The San Francisco call., 1896-10-19
They CAN NEVER
Be RECONC|LED.
Contention Between Seekers
of Amusement and
Christians.
Every Element of Oakland So.
ciety Interested in the
Present Struggle.
CHINESE FAITH IN BRYAN.
A Recent Sensation That Was Ex.
plotted About Two Years
Too Late.
CHINESE FAITH IN BRYAN.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, |


eos Broadway, Oct. 18.
Oakland must now decide whether she
will be a metropolis or whether she will
rest contented to be an adjunct to the
larger city across the bay. The question
is one that has two very clear sides to it,
each supported by an influential element
of society, between whom reconciliation
is impossible. During the past week
affairs have been rapidly approaching a
crisis, and it will have to be fought to a
finish between the Ministerial Union, the
Supervisors, the Christian Endeavorers,
the Merchants Exchange, the Board OF
Trade and the racetrack people during
the coming month. There can be no
metropolis on this side of the bay so long
as the narrow-minded policy exists that
has characterized the municipal govern
ment and to certain extent the county
government during the past four years.
No one can ooubt the honesty and integ-
rity OF all parties and individuals con-
cerned in the present struggle, but every
one who possesses a moderate share OF
intelligence can see that the day of de-
cision has been reached and cannot longer
be avoided.
On the one hand are the Ministerial
Union, the Sabbath Observance Associa-
tion (headed by truly good man-Rev.
DR.. McLean), and the Christian Endeavor
unions, and on the other side are the
Merchants Exchange, the Board of Trade,
the Seventh-day Adven fists and members
oil the Hebraic faith, the street railroad
companies (who own parks and give free
concerts on Sunday and the Racing AS
ISOLATION. Several leading merchants and
merchants organizations have been stat
ing their side by resolutions and other
wise during the week and to-day several
ministers have handled the matter from
their pulpits. The ministers declare that
they do not want a return to the old blue
laws, but only an enforced moral observ-
ance of the Sabbath. The merchants as
sert that they are not in favor of pool.sell-
ing, but they want and must have all the
legitimate trade they can divert to this
city.
More, new side issue has been brought
forward and will, it is understood, be
formally launched tomorrow night. The
Christian Endeavorers, and they are GER
tainly the balance of power in the county
in any natter that goes before the elect
ors, are 10 discuss Whether the merchants
have not been rather hasty In indorSing
the racing association and whether 1t is
not the duty of Christians to patroniZe
those who do not favor horse racing. This
q
nearly every merchant belongs to one or
the other of the two mercantile associa-
tions, and to withdraw business from
them means simply that trade must be
carried to San Francisco.
good deal of quiet work is being done
among the candidates for the offices of
Supervisors, but experience has proved
that pledged Councilmen and Supervisors
are the readiest OF pledge-breakers. Pre-
vious to the last municipal campaign, the
Sunday closing Association (Which has
not been heard of for a Year, extracted
promises from a majority of the council
men that they would pass a Sunday-closing
ordinance. Being politicians, the prom
ises were readily made; being men of
business, the pressure of other business
men induced them to break their pledges
just as readily after election. There is not
the slightest reason to suppose that any
better brand of consistency exists among
the Oakland politicians than was exhibited
two years ago.
All these questions can only be decided
by the people. The Supervisors cannot do
it, neither can the merchants nor the MIN
listers. If Sunday balloon ascensions are
made illegal by ordinance, the people
who now patronize them will go to San
Francisco and spend their money. If
racing shall be prohibited the patrons of
the track will not spend their money
here. But in any event legislation is USE
less either as preventive or incentive. II
the people do not want Sunday concerts,
saloons and racetracks these ventures will
soon have to close UP for lack OF patron
age. If the people do want them nothing
will prevent them from satisfying their
tastes. The people of Alameda County
are not of the kind that can be made
moral by legislation, nor will any one eie-
ment submit tamely to the dictation OF
another element. As has been proved be-
fore. they realize their individual rights
and will be guided accordingly, mer-
chants, ministers and supervisorial
pledges, Notwithstanding.
1t is mistake to attempt to settle such
questions at an election, as they are purely
matters to be settled by the conscience.
the dictates of which each individual has
an inalienable right to accept and follow.
There Is q certain Chinese concern in
this city which has lately started in busi-
ness under circumstances that electors
who are following every kind of doctrine
would do well to consider. There is
boldness and a Bryanesque flavor about
the circulars which they are mailing to
every home that is little unusual. In
patronage they say that "only
neat Chinese clerks are employed" and
goods comes the information, Made in
our Chinese factory in San Francisco, by
Chinese labor only" Surely there is a
little political moral in this, that even the
head of local silver league can grasp.
A few days ago story was given wide
publicity regarding the alleged cause for
the insanity OF young man who was
once a railroad employee. 1t was multi
iterated that he was driven insane by the
actions of some railroad officials who pre-.
vented him from getting work. The rail
road company has enough to answer tor
to Damn it eternally, but truth is still the
truth. The facts are these. The poor
lad was partially insane two years ago,
and was desperately anxious to marry q
young lady who didn't want him. He had
some trouble in Judge Gifts courtroom,
and attempted to shoot Attorney Aldrich.
The case was passed by on account OF the
lad IS mental condition. .. w. d.
Vested Choir OF Young Ladies.