The record-union., 1895-01-17
THE REMOVAL OF GUNsT.


Governor Markham made a grievous
mistake in the appointment Of M. A.
Gunst to Police Commissionership for
San Francisco. The fact that it was a
mistake was made speedily manifest by
the expression of the people and press of
the city Immediately affected.
1t was conceded that Mr.. Gunst is a
correct business man; that he pays his
debts, keeps his word and maintains
good credit. But if the people of San
francisco are to be believed, his associa-
tions, intellectual attainments, and his
affiliation in one way and another with
the sporting element. render him dis
tasteful as pu ublic official having control
Of the agency that is maintained to con-
serve the peace, bring offenders to judg-
ment, and protect the lives, property and
sutfrages of the people of the metropolis.
1t is primary principle of good gov
brought as near as possible to the people.
Our whole scheme of municipal govern
ment ought to hinge upon home rule
principles. A community has the moral
and should have the legal right to govern
itself as to all domestic and police matters
to the last stretch, consistent with good
government in the commonwealth as a
whole. 1t was, therefore, sad mistak
on the part of the retiring Governor to
nominate to such an office a man who,
whether justly accused or not, is distaste-
full to the people in such degree as is
manifest in the case of Gunst.
We understand thoroughly how few
demagogues and cranks can work up an
apparent opposition and seeming Of in
dignation on the part of a community,
but in this case the public expression of
the unftness of Gunst went away be-
yond any doubt as to it's general enter
tainment by the taxpayers of San Fran
cisco; it was not only utilized by cranks,
but it was general among the people Of
the city.
If Governor Markham did not know
that Gunst would be repudiated by the
people, it simply proves that he did not
take due care to ascertain essential facts
about his appointee. Not that the ap-
pointing power should truckle to clamor
or seek out the popular, of necessity, in
filling positions of high trust. but it
should assuredly know enough about
those it proposes to appoint to admins
ter the domestic affairs Of community to
know whether the appointment would be
an unhappy one and render the nominee
valueless for good among the people
whose support he ought to have.
AS for the action of Governor Budd, it
is strictly in keeping with the declara-
ton made in his direct and crisp inaugu-
raj when he said, "a second amendment
greatly desired is one giving to local
communities more liberal self-govern-
ment in matters purely local"
And to which he added: LET US have
provision of the Constitution submitted
to the people which shall be sharp and
expressive and beyond all question, Civ
ing to cities the right of regulating their
purely local affairs,' etc.
Governor Budd has shown both cour-
age and good judgment in the matter. He
first took counsel of the law officer of the
State, became assured of his legal right
to remove Gunst, and then acted without
the slightest hesitation and named for the
place another citizen, who has in his
favor the expression of the people of his
home, who have several times elected
him to high local positions.
The whole matter is unfortunate and
humiliating. 1t has had the effect of stir
ring much bad blood, and it has given
some demagogues and howlers oppor-
tunity to come within view of the public
eye, who otherwise would command no
attention. But it is not without compen-
sation, since it proves that at the bottom
the people are for clean, decent and fairly
representative government, and repre-
sentative men in place as administrators
| of government.