The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-19
Says the Directors Refuse to
Make an Investigation of
the Charges.
ANIMALS RELEASED FREE
Ex.Director Partridge, in Plain Terms
Gives His Reasons for Resigning
From the Board.

of fact, he has been after 1t since his sum
mary removal in July last, but for some
reason has never been able to get the direc-
tors to inquire into the merits of his cause.
On July last Mr.. Fleming was notified
bv Mr.. Osborn that his services were no
longer required as superintendent of the
AnimalJ' Home. In fact he was not
wanted in any capacity. Fleming did not
take kindly to this, but told the Pound
master that he would not vacate until so
ordered by the board of directors. -Four
DAYS later-July 19-Secretary Holbrook
notified Mr.. Fleming that the directors had
elected Mr. Wells IN his stead, and asked
him to please step down and out.
The ex-superintendent then preferred
charges against the Poundmaster, alleging,
among other things, that the business was
not honorably and honestly conducted,
and demanding an immediate lnvestlga-
ton. According to Fleming, this charge
was literally whitewashed by the investi-
eating committee.
This so disguised Director John Par
fridge that he Immediately rendered his
resignation as member Of the board,
though he still affiliates with the society.
When it became generally known that Mr..
Partridge had retired from the directorate
all sorts of rumors Immediately gained cir
culation. Through it all Mr.. Partridge re-
fused to talk, but yesterday he consented
to outline his position.
"At present | can say no more than
what appeared in my letter of resignation,
which up to this time has never gone any
further than the board of directors" he
said Yesterday. This letter, however, has
never been given to the public, though L
am now willing that 1t should be. The
letter is as follows:
San Francisco, October 10, 1895.
To the Hon, Board Of Directors Of the san Fran
cisco Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Ami
ndis-GENTLEMES: This is my resignation as
member OF the board OF directors OF the San
Frencisco Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty
TO Animals. regret exceedingly the necessity
for such action, as l have always had the in
tereSt OF the society very much at heart, as also
the sincere desire to see its objects advanced,
even at the expense OF great deal OF personal
inconvenience. In this regard have not been
alone and the work, though at times exceed
ingly annoying, has given no cause for regret:
Difference of opinion as 10 the fulhlIment OF
promises made to the members or the society
and the City of San Francisco force me TO
plainly state the necessity for my Withdrawing
from prominent position in the society.
Beginning with the month OF June, 1887,
when abuses were first unearthed in the man
agement of the public Pound, your honorable
board has persistently declared that 1t was the
duty of the powers conducting that institu-
ton 10 remove therefrom all cruel, obscene
and wasteful persons. This, believe, is still
the desire OF the society and must be carried
out without fear or favor. When just cause for
action arises prompt action alone can save the
society from reproach.
1t would be as well perhaps to recall to mind
the report OF your Committee on Pubic
February 10, 1890, and for that purpose
I now make that report in full part OF TINS
communication. l am not prepared to believe
that the City's present representatives would
act in any other manner than just one, were
they called upon to act, the fears OF Mr.. Secre-
tary Notwithstanding | consider II comes IN
very bad taste from Mr.. Holb-ook to say that
it is impossible to get decent men TO work at
the Pound. Experience justifes me in stating
that he is wrong. Some few days ago called at
the office of the society to read over the
minutes of the directors meeting of September
10 last l then asked Mr.. Secretary where
the committee APPOINTED, to consider consider
the Poundmaster had taken its data from, as
ii appeared 10 me there were some dlscrepan-
cies in their report Mr.. Holbrook in very
impatient and rather curt manner said that he
supposed Mr.. Fleming had been to me and
tried to make it appear that he (Mr. Holbrook)
had extracted portion OF the accounts or
bills under examination.
l fail to see how the information sought by
me could cause any one TO suspect such effort
on the part of Mr.. Fleming. Again referring
TO the report OF YOUR honorable committee,
which reads, "All the bills of 1893 and 1854
bear the stamp OF your auditing committee,
audited Luman Wadham.'"
No examination OF these bills having been
made except TO see that they were correctly
computed and entered on the books.
AS TO the statement of the secretary made at
the last meeting that the finance committee
had returned the bills sent to it for examina-
ton without comment will say that the sec
rotary neglected to notify the committee of the
passage of the resolution by the board direct
ing that committee to examine and pass upon
all the bills of the society, but simply sent the
committee a batch of bills without state
ment or memorandum CT any kind to show
whether they were all or only portion of the
bills, so that even to this day /, as one OF that
committee, have not examined the accounts in
question.
l believe it ought to be the duty of the secre-
tary to examine all purchases, know where
the property of the society is, and how taken
care OF, and to communicate in writing to the
officers OF the society all resolutions passed by
the board. At least to acquaint them with
what they are expected to do. II these and a
few more like resolutions were enforced it
would be impossible for matters to have gone
the way they have at the home.
The unceremonious disposal of Mr.. Fleming.
the watchdog OF the Animals Home, one who
did more than any one else to make the man
agement OF the pound the success it promised
TO be, cannot condone, unless justice is done.
If the pound law is to be considered
official and only honest simpletons or
ignorant citizens are to bear the burthen of
the tax, and if cruel treatment is to be per-
mitted within the gates of the home, having an
expensive lot and fine buildings with gfided
top, this cannot make the institution respect
able. AS in all things the time will come when
veneering will not hide the shoddy beneath.
/ can remember, gentlemen, when good
deal was being said about the politicians
covering up the misdeeds of their party fol-
lowers, and do not propose that any one shall
accuse me of even being suspected of placing
myself in a like attitude.
sin concluding / would, as a member of the
ociety, respectfully ask that justice be done
Mr.. Fleming and humbly suggest that proper
investigation be instituted and thorough ex-
animation be made at the Animals Home,
and as a basis for that investigation would
suggest that the following questions be
answered.
Firstly-Are the animals, while at the home,
treated in humane manner?
Secondly-Do all those persons connected
with the home conduct themselves in man
ner that reflects credit on the society?
Thirdly--Is the pound order No 1900 being
enforced in an impartial and just manner, and
is the City and the society getting all they are
entitled 10 under that ordinance?
FOurth-Have all the purchases for the home
during the past year been made at reasonable
rates? Also such other questions as the welfare
of the society may dictate TO those who desire
that the examination be thorough and for the
best interest of the Animals Home. Very re
spectfully, JOHN PARTRIDGE.
1.-TWO weeks ago." he continued, "when
Mr.. Fleming called meeting to consider
the charges made against Mr.. Osborn, the
directors absolutely refused to appoint an
investigating committee and at the present