The San Francisco call., 1896-04-05
DISCUSSED THE CHARTER
American Socialists Speak For
and Against Its Adop.
tion.
Eloquent and Able Addresses by
Messrs. Clement, Scott, Rey-
noldS and Others.

There was large attendance at last
nights meeting of the Society of American
Socialists in Kohler & Chase Hall, on
O'Farrell street, and the merits and de-
merits of the proposed new City charter
were thoroughly discussed.
Morrison 1. Swift opened the meeting
with few words of welcome and an inyi.
tation to non-socialists present 20 Join the
ranks of the society. The central thought
now, he said, was not that monopolies and
trusts should be broken up, but that they
should be taken in hand by the people
and managed by the peoples representa-
tives for the public benefit.
This political work would not preclude
members from joining other parties and
voting on the old lines. provided that the
candidates voted for promised to work for
the good ends held in view by the Social
list party.
"1f you are foolish enough to remain in
the old parties after you join with the
Socialists" he remarked, in conclusion,
''you may do SO; but l believe you will
soon tire of trying to make professional
politicians walk straight, and when tha,
time comes we may hope to see the dawn
ing light of a new Governmenu-ownership
party which will renew the face of the
Republic"
Referring to the discussion of the even
ing, Mr.. Swift said the new charter doubt
less had its good and bad points, and
called upon II. N. Clement for a word in
its favor.
Mr.. Clement commenced by stating that
he was one OF the trainers of the new char
ter, and was conscious that it was not
perfection. Still he considered it prefer
oh >lo 10 fho
the City is at present governed. 1t should
be remembered that however good the
consolidation act might be, the new char
ter might be better, and however faulty
the new charter might be it was possible
that the consolidation act might be far
worse.
sThls consolidation act" pursued Mr..
Clement twas framed in 1856 by an old
lawyer, Horace Hawes by name, and
would have been good enough for large
village. But it was only q makeshift for
charter, and had no sooner been adopted
than it was found to be radically defective.
Then commenced reign of trickery
and schemers, seeing that special legisla-
ton was, so to speak, kept on tap at the
State capital, combined to carry on jobs os
all sorts until the scramble for power,
favor and Doodle rendered the California
State Legislature scandal to the country
uC COuSOllQdIlOn 1CJ dS 1Ih ny 1dWSS
covered thirty-one pages. If it were to be
published in the same volume with the
special enactm ents which have grown out
of it 1160 pages at the least calculation
would be required"
Mr.. Clement then proceeded to outline
t he features of the new charter which in
his conception would remedy the evils
mentioned. With laborious and palms.
taking care he instituted vigoro us COM
parison between the two documents, and
arrived at the conclusion that the new
charter would be better power to rule
the City than the Board of Supervisors,
which he characterized as "a corrupt and
venal body, notorious for its constant
gras ping after power"
J. E. Scott took exception to Mr.. Gle
m ent's view. He said what the CITY
wanted was charter for the people and
not for the classes. He made an eloquent
appeal for the laborers and the poor, who,
in his opinion, would not be benefited by
the new charter.
John M. Reynolds was also opposed to
the charter, and denied that the consolida-
ton act was at the bottom Of existing