackmau in a gigantic system de-
| manded money of all classes of men; that
criminals could cheat justice by their gold,
that businessmen were compelled to pay vast
sums OF money to yoracious extortiOnists in
order to save their legitimate business from be-
ing crushed by Illegal assessments. There was
a stupendous system of robbery and corruption
that had been holding high carnival and con-
trolling the refns of government for years. 1t
was thoroughly uncovered. That was all.
The criminal negligence of the officers of the
law was shown to the public, as they were COM
PEELED to see what the city government was.
The Lexow committee established the fact that
the government of the city was in close part
nership with thieves, purveyors of vice,
gamblers and the lowest elements OF society.
Such moral revolution can be wrought in
San Francisco. 1t is only necessary that the
covered villainies be unearthed, that the screens
be torn down and the methods of city and
county officials dragged into the clear ight of
day. 1t is not necessary to attempt any COM
parison OF San Francisco and New York City.
Suffice il to affirm that there is sufficient proof
already at hand, that there would be very
likely something like revolution take place
in San Francisco if the operations of every de-
partment OF our government, city and county,
were as completely and mercilessly exposed as
in that metropolitan city on the Atlantic
coast. This is precisely what should be
done.
Every citizen has right to know the details
in the management of the city, on what con-
ditions contracts are let, who umpires the work
and receives the money The people have q
perfect right to know if any officers of the law
are getting rich by corrupt intrigues with
boodlers, criminals, gamblers or prostitutes.
The people have perfect right to know
whether those who hold positions in the mum
cipal government have been honestly or
fraudulently elected, and whether the money
demanded of them as citizens is properly
applied to public purposes and improvements,
or is directed into the pockets of the tax
gatherers.
When the public spirit is awakened fully and
municipal patriotism aroused San Francisco
win have clean and efficient government.
disagreement and rascality will then come to
an end.
No man in sound reason would ever expect a
pure administration at the City Hall or in the
courts, while the franchise is violated and can
didates can, without incisive reproof and PEN
atty, buy their office with gold. That man who
directly brides voter will not hesitate 10 steal
after he gets possession of the Office ii he thinks
he can do SO without being detected. The