The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-11
THE LIARS CALLED DOWN.

|
The policy of the CALLS present proprie.
tor is not only to do all that he can as q
| journalist to assist in building up this
| splendid State, but to assist all other Jour
nalists, to the full extent of his power, in
that worthy aim. In doing this we have
made radical departure from the estab-
lished ''ethics'' of journalism in San Fran
cisco, in that we have given praise and
other assistance to our contemporaries, by
name, for acts intended to benefit the
State. At the same time, we have an
nounced that we are just as ready to assail
them when they defect from the standard
of right.
1t has fallen to the lot of the San Fran
cisco Post to be the first of our local con-
temporaries to learn that the CALL can be
| as vigorous in chastisement as in praise.
In its issue of yesterday the Post contained
an editorial entitled 1.-THE New Bosses, y
in which, after saying that the local polltl-
cal bosses had been disposed of in the last
election, and after referring to the recent
ordinance concerning bituminous rock, Ii
says: 1.-THE ordinance does not suit
two esteemed contemporaries, for the
reason, it is said, that they are interested
in the prescribed bituminous mines. Both
are therefore engaged in rendering a
chorus, the purport of which is that the
Grand Jury should Immediately indict all
Doodle Supervisors"
1t is not our present business to an
nounce what local papers besides the CALL
have opposed the infamous bituminous
rock ordinance which Mayor Sutro has
n ba;a 70 10
CALL denounced it, and that it intimated a
course which the Grand Jury might take
to the credit of the City and the discom-
future OF those who may be in league to
rob the City.
If the editor of the Post, or any other
human being, says that the proprietor OF
the CALL is directly or indirectly interested
in any bituminous mine in the State of
California or elsewhere, or that his oppo-
sition to this ordinance is inspired by any
selfish motive, he utters a deliberate and
barefaced lie; and what is more. we charge
that all who make such statements know in
their hearts that they are liars. We
hope that they will note the fact that
we have publicly branded them as such.
If this is not sufficiently direct, or if it is
desired that it should be given that per-
sonal turn which shall permit of no hiding
behind the ample petticoats of newspaper,
and which shall force the utterer of the
charge to stand solely upon the ground
which every courageous man should be
glad to occupy, we should be pleased to be
informed, in order that there may be moth
ing lacking in our attitude.
There are two or three things" adds
the Post, 'of which these journalistic
bosses ought to be reminded. One is that
Supervisors cannot be indicted for their
votes" True, true; but they can and
ought to be indicted for any corruption
which may lie behind their votes. THE
law provides" says the Post, that
when man becomes a Supervisor he is
guaranteed liberty of conscience so long as
he exercises his rights honestly" Which
means TO say that a mans conscience is
not violated so long as he himself does not
violate it.
Enough of this. The CALL does not think
that it has lowered the standard of its dig
nifty in thus showing that the Post has
placed itself in alignment with an ordi-
nance that bore every evidence of a corrupt
inspiration on its face, nor in showing that
after the ordinance has been irretrievablY
defeated the Post displays an eagerness to
prevent Grand Jury inquiring into the
rottenness that may lie behind it. If the
Post desires to show that it has an editor
who regards himself as amenable to the
rules of conduct which govern gentlemen,
whether they be engaged in journalism or
any other occupation, he may decide upon
the course which he may think has been
left for him to pursue. As for his attitude
before the public in defense OF public mat
ter that seems to have had corrupt in
spiration. he has published it to the whole
community.