The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27
Civic Federation Reorgan.
gained to Do Battle
for Reforms.
Will Watch the New Admins.
tration From the Vantage
of Experience.
Tenure Of Office and Police Court
Reforms to Be Urged at
Sacramento.

The Civic Federation is reorganized for
| new campaign against new set Of con-
dltlons; or, rather, the cam paign will be
against old conditions as they may be
played upon by new set OF men-the
newly elected City and County admins
tration.
The organization has Topped off the dead
wood TO a considerable extent and left the
federation in much better lighting shape
than before, sey the members, especially
as the places of those dropped from the
roll have been taken by other and young
men, who are ready to join heartily in an
aggressive movement.
Members of the federation generally
place the highest confidence in Mayor
elect Phelan, declaring their belief that
he will stand for honesty and economy
and progress in municipal affairs. As for
the rest, they prefer to wait and see,
hoping, of course, for the best.
1.-The federation" said George T. Gaden
yesterday, sis older than it was 1t has
learned much in The past year or so and
is very mucn better prepared to meet
whatever OF crookedness it may discover
In the conduct OF the government.
1T has been shown that the Mayor can
do little with the Supervisors or the other
arms of the City government against him.
This last year the federation was lacking
in experience-did not know just how to
proceed or how to take the most advan-
tage of its opportunities. A certain
amount OF experience is necessary in these
Things and the federation has not forgot
ten its lessons. 1t is much stronger than
ever"
The federation will also appear at Sac
ramento during the session OF the Legis-
lature in an active endeavOr to i'm prove
upon the laws under which this great City
tries to operate. Mr.. Gaden declared that
several bulls would be prepared. but just
what they would be directed at had not
been declded upon. He said the matter
was discu. sed in executive session, but
nothing definite arrived at.
1t is understood, however. that bill to
be introduced will regulate the tenure oil
office of City officials, to correct lack of uni
tormlty now existing. While, under the
present laws, as recently decided by the
supreme Court, some officials hold for two
and some for four years, the terms all will
be fixed at two years.
A effort will be made to reorganize the
met nods or procedure in the ponce courts
so that there shall be some individual re-
sponsi Bile for the prosecution ana conduct
OF cases there. Under the bill to be pre-
sented the District Attorney will be that
one. He will have the appointment of
the several prosecuting attorneys in the
courts and will be held responsible for
their acts.
This reform is deemed of first impor-
lance, as it is in the police courts that m ost
of the criminal prosecution has its incep-
ton and where ease fixing" has become
too common TO make goou scandal. The
prosecuting attorneys are appointed by
the Board OF Supervisors and are RESPONSE
bic to no one.
Other reforms will be attem pied in the
Legislature that are made necessary by
the failure of the proposed charter at the
last election.