The San Francisco call., 1896-10-21

Reddy at this stage by asking whether the
charter did not assume to pue out OF Office
the Board of Education to be elected by
the people on November 3 and to take
Office on January /. 1897.
Mr.. Reddy replied that the charter un-
dertook to do that impossible thing, was
in conflict with the existing laws and
was therefore null and void. He pro-
ceeded to show that the instrument was
unconstitutional and therefore inopera-
tive.
If that law Is good for anything, out goes
teachers. If this charter should be
adopted it will go before the Legislature,
and if those obnoxious clauses are ratl-
fled by the Legislature they become the
law, and if they are not ratified they 90
not become the law. II ratified what be-
comes of the law retaining teachers in
their positions? he asked. He answered
his own question by explaining that the
new charter, if adopted by the Legisla-
ture, would repeal the present law.
Joseph O'Connor called attention to
proposed amendment to the constitution
providing that charters shall be subject 10
the general laws, Except in relation to
the municipalities for which they are
drawn"
Mr.. Reddy pointed out that the mem
bers OF the Fire Department. were to be re-
tanned and the school-teachers were to be
put out.
THAT'S because we have no vote, piped
a pretty schoolma'am in the front row.
After the laughter raised by this bon
mot had subsided Mr.. Reddy proceeded to
show how the charter regulated the
method of ge tting hack into the schools.
The mode provided is that all persons
who desire TO be appointed as teachers
shall undergo com petitive examination,
and shall hold teachers certificates, land
who have been educated in the public
school system of this State" He spoke OF
the considerable number of teachers who
had won their laurels before the adoption
barred out by this provision. He COM
men1ed at some length on the absurdity
of the Citizens Charter Association ask
ing class of intelligent people, such as
are the teachers, to vote Tor charter
which legisiates them out of public en-
ployment.
The speaker challenged any lawyer of
standing to say that this State could not
prescribe the qualifications OF those per-
sons eligible to teach in its schools. Hence
the charter if adopted by the Legislature
would be valid and binding. He made a
reference to the fact that this provision of
the charter had been suggested by ''people
of proscriptive state of mind, who would
wall this State in like old China, and if
lQeY SuDulu ouCCCCQ oOuOtlCoo WIG SdIAc
results will follow in due time"
The princi pie of Capitalization of power
enunciated in the charter was in conflict
with civil service reform. he said. The
contention to the contrary was sophistical
Even the President of the United States
could not appoint man to a prominent
official position without the advice of the
Senate, nor could the Governor of Califor-
MIA appoint any responsible official with.
out the approval of the Senate.
Henry N. Clement asked leave to re-
ply, but Mr.. Bapcock cut him short with
the promise that he would have an oppor-
tunity later.
"Glve him show" cried several teach
ers.
II challenge Mr.. Reddy to debate on
that question" shouted Mr. Clement.
AMI | accept the challenge" /" responded
Mr. Reddy quickly.
Then the meeting adjourned, and the
pretty schoolma' ans focked around the
ex-senator and congratulated him, for Mr..
Reddy is manly looking man and he was
fighting for their cause.