The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

The Mayor openly declares that his
colleagues are conspiring how to spend
every available and unavailable cent SO
that they can prove the fallacy OF his 81
tax limit. Mr.. Davie, of course, opposes
all expenditures that were not in the
estimates, ana sends his communications
anent them to the Council. That body
ridlcules them and passes them by with a
sneer. A few days ago Councilman
Manuel, who had been delegated to inquire
into some charges brought by the Mayor
against the Street Superintendent, pre-
sented report which was intended as an
affront to the Mayor, and which reflected
quite as much on the writer as on the OBJ
ject OF his wrath. Such work has now be-
come so common that the same crowd that
patronizes the police court now, troops
into the Council chamber in the same
spirit as they would feel toward circus.
The killing of two bright little girls a
few weeks ago is being forgotten, and the
electric-cars are still rushing through the
streets without guards and just as they
please. The ordinance requiring guards
is said to be imperative and the police and
the council throw the ball of responsibility
from one to the other with careless indif-
ference. Last week an ordinance was
passed, however, which is operative if en-
forced. 1t regulates the passing of cars
and their passing of street crossings. 1t
reads ''to take effect Immediately after its
passage" II was passed week ago and
the cars. II possible, are dashing across
streets more carelessly than ever. The
streetcar companies have notified the fete
com mittee that they Will get out and dec.
crate expensive cars to advertise the floral
fiesta.
The motive is a worthy one, but so long
the shadows of 20
seen among the display of gayety sensible
people Will consider that obedience to the
laws Is more commendabie than q taWdrv
display of fineIy. The floral cars will still
be juggernauls when they pass the homes
where they have caused eternal sorrow.
The events OF the past week have proved
without a doubt that the Republican
party OF Alameda County is in dire straits
for want of political Moses. The ma
terial to form party is here and the
major portion of it is willing to pledge
fealty to any able commander, but so far
he is not in sight. The reorganizers have
succeeded in disrupting the party and
claim to have taken with them a majority
of the party, but thi. is not borne out by
yesterdays primaries when only about 900
voted in the city of Oakland ont of an aver
age Republican vote Of about 5000.
This is not altogether a safeguard, as
Oaklauders never figure at primaries, but
yesterday it was expected that at least a
majority of Republicans wonld be on hand.
As matter of fact the new movement is
composed OF seven different factions in the
seven wards of the city, and each has Its
own special leader. DR.. Rabe leads the
First John A. Sands the Second, Fred Z.
W MhItney the Third. w. r. Thomas th4
Fourth. W. II. Friend the Fifth. A. L.
Davis the Sixth and George c. Pardee the
Seventh. Now head is required to unite
these elements into solid front, but it is
not easy TO say who will completely fill
the bill.
There are many things to be taken into
consideration. The natural man for the
task is ex- Mayor Pardee, but he seems far
more inclined TO be the power behind the
throne than the tigure-head. As a nom
partisan Mayor Pardee Mas a success, but
as Republican leader he would figure in
an entirely different role. To make sue
cess OF the reform branch requires man
OF marvellous courage and executive abil-
lty. He. must be political Reynard If he
Is to lead the party out OF the morass into
which they say it has descended. The old
line have everything TO command They
have experienced politicians, men of nerve
and force and strateeists and in addition
they have control of the party machinery.
and evince desire to retain it.
The problem will be partly solved at to-
morrow's convention. 1t is not known