The San Francisco call., 1895-08-03
CIVIC FEDERATION ACTS,
1t Protests Against Bringing
the Almshouse Into
Politics.
OBJECTS TO wEAvER's REMOVAL
Adopted Resolutions Asking the
Board of Health to Retain
the Incumbent.

The Civic Federation has taken in hand
the proposition to remove Superintend-
ent Weaver of the Almshouse, and will
make vigorous protest to the Board of
Health against such proceeding. The
leaders of the federation claim the removal
of Weaver is only contemplated that the
place may be given to politician.
The superintendency of the Almshouse,
the Civic Federationists maintain, has
been kept out of politics since it became
one of the City's institutions, and the pro-
posed move they say is only one intended
to place it among the perquisites OF party
victory. This they say is accentuated by
the fact that it is proposed to supplant
Mr.. Weaver by Edward Reddy, whom they
characterize as carpetbagger, for the
reason that he has until recently lived in
Mono County and has never voted in San
Francisco. The Federationists appear to
have nothing to say against the character
of Reddy, and only oppose him on the
ground that he is not eutitled to the place.
and that in the management of the insti-
tuition the civil service idea should OBJ
tain.
At the last meeting of the federation it
was decided that the protest it intended to
to be presented to the Board of Health at
its next meeting. Accordingly resolu-
tion was prepared and adopted, the text of
which was as follows:
WHEREAS, A strong pressure is being brought
to bear on the new Board of Health TO remove
Superintendent Weaver of the San Francisco
Almshouse in order to make place for poll
tician not citizen or resident of San Fran
CISCO and whereas, the Civic Federation, nom
partisan body organized for the purpose of pro-
noting and encouraging good government in
this City, believes that the removal of an eff
cient public officer from so important posi-
ton for no worthier motive than to make place
for favored politician would not only be
against the best interests of the public, but
would be an outrage against deeency, and an
exhibition of callous Indifference to the misfor
tunes of the poor who are obliged to seek
public shelter; therefore be it
Resolued, That the Civic Federation respect
fully submits to the Board OF Health the fol-
lowing statement:
The San Francisco Almshouse, under the
superintendency of Mr.. Weaver, is equaled
only by two other institutions of the kind in
the United States. 1t is the only department
of our City government enjoying such distinc-
ton. There have been no scandals in the man.
agement of this institution under Mr.. Weaver.
There have been no charges of waste or ex-
travagance The records show that the ex-
penses have been extremely moderate.
The present Board of Health has been hailed
as a reform body. Governor Budd has
nounced frequently that he would not inter
tere with the Board OF Health In the selection
of officers for the important positions in the
public service. This being the case, the board
can be under no constraint to remove an eff
cient and faithful officer from a position that
all good citizens agree should be of non
political character.
Edward Reddy, who asks for Mr. Weaver's
place, is q man with whom the members of the
federation are not personally acqualnted. as
he is not citizen of San Francisco. His name
is not on the Great Register of voters. We
have heard that he is a man of good character,
but Mr. Reddy has not been associated with
the charitable affairs of our City. We cannot
conceive that he has any right to the place to
which he aspires. We understand that he
GENES from Mono County, and that he b as not
for years had any other occupation than that
of politics.
The Almshouse is purely San Francisco
institution, supported by our taxpayers; it is
proper they should be represented in its man.
agement.
The Civic Federation believes that the Board
OF Health should apply civil service principles
to this case. The Office of Superin tendent of
the Almshouse should not be prize for con-
tending politicians. 1t bas not been SO here
tofore. Mr.. Keating, the predecessor of Mr..
Weaver, retained his place for twenty-seven
years. to the great benefit of the Almshouse.
Therefore, we respectfully protest against the
removal of Mr.. Weaver to make political
place for Mr.. Reddy.
I. J. Truman, President; James L. Case, See-
retary; E. McClish, George T. Gadin, j. Cum
ming Smith.