The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-17

large batch oil small demands winch
could go directly 10 the Auditor without
the Mayors signature.
Information is obtained at the Office of
the Auditor and Treasurer that sucn de-
mands will be held out until legal advice
on the question is obtained.
The Superintendent of Streets is not
going to get himself in trouble by author
izing street work in accordance with the
recommendation OF the Street COMMITTEES
OF the deposed hoard.
Auditor Broderick was seen at Hotel
Santa Maria del Mar. near Santa Cruz,
this evening and informed that the old
Board of Supervisors and the new will
each return a tax levy. He was asked
which he would recognize. He said that
would be very difficult question to
answer, but he talked freely upon the sab
lect OF the change, saying:
"a charge made by single citizen
against an entire Board of Supervisors, or
in other words against the legislative
branch of government to be submitted
10 one OF twelve Judges, the judgment of
one man. Immediately put in operation
and the entire legislative machinery, cre-
ated by the votes of ma jority OF the
people of the city and county. being
wiped off the face of the earth and new
legislative body brought into existence is
an exem plitication of one man power
that seems altogether antagonistic 10 re-
publican governmental forms. 1t should
be looked upon as serious matter, not to
be tolerated except by the cearest evil
dences of being fully sanctioned by law.
.Lut us suppose that the Judge was but
human and liable 10 failings of nature,
and that his Judgment and decision were
wrong, and that the Judgment of the APP
pointing power was warped by lack of
experience and stability, and that design
ing men to crafty am billions or vanities
should receive appointments, what Sc
CURLY have the people as TO their rightsP
Suppose the Judge and Mayor should
be hypnotized by evil influences, what
would be the result of the removal and
substitution of the legislative department
OF government? Concert of action on the
part of the judicial arm with that of the
executive arm of government might at
any time bring about an intimidation of
the legislative arm that would jeopardize
its independence.
at is reported that the new board has
authorized the Mayor to appoint com nit
lees. He is not member of the board,
and this tends to show the subserviency
or helplessness of the legislative arm that
to me looks ominous. If the board at this
early stage tenders their powers to the
Mayor, what may they not do in other
ca ses OF serious import?
''lf this be true l think it would be much
tn reaph tha 0De-nan O1 hoss.pomar
Dy slower stages, and at least allow the
people to become aware of its probability
and ask them TO express their opinion on
the subject.
THE appointment by either the Gov
ernor or Mayor matters not to me. 1t is
very serious act, and [ am more than
surprised at the expedition shown in the
selection, if made as stated in the press.
The people usually take months of time
in the selection and cho ce of Supervisors,
and often make mistakes. Perhaps prog
ress-that so many now attribute new
ideas 10 -guarantees that a legislative
body can be safely and judicious'y re-
M owed and new one created in few
days.
81 have serious doubts myself as to the
result until men are created so that selec-
ton can be- made with certainly as to
quality. Tie board that Judge Wallace
has decreed against were nominated and
their antecedents and characters can
va ,sed and criticized thoroughly for long
period. What assurance have We that
the appointees OF the Governor or Mayor
will prove any different from the old
board?
Il do not care to enter into the subject
as to what | shall do as Auditor, as be-
tween the boards, but l have no delicacy
in saying that, officially 1 know tina: the
mem bers of the board elected last Novem-
Der obtained their titles to office Iegiti-
matelv, and that and all citizens had an
opportunity of expressing our choice as
10 representation in the Legislative branch
of our government. | feel that, unless
the new board shows unquestioned legal
authority to act, that l will be obliged to
LOOK seriously and carefully into the mat
my official cooperation.
II confess that the question is too COM
plex 10 permit me TO jump at conclusions,
and is one that concerns the rights and
welfare of the public so seriously that
great caution and deliberation should be
exercised in my action.
81 will return to San francisco sooner
than | intended when ! came here, and
will be better able to answer The CALL S
question later"
WILL RESIGN HIS POSITION,