The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-26
HAS HE THE POWER TO ACT :?
Ready to DenOunce Evil Wherever 1t
May Exist.
THE COUNTY HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT.
Mayor Sutro Proposes to Examine ALI
Bills for Supplies Police
Department.

The declaration of Mayor Sutro's views
regarding corruption in this city, as pub
lished in THE CALL yesterday, was the
topic of general conversation in the civic
departments during the day. The manly
and courageous stand taken by the Mayor
with reference to the dishonest use of
power in certain departments of the city
government and his hearty expression of
approval for every attempt to uproot it
assured the public that the chief executive
of San Francisco was the right man in the
right place. Furthermore, his declaration
that this city ought to assert its preroga-
tive and investigate its own affairs met
with almost universal approval.
ST am glad that THE CALL has taken up
this matter" said the Mayor yesterday.
1.-THE power of the press in stamping out
corruption in municipalities cannot be de-
MED. I will do all can to assist the news
papers, and with the help of the men who
conduct our leading journals great good
can be accomplished"
The Mayor Endorsed the interview with
him as published in THE CALL yesterday
as being a substantial expression of his
views, but he desired to make an explana-
ton with reference to certain expressions
contained therein.
"When l spoke of the Police Depart
ment as being corrupt" he remarked, 81
did not mean to be understood as saying
that l personally knew it to be corrupt.
The impression I intended to convey was
that there were many rumors to that effect.
From what 1 have heard, however, am
convinced that searching Investigation of
the department and its affairs would result
in startling developments"
Mayor Sutro stated further that, while
he had appointed man to investigate
certain matters at the County Hospital, it
was to look into the matters of supplies
the bills for which come to him for his
signature.
81 intend to scrutinize closely all bills
for supplies furnished to the various insti-
tutions," continued the Mayor, land as
there have been complaints with reference
to the County Hospital in this respect,
have begun with that institution. My in
quiries, however, do not extend to the
length of investigating the other affairs of
the hospital, because as / have said, my
powers in that direction have not yet been
clearly defined. Mind you, 1 will reiterate
my statement that the hospital has been
wretchedly managed, but I am not pre-
pared to say of my personal knowledge
that the management was corrupt. If /
find such to be the case l will denounce it
as would denounce anything that l be-
ieve to be wrong and harmful to the in
terests of the community"
Speaking in general way of the present
crusade against corruption in the city,
Mayor Sutro said that he was DESTROYS of
seeing the probe of inquiry driven in every
direction.
at is only question of power, so far as
/ am concerned" remarked he. aft my
attorneys give me the assurance that
have the authority as Mayor to investigate
all the departments of the city govern
ment you may rely upon it that l will
waste no time in appointing suitable COM
mittees to do the work.
81 believe as THE CALL does that we are
big enough as a community to manage our
own affairs and that the Legislature should
let us alone.
ga legislative committee would prob
ably be composed largely of men who have
no personal knowledge of our affairs. And
| then there is danger that preiudiced men
might be selected, who would not do the
matter justice. Let US remedy our own
evils. If have power to take the initia-
| tory steps they will be assuredly takenp
The Mayor spoke of the absolute need
here of a new charter which would secure
to the people of San Francisco self-govern-
ment. He considered the present system
of appointing Police Commissioners, Fire
| Commissioners and the like to be all
wrong.
"Why should the Governor have the
right to select men to fill offices the ex-
pense of which is borne by the people of
San Francisco2" he asked. cat present
it seems that the Governor can appoint
any one he pleases as Police Commits
sioner for San Francisco, despite the pro-
tests of the community. | think the Free
holders are doing excellent work and that
thus far every step taken in the prepare
ton of the proposed new charter meets
with the approval of the general public"
In speaking of the funding bill, which
comes up in Congress next Tuesday,
Mayor Sutro expressed the conviction that
it will surely become law.
"What are the people of San Francisco
doing?" he asked, earnestly. "What are
they thinking about when they allow this
thing to be done with scarcely protest?
tell you the passage of this bill will be
the greatest calamity that ever befell Cali
fornia. / have requested Ex-Governor
Pattison of Pennsylvania to fight against
it, and he has promised to do so. have
sent numerous kilograms to representa-
tives in Congress, asking them to do all in
their power to throttle the bill. But 1 am
afraid it is hopeless. If this bill becomes
law, as it no doubt will by the aid of G. P.
Huntington's gold, the Southern Pacific
| will be absolute master of California for
the next fifty years. 1t will also prevent
! the construction of the Nicaragua canal,
which we so much need"
PERFECT keeping properties belong to
! DR. Prina,s Rakinr Powder henansa it,s