The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-08
DALTON'S LETTER.
Sharp Comments by the
New Assessor.
He Calls the Board of Public Works
the Tammany of Oak
land.

Assessor Dalton scores the Board of Pub
lie Works in the following letter written
TO a. Oakland paper:
When the present charter was before the peo-
pie six years ago the Board OF Public Works
provision was said to be one OF tie best parts
of the charter. Even those who voted against
he charter thought that the Board OF Public
Works would be good thing for the city. Ii
was said that the Board Of Public Works would
take the Police, Fire and street departments
out of politics and would Kill on the political
bosses. 1t VAS said that the experience oil
other Giles was favorable 10 one man, the
Mayor, having great power IN his bands. Ii
was also claimed that other cities had found II
to their best intsre SITS TO put mo the hands OF
Board OF Public Works many OF the powers
which had led TO political confusion and cor
rupiion. The plan OF having the members OF
the Board OF Public Works hold office for fonr
years was said 10 be good, because 1t would
taEe these departments OF the city government
away from the machine. Six years OF expert
ence with our Board of Public Works has
proved that the plan is a dead failure
The Police, Street and Fire DEPARTMENTS. In
stead of bring taken out OF politics, have been
placed deeper Into politics than they ever were
before Instead Of the Street. Fire and Police
departments being In politics for the Denef OF
several individuals and the men In the depart
ments being contI oiled by number OF, differ
ent politicians. they are now being con rolled
by solid machine for The purpose OF doing the
business OF the gang" who, as The agents of
the Waterfront Company, Water Company and
Railroad Company, and all the other en- mics
of the city. look upon the city treasury as a
legitimate political spoil.
1t Is not necessary 10 bring forth any proof
or these facts. for everybody knows that they
are true. Tie following facts will prove that
the Board OF Works, the Street. Fire and Police
departments are in politics:
First-J. L. Carothers is president OF the
board.
Second-The Board OF Public Works removed
from the Office or Chief of Police j. w. Tomp-
klns. aiIhOuQn charges OF cOrruDtIQn IN.
competency were ever made against him. FL
was apparently removed because he would not
turn the Police Department into political ma
chine at The dictation of the gang"
Third-Mr. Kennedy was removed from the
Office of Chief Engineer Of the Fire Department
by the Board OF Public Works for no apparent
reason other than that he would not turn the
Fire Department into political machine for
the benefit OF the gang"
Fourth-1he Board OF Public Works ap-
pointed as Superintendent of Streets OF this city
L. g. Harrison, who has always been and sill
is member of The gang"
Fifth-N. A. Bail WIS put out OF the Fire De.
partment Tor no reason, apparently except that
he would not aid the gang" In It's political
work.
Sixh-Mies Doody, who has always been
faithful in his services to the gang" was made
First Assistant Engineer OF the Fire Depart
menG.
Seyenth-Two years ago at the city election
the lire and Street departments worked for
those men whom the gang" and the Board Of
Public Works desired 10 see elected.
Eighth-The last Republican prim aries were
run by the Police, Fire and Street department 9
in the interests Of those men whom the "gang"
wanted TO see nominated for the county Offices.
Nnth-At the last election be Fire, Street
and Police d DartmeDts voled and worked for
those men whom the gang" had nominated at
the Republican and Democratic county con-
venti0ns.
1euth-Many man, with the tears streaming
down his face has begged the Mayor Of this
city to get him wo'k upon the streets 10 keep
him and his family from starving TO death. Not
one of b Sc men has ever been given work,
and the apparent reason has been that no man
can ever get Job under the control of the
Board Of Public Orks unless he surreEders
himself 10 The gang" and does their political
bidding.
observation-disclosures the Board of Work
can be forced by the Council to take up any
street-opening matters IL calls 10 as its legal
adviser George L. de Cola and pays him out
OF The city treasury.
If any more proof is needed that the Board of
Public Works and the Police, Fire ana Street
departments are In politics it can be produced.
Enough has, however, been produced 10 show
that the Board OF Public Works is in politics,
and that the Police Street and Fire depart
ments are in politics deeper than they ever
were before. And they could not be deeper in
politics Than they are now. Nor could they be
In any more Objectionable kind or politics than
they are now. The Board OF Works never be-
slows any patronage or makes any appoint
ments OF any kind or descriptions for any pur-
pose except 10 build I'D tn power OF the
gang" The Board of Public Works is the
"Tammany" OF the city of Oakland. and has
m de most CALLING the political chains which
the gang" has thrown about the neck of the
city. HENRY z. DALTON.
Oakland. Jan. z, 1895.