The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-28
HOME RULE,

We must havs home rule. Every reform
in municipal politics must be IN that direc-
ton. The new San Francisco must be a
self-governed city. With home rule, all
reforms are possible; without it, none can
be permanent. 1t is the need OF the time
it is the demand of the people, 1t is the
logical conclusion of existing conditions;
and every effort now being made for the
betterment of politics or the development
of the city, must have home rule for its OBJ
iect or end in futility and failure.
The right of the people of San Francisco
to manage their own affairs is founded
upon the natural rights of men. To pre-
vent it, is to violate every American prin-
ciple of government. 1t is an outrage that
the Police Commission, the Harbor Com
mission, the Board of Health and other Off
GERS of the city are appointed by the Gov
ernor of the State. Their duties are here,
and their responsibility should be here.
The present system is violation OF the
cardinal principle of local self-government.
1t is like George III appointing governors
of American colonies, and is an offense to
the fundamental truth that all governing
powers should be created by the people
whom they govern.
Nor is that all. The present system OF
appointment by the Governor not only
violates American principles, but it results
in weakness and inefficiency. The force OF
public opinion in the city is not behind
officials appointed at Sacramento, and
a consequent lack of vigor is seen every
where. If the Police Department is in
efficient, if the Fire Department is polit-
zeal machine, if the Board of Health is
inadequate to its duties the cause OF this
weakness is simply that the people of San
Francisco are not permitted to govern
themselves, and that the people of the
whole State have taken upon their hands
the task of managing affairs of which they
are ignorant and performing work that
they know nothing about.
1t is high time to change this. The
talent, the wealth and the manhood OF the
metropolis must govern the metropolis.
We have full confidence that Mayor Sutro
and the present Board of Supervisors are
willing and able to conduct the affairs of
the city on a business basis, and, unless
we are convinced TO the contrary, THE
CALL will sustain them in every effort they
make for municipal improvement. The
Grand Jury also will be aided and encour-
aged in the performance of its duties; for
while we believe that the Grand Jury sys-
TEN is relic OF the dark ages and should
be abolished, yet, as the system exists,
and as The CALL is ready TO believe that
the present body is fairly representative of
the best interests of the city, we are willing,
as every citizen should be, to give it every
help and support in the exercise of its con-
stitutional powers to punish crime
wherever found.
The vital issue of the time, in short, is
to back up all our local authorities and
prove through them that San Francisco is
true American city in its capacity for
self-government. The problems that con-
front Us are many. The obstacles are
great. The only way to solve the problems
and to overcome the obstacles, is to take
our destiny in our own hands. The watch
word is home rule.