The San Francisco call., 1896-10-13

competition with free labor. Who will
have the use of the convicts? The corpo-
rations will have them. Mr.. Barry closed
with a quotation from James Russell
Lowell and advice to ''vote against this
infamous instrument" Mr.. Barry spoke
in behalf of the American Women's Lib
eral League.
W. Macarthur spoke on behalf of the
San Francisco Labor Council. Before he
began his speech he offered resolutions
for adoption which had a long pream BILE.
The resolutions and preamble were as
follows:
WHEREAS, Freeholders were elected by the
citizens of San Francisco in Novemo oer, 1894,
for the purpose OF drafting a new charter
which should remedy existing defects in the
| City government; and whereas, the freehold
ers have failed to carry out this purpose and
on the contrary have submitted a charter
which not only does not remedy existing de-
feets in the laws of the City, but aggravates
them by the addition OF other evils; and
whereas, the following are among the most
object ble features OF the proposed charter:
First-The great power vested in the Mayor
practically amounting to the disfranchise-
ment of the citizens.
Second-Prov sions preve nting municipal
ownership of streetcars, water, gas and elec-
trio plants
Third-Perpetuation OF the contract system
on public works.
Fourth-Regulation or prohibition Of public
assent blage.
Fifth-Prison labor, chain gang and Pinker-
tonism.
Sixth-Provisions making amendments
practically possible.
Seventh-Proyisions barring citizens from
their constitutional right to pursue their
avocations in any employment In the State;
and
WHEREAS, The campaign now being made
in favor OF the proposed charter is based upon
false theory of responsibility on the part OF
the Mayor and the admission that several OF
its most Objectionable features are unconst IT,
tutional and will therefore be stricken out by
the Supreme Court accompanied by the reser-
vation that, with all its faults, the proposed
charter is no worse than the present consoli-
datlon act and should, therefore, be adopted
for the mere sake of a change, now therefore
be it
Resolved That We the citizens of San Fran
cisco, in mass-meeting assembled, do express
our unqualified disapproval OF the proposed
| charter, and pledge ourselves to work and
vote against 1t at the coming election; and be
1t further
Resolved, That we will work for charter
which shall be new in fact as well as in name,
charter which shall permit of the govern
ment OF our city upon progressive lines and
which shall operate to the extension OF popu-
lar government and the progress and prosper
ity OF the commonwealth.
Mr.. Macarthur spoke strongly against
the new charter ampiifying the points
contained in the preamble and resolu-
tions offered by him. He said that he
wished that the resolutions might be put
to vote at the close of the meeting.
J. VI. Reynolds spoke for the Municipal
Reform League. He said that he would
not dwell on the new charter much. There
were present representatives of the Liquor
dealers Association, which has appointed
a small committee to do its thinking and
which will be sod out. There are here
! representatives. of the A. 2. A. who have
already been sold out. They have ap.
pointed small committee to do their
| thinking and they will be sold out again.
| What has this to do with the new charterl
| Mercy that the corporations will get with
| the com mittees and the Liquor-dealers'
Association ana the A. z. AS and the
wheelmen will all be found working for
the corporations. Do not let this happen.
Mr.. Reynolds offered for consideration
draft of new charter proposed by him.
self, which he called bill of rights.
The resolutions proposed by Mr.. Nc
Arthur were adopted and the meeting
was then adjourned.