The San Francisco call., 1897-09-20

knew the com mbination of the lock and the
ex-supervisor was irate.
He retired to the committee-roem,
wrapped blanket about him and sought
oblivion from his weight of responsible
ties and other things in troubled sleep.
Britt was left in sole possession, and he
was unceasing in his vigilance
To enliven the time Bob Cochrane tod
racy stories. and for an hour or two the
boardroom took on the aspect of pri-
mary election board meeting, with Britt
in the chair.
Rivers, Sheehan, Haskins and Morton
continued the farce OF holding the cham
bers. They held possession up to the
time of going to press, and believe that by
this means thew can prevent the new
board entering The chamb bers this morning
AMI fixing the levy. The new board is
not worrying bit, but promises to sur
prise the tramp Supervisors.
The late solid eight have been declaring
that no matter how their issue With the
courts resulted, several member of the
new board could be ousted on account of
non-residence in the wards which they
are named to represent. Ii such were the
case, sll the acts of the new board would
be illegaL
This is a hopeful way for the tramp
Supervisors TO look at thing. but the
Mayor and the Governor considered the
whole matter before they made their APP
pointments. They found that the County
government act, passed by the last Legis-
lature, wiped out wards in all cities and
counties
The supporters OF the new board,
and the mem bers OF the board
In consequence, feel certain that the new
act overrides the Consolidation act, and
that they will be sustained in their posi-
tions by the courts.
In an interview last nigh Auditor Brod-
erick said he had not made up his mind
as TO which levy he would accept, figuring
CT cour>e that the new board and the
tramp Supervisors would each present. one.
He said thai a mistake on his plrt
would cause no end of trouble, and ap-
pealed to the press, the bar and the public
generally to d o what they can TO helphim
out of bIs dilemma.
THE fact that l act upon the levy of
either board" he said. docs not make
that levy legal, and thereafter some citi-
zen might question in the courts the right
10 collect taxes under it. If the contest
ant be successful there could be no taxes
collected for the year, and the city would
be without revenue.
Failure to collect taxes one year may
be remedied the next If the assessment
was duly made. but where, as in the case
cited, no as 3essment has been made the
taxes could not be collected thereafter
and would be irredeemab!y lost to the
city,
This is a matter which, in importance,
lar transcends the question of who shall
be Supervisors, ana ali public-spirited
citizens should be willing TO assist in see
ing 1t safely settled
The Auditor does not propose making
any choice to-day. He has fourteen days
in which to prepare the rolls for the Tax
Collector. but he will ask the Board OF
EQUALIZATION for fifteen lays further
time
Ia the meantime he hopes the boards
will see lit to fix an identical levy, thus
disposiug of the question, or else that the
case can in some manner be brought into
court and settled
The Auditors annual report is due to-
day. 1t will be addressed to the Board OF
Supervisors, and Mr.. Broderick says he