The San Francisco call., 1896-05-11

allow dollar of public money TO be ex-
pended for the Almshouse until the right
OF the City to govern the institution is
recognized. Yes, 1t is right to appeal to
the courts. Judicial notice may be taken
of the repeal of the law giving State aid to
the aged and inoigent.
The court may follow the line of recent
decisions tending 10 the recognition of
civil service principles. The right OF local
government, which the constitution recog-
nizes so distinctly, may in this case re-
ceive from the courts the Interpretation
which the trainers of the constitution in
tended that it should have. When it is
plain TO the people that scheme has been
concocted to violate the spirit of the law
by tricks and cunning devices the courts
should be appealed TO for the protection of
taxpayers. If the law be interpreted to
mean that the Board of Health appointed
by the Governor can remove from office
without cause capable uperintendent,
who derives compensation from the
City for experimenting an institution
wholly sustained by the taxpayers of the
City, then the first act of the incoming
Legislature should be the repeal of the law.
Supervisor c. L. Taylor. Acting Mayor,
was seen at his residence last evening. He
is very earnest in his views that Governor
Budd is directly responsible for the de-
plorable controversy concerning the man
agement of the Almshouse.
Mr.. Taylor said: "The law places the
management of the hospital and Aims
house in the Board Of Health, but requires
the Board of Supervisors to pay the bills.
l. L.
porting the institutions. Formerly State
aid to the extent of $4,000 was received,
but the Legislature at its last session re-
pealed the law under which the State
granted such support.
mo, L cannot see that the Board of Su-
pervisors could refuse to audit the bills,
even if the Board of Health should con-
tinue to put in places persons notoriously
unfit and wholly incompetent for service.
Should there be contention in the courts
rs TO whether Weaver or Reddy was su-
perintendent the Finance Committee would
not allow the salary of either while the
litigation was pending.
st may be necessary to repeal the law
conferring upon the Board of Health the
right to appoint the superintendents and
subordinates of the hospital and Aims
house. The Governor would probably
veto any law which would deprive his
creatures of places, but trust the Repub-
licans will have majority in the LegisIa-
ture sufficient to pass such measure over
the veto of the executive.
Governor Budd is responsible for this
debasement of the public SERVICE" con-
tinued Mr.. Taylor. she has told the
members of the Board of Health that they
must appoint this man and that man. !
am informed by q man who knows all
about Reddy, that he (Reddy) lacks the
experience and executive ability necessary
to govern the Almshouse. The man that
the Governor had appointed head cook al
| the Almshouse was dismissed from the
| police force for cause. Afterward he kept
a saloon on Valencia street that could moi
| be tolerated.
II read the testimony in the case against
| Weaver and it is not OF character to Jus
tify one in voting for his removal. Besides
the superintendent had no opportunity tc
submit testimony in his own. behalf
There was not under the law Just cause
for his removal and hope the courts viii
protect the taxpayers from debasing poll
tics, even if the Governor does give coun
| tenance to such debasement. speak witt
a knowledge of facts, and had the Boarc
of Health asked me for the names of no
| toriously unfit subordinates 1 could ha v,
4 given names and the record ,,