The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-30
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

The general movement toward better
order of things which has begun in all
parts of California is certain to affect
municipalities as well as corporations and
individuals. There are certain enterprises
and undertakings in the way of improve
ment that can be carried out only by city
or county governments. These improve
ments in many cases have been long
needed, and it is evident that public senti-
ment is now prepared to support the local
government in undertaking them wherever
the local officials are at all trustworthy.
The trend of opinion in this direction is
particularly noticeable in San Francisco.
The strong expression in favor of munich
pal improvement and development made
by President Craig at the mass-meeting of
the Half-million Club was in full accord
with the sentiment which prevails among
progressive men, and the applause with
which his remarks were greeted en-
phatically manifested public opinion on
the subject. We are, therefore, face to face
with the desired improvements as an issue
of practical politics, and it is time for our
people to consider them in that light.
The first essential to success in public
affairs is to have the right men in charge
of them, and in that respect San Francisco
at this time is particularly fortunate
Some of the members of the Board of
Supervisors are undoubtedly subject to Just
criticism, but on the other hand there are
members who have the full confidence of
the public and have well merited it by their
ability, integrity and zeal in the service of
the community.
1t is not too much to say that with men
like A. B. Spreckels, c. L. Taylor, J. K. G.
Hobbs, Joseph 1. Dimond and others on
the Board of Supervisors, San Francisco
can safely look forward to an era of mu-
nicipal improvement, provided their efforts
lind reasonable support from the COM
munity at large. They are in the fullest
sense representative of the best elements
of the City. They represent its property,
its capital, its trade, its culture, it's energy
and its enterprise. They are taxpayers,
and feel every burden laid upon the peo-
pie. They are business men, and under
stand the importance of economy in all
branches of work. They are sagacious,
progressive men who know what the COM
munity needs; and to them and their sup
porters on the board, therefore, the tax
payers and the people generally can look
for a careful guardianship of every interest
of the municipality.
We are not unaware of the existence of
reports concerning the organization of a
pool or ring among the Supervisors ex-
elusive of these gentlemen. Ifthere is any
such ring it will have to be welded of tri-
pie brass and steel to withstand the
pressure OF popular indignation as soon as
it is made known. The people are in no
humor just now to tolerate in municipal
legislation anything suggestive of fraud,
extravaganza, jobbery or boss control.
Any Supervisor who may be inclined to
such thing had best reflect little.
Every member of the board will have to
measure up on each issue as it arises with
the men we have named and be judged by
their standard. If any Supervisor, there
fore, has any doubt how to act or to vote
on any particular question he would do
well to hear the arguments and watch the
vote of these men, in the hope that some
valuable information may be gained and
the reasons for their votes understood and
adopted as basis OF action. San Fran
cisco needs good administration at this
time, and it behooves every Supervisor to
remember the fact