The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-13
BAssETT's BIG BOMB.
Although Choked OFF He Fires 1t at
the Council.


the Council.
After tolerating each other for a few
months the City Council is now in the
throes of internecine war. The rupture
has been caused by the tax levy and by the
desire of some members of the Finance
Committee to hold secret sessions.
Councilman Bassett published a two
column speech tonight that he was pre-
vented from delivering at last nights
meeting of the Council, and he makes
some statements that are somewhat sensa-
tional. Among other things he says:
Manuel and Towle, both of whom it is ru-
mored are candidates for Mayor, hold absolute
control over a majority OF the Council. To
use an old phrase, when these gentlemen take
snuff the majority sneezes Both are political
trimmers and it is significant that Just before
the Council was called upon as q board OF
made by the Assessor, both of these gentlemen
went bear hunting and did not return until
the board had completed its work. Dow is a
gentleman OF small mental caliber and large
self-conceit. He is good Towlc-Manuel
sneeZer. He was a member of the Council
which voted his uncle large fee from the peo-
Pies pockets, one OF the attorneys in the
Waterfront suit. Naturally he feels i'll at ease
under adverse criticism Of the work OF that
Council.
The objective point of Towle and Manuel
seems to have been from the outset to make
Mayor Davies administration as unpopular as
possible. Whatever he advocated they and
their majority opposed; what he opposes they
advocate. This is ''non-par-te-Zan" politics IN
Oakland. Having been elected on the same
ticket with the Mayor, and being associated in
business with him, it naturally follows that
this "non-par-tezan"m majority has about the
same affection for me that hound puppy has
for soft soap.
do not believe in executive sessions. This
Council has no need for conference at which
the people cannot be present. I am sure no
member of this body will say or do that of
which he is ashamed, or OF which he is not
willing that the whole city shall know.
Messrs. Manuel and Towle declare that
they are aetuated by the best of motives,
and declare that Bassett's personal state
ments aresunfounded in fact. A tax levy
OF 81 Is will be recommended to the Coun-
Gil and will probably be accepted, but it is
certain that the Mayor will veto the Ordi
nance, as such a rate will provide general
fund Of about 100000 for no specific pur-
pose. In this event eight votes will be
necessary to carry the measure over the
Mayor'e veto, and as Bassett, Brosnahan
and Hoffman are openly opposed to it,
should Watkinson go with them as usual,
the veto will be sustained.
The Mayor said he would not permit the
accumulation of a large general fund.
Experience in the past has been that the
general fund is grab-bag for whoever can
secure influence enough to open it in their
respective wards" said he "Let the
Council specify the improvements pro-
posed and then the public will have some
confidence that there is no secret game
being worked. The secret session is an
outrage, when considering the tax levy.
1t is not surprising that it creates sus-
DiciOn."