The record-union., 1897-09-16
SAN FRANCISCO sECTIONALISM.

A due observance of journalistic cour-
tesy gives to a candid opponent the ben
eft of doubt when motives are under
consideration. but it is a great stretch
of credulty to accord the San Francis
co Cali credit for worthy motives in
declaring that opposition to the cleo
ton of the State Board of Equalization
at large is a species of secuonalism.
The call" is guilty either of stupid
ity or of dishonesty in this contention.
Local self-government depends upon
local representation. If the Cali is
right then the whole State should be
governed by San Francisco through the
operation of elections at large. relating
to congressman, Senators and Assem-
blymen. Proportional representation is
of the essence of democratic institu-
tions and the right to tax is the most
arbitrary exercised by Government.
The right to tax is the right to destroy.
The tax gatherer approaches the tax
payer with all the bayonets of the
country behind him. The taxing power
is in the very nature of things arbitra-
~. AMI at this point proportional and
sectional representation is of the high
est importance The exercise Of the
power to tax on the part Of Govern
ments has been the occasion of more
bloodshed than any other cause. 1t
was q question of taxation which cost
Charles the First his head, and ques-
tion of taxation which cost George the
Third his colonies in America
Unmindful of the paramount import
ance Of the repose of a system of tax
alton, the Cali has proposed a de-
struction of proportional representation
in the interest of San Francisco sec
tionalism. 1t has complaints to make
against the present State Board Of
Equalization because it has raised the
assessment of San Francisco in two in
stances and lowered the assessments
upon property in the interior. If San
Francisco is not to acquire an undue
influence over the Board Of Equaliza-
ton. OF what value will their election
at large be to that city? Why should
the call" propose the measure at all
if it was not in the interest Of San
Francisco? And yet our contemporary
certainly depends upon an inconceiva-
bic degree Of stupidity among its read
ers when it declares that all advocacy
for the maintenance of the present sys-
tenn is sectional. It proposes, it
says. ito put an end to sectional an
tagonisms by electing the State Board
of Equalization at large There is a
school-boy simplicity in this which
loudly proclaims the novice in public
policies. Sectionalism is intensified
when different sections have a common
right to vote upon the same officer. Sec
ttonaIism is allayed when sections are
accorded the right to proportional rep
resentation.
1t has been estimated that one-fourth
of the voting power strongly centralized
is equal to the control of corporations,
municipalities, States and nations. A
consolidated vote equal to one-fourth
of the voting strength Of any organi-
zation and welded sl1ilIfully in con-
ventions as we'll as at the ballot box
will result in the choice Of a majority
of the officers to be chosen over any
period of time that may be named.
When the present Constitution was
formed, it was proposed TO deny to
great aggregations Of population pro-
portionate representation upon the the
ory that a proportionate representation
to large cities was unfair TO the more
sparscly settled districts. San Fran
cisco has twenty-one out OF eighty
members of the Assembly, and eleven
out of forty Senators. In State Con
ventions it usually casts about one
fourth of the entire vote.
When questions of taxation are con-
cerned, perfect unanimity Of the people
residing in any particular locality may
be depended upon. They are under the
same exigency; under the same temp
tation to gain an illicit advantage by
a low assessment Of their property and
a correspondingly high assessment upor
the property Of their neighbors. This