The San Francisco call., 1896-08-16
How Derelict Public
officials Were
Taught
TO RESPECT DEMHNDS
OF THE PEOPLE
The Council Disbanded the Fire
Department, and the lndig-
nant Citizens Reconstructed
1t StraightWay

If there is a city which more than
any other in this mighty State of
California seems assured of a certain
steady prosperity it is Salinas. By its
very situation it is admirably fitted
geographically to be the county seat OF
Monterey. 1t is but few years since
Salinas was q babe among towns-it has
steadily grown into healthy youth, and
is about to attain its majority and enter
into the full bloom of manhood. It's mu-
niclpal health and stability and broad
promise have not been attained without
several struggles worthy of page in the
annals of civil government. Its last and
greatest fight for its liberties has been in
full accord with its peaceful, rural sur
roundings; it has been fight for all that
is near and dear to every patriotic citi-
zen-"The Home"
Like all incorporated towns the citizens
elected their City Council, "from the peo-
pie, 10 serve the people, for the people,"
but a factional fight arose within this
Council of Fathers. It's inception is hard
to trace, but the City Council (whether
through pique or false notions of economy
is i'm material SO far as results are con-
cerned) disbanded the Fire Department
without providing any other means what
ever Of protection against the possible
ravages of fire. This action, SO unex-
pected and so menacing to the public
safety, took the citizens by surprise. For
some days this was the great topic of dis
cussioI, on every street corner and at
every place of congregation. A public
meeting was called and resolutions passed
praying the City Council to take steps
to project the property and lives of it's
cltizens." 1t was fair demand made in
constitutional manner, by the best men
and women of the city, but for three long
weeks his request was ignored and then
two fiies, claimed to be of incendiary
origin Ghe frebugs are now in Jail await
ing trid), awoke the citizens to the neces-
sity ofan immediate reconstruction of the
Fire Department., and, if necessary, the
impeachment of certain members of the
City Council.
Witbthat swift action which ever char
acteriz,s the aroused temper of Americans
ar Indignation mass-meeting was held, at
tended by over 1900 taxpayers, and for
three hours the Salinas Pavilion echoed
with tie rise and fall of the voices demand
ing Instant action for the public veal and
safety This meeting unanimously rein
statedthe old Fire Department, gave back
its coitrol to the esteemed Chief, "Tom''
Joy. q young man whom the citizens es-
TEEN for his proved ability in fighting
flames and directing his charges. This
meeting even went further and appointed
a committee of four of its leading citizens
to tke immediate steps. if found neces-
sary,to impeach the derelict members of
the City Council.
Suih then is the brief sketch of a fight
for potection which was fought openly
and Yon honorably in Salinas, the valley
city. When one comes to consider that for
three weeks by foolish action of the
coun.il hundreds of thousands of dollars
wortl of property was jeopardized,
thouands of lives in danger and a whole
towDliable to have its policies cancelled
or rewritten at much higher rates-one
recognizes how miserable tits to see public
oticeused to satisfy private spleen, and
how ommendable was the action of these
Salinls citizens in effecting the reform in
suchl peaceable manner. This action in
gravepublic situation has won the hearty
appreciation of the insurance companies
especially and thousands of Californians
moregenerally.
It ] to these citizens that Claus Spreck-
els las decided to give the largest sugar
beet actory in the world. 1t is from these
peope that this industry is to obtain its
latesi and greatest impetus. 1t is from
such public-spirited and loyal actions that
the resent and future welfare of Cali
fornil is to be maintained and strength
enedl
Defliction of duty in public officials
needsimmediate reproof, and this lesson
in Municipal correction given by the citi-
zens II Salinas to its City Council is worthy
of emulation by all those who wish pure
government, which defined means the
mr. fiat O0od for tho oyraa4oct pupo