New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-07
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
MUNICIPAL CORRUPTION-ROMAN OF
CRIME-DRAMATIC AND OTHER NEWS

CRIME-ORAMATIC AND OTHER NEWS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l
San Francisco, June 6.-The chief topic mere
this week has been the misrule of the city by Off
Gals who have demanded large Increases in esti-
mates for their departments during the coming
year The tax levy for the present fiscal year
was 50 25 on $780, and according to the figures
submitted by the heads Of city departments this
will be increased next year to So 30 on 500.
The Superintendent of Streets thinks he
cannot get along without an increase OF Sl'ob-
600 In appropriations. What has aroused the
wrath of property-owners is that despite the
heavy taxes there has been no improvement IN
the efficiency Of the local government. nor any
substantial results to show for the increased eX-
penditures. The streets are badly paved. the
sewers not in good order. the City Hall stu
continues to absorb large sums, and is not COM
pleted: in a word there is scarcely single de-
partment which Is not run az extravagantly ana
corruptly as Tammany the New-York Offices
before DR.. Parkhurst entered on his work or re
form Signs are not wanting of a great popular
uprising against this corrupt municipal govern
ment which will clean out the gang or political
bosses now in office and land the majority of
them in State prison.
Because two county assessors have had diff
Guilty in securing statements from banks Gov
ernor Budd has issued peremptory orders to the
Bank Commissioners to require every state bank
to make a statement Of its condition up to May =
This will be a hardship 10 the 25O banks that have
made prompt returns. 1t Is believed that the
Governors design Is to make the banks pay more
taxes but his authority TO demand additional
statements is questioned.
When the great railroad strike occurred two
years ago the Southern Pacific lost thousands of
dollars by the practical paralysis of Its lines for
n.Al - IL
ers. though they were warned that they would
be blacksted If they deserted the company In its
hour of trial. Many Of these men assisted in the
destruction OF railroad property and in violent as
saults on employees who remained faithful So
when the strike ended the company carried out It's
threat and for two years it has refused 70 give
employment to any striker. This week Manager
Fillmore granted amnesty to all strikers who were
not engaged in overt acts against the company.
This will be godsend TO many men who have
lived in precarious fashion for months. The
lesson Of the strike has been severe. for the men
who Joined Debs's movement had no personal
grievance. they were better paid and better
treated than employees of any Eastern railroad.
A romance of crime strange as any in fiction
came to an end this week when John T. Har-
mems, a professional tramp. sentenced to
three years in Folsom prison for stealing money
belonging TO Wells. Fargo & Co. Harmens Was
camping out on the banks of the Sacramento
River two years ago when he saw two train
robbers. Browning and Brady. bury 10000 which
they gained by holding up a Southern Pacific
train near by. He dug up the COIN transferred
and reburied most OF ii. and then began career
in San Francisco Of riotous living His idea OF
pleasure 10 pose as prince in dives ana
to drink champagne where he had formerly drank
beer. The detectives discovered him only after ne
had squandered two-thirds OF the stolen money.
Harmens is man of some education. but he IL a
confirmed tramp and Will doubtless return TO the
road when he has served out his sentence
The DAILY Company at the Baldwin Theatre
closed this week three weeks engagement that
has been more profitable than any theatrical sea-
since Henry Irving was here. Ada Rehan
the central attraction, and this week In
of her former characters. The best critics united
in declaring that she realized the ideal, and that
her rendering Of the role was of poetic charm.
The success of the DAILY engagement furnishes
convincing reply TO those who have argued that
good companies are not patronized by san Fran
cisco audiences. At the Columbia Theatre Fraw-
ley's stock company has done we'll with The TWO
Escutcheons.
Yosemite tourists will probably thank Governor
Budd for hs efforts to reduce the many over
charges in the famous valley. What he proposes
TO do is TO break up the combine between the
railroad and the stage lines so as 70 reduce the
fare Sl3 10 make the hotel give rates graded
according TO rooms. 10 furnish greater facilities
10 camping parties and 10 abolish tols on certain
roads He also has a visionary plan for utilizing
the falls 10 light E Captain. Sentinel Dome and
other peaks by electricity but there IS small pros
pect OF realizing this theatrical scheme
The little city Of Santa Cruz eighty miles from
San Francisco. is preparing for a repetition this
year Of the Water Carnival which proved 50
great success last season The river has been
damned and artificial lake constructed that
affords opportunity for picturesque spectaces
The carnival will open Bunker Hill day and
this Will be commemOra led by mimic reprefen-
tation of the battle. In the military parade Will
be marines from the Philadelphia. Oregon and
Monadnock. Another feature will be mimic
battle between the Monitor and Merrimac. Many
beautiful gondoas have been constructed, and
the Queen Of the Festival will have superb
throne by the water SIDE.