The San Francisco call., 1897-03-23

chamber has been the scene of some
heated debate. the rules for governing
which are not found in Cushing's Manual,
but never has the lobby of the City Hall
witnessed such lively three minutes as
were seen at the Hall of Records to-day.
When the new mem bers of the Board of
Supervisors took office, in January. Mr..
Roeth was in position 10 dictate. He had
with him two members of the board and
controlled everything. Before the new
board was a month old its com plexion
changed ard Mr.. Roeth was lonely mi
nority. He blamed Supervisor Church
with being the cause of his predicament,
and since that time the two gentlemen
have been ready to fall out at moments
notice. Last week Mr.. Roeth gave an in
terview rejecting forcibly on Mr.. Church.
Church refused to discuss the matter in
the papers, but was prepared to fight his
battle when the board met this morning.
No time was lost, and while discussing q
reauisition regarding the County Infirm-
ary, Church rose to a point OF personal
privilege. He said: There was q COM
munication published the other morning
from Mr.. Roeth. He did not have the
courage TO sign it. but it was OF such a
nature that 1t demands refutation. 1 am
plenty able to take care of myself person
ally, but when it comes to attacking me
in my official capacity, / will not let the
matter pass. i brand Mr.. Roeth's state
ment as lie which he can't substan-
Iiate."
Mr. Church then turned toward Mr..
Roeth, and with violent rage he thumped
his desk and cried out: II brand that
statement as a lie, and the man that m ade
it don't know what he is talking about.
have figures here to prove this, and here
they are"
Mr.. Church then handed the clerk re-
port from the city expert which showed
conclusively that Mr.. Roeth had been mis-
taken in his published statement. After
it had been read Church resumed:
81 have produced my figures and now
defy Mr.. Koeth to produce his" As he
said this Church's fist was dangerously
near Mr.. Roeth's face.
Roe,h shouted, Whom are you talking
about, the Examiner or mep"
II say this, sir; the Examiner was mis-
informed. and you lied"
Both Supervisors jumped to their feet
and faced each other, but as nobody called
time, and they did not hear q gong. each
retired to his corner, or more properly,
sat down in his seat.
Roeth demanded that the charges and
language of Mr.. Church be placed on the
minutes, and after be declined to be ques-
toned, Church again gave him the lie
direct, and there was more confusion.
Supervisor Wells made a motion that
the board take recess for fifteen minutes,
and Chairman Talcott Immediately de-
clared it without taking vote.
The incident in the boardroom does not
explain the cause of the feeling between
the two men. 1t dates back to the time
prior 10 election, and may yet end in some
sensational exposures.
Before the election friends OF Assessor
Dalton went around to the candidates for
Supervisor and tried to get their sigma
lures to paper binding them to support
the assessments of Assessor Dalton if
elected. This paper, it is said was signed
by Wells and Roeih. Mitchell would not
sign ii, and Church does not approve of
any man who sits on the Board of Equal
| ization, as do the Supervisors. tying him.
self up beforehand. When the Board of
EQUALIZATION meets an attempt will prob
ably be made to show that Wells and
Roeth are incompetent to sit. Should