The San Francisco call., 1897-04-12
MORE UNSIGNED
LETTERS MAILED
A Cruel Attempt to Injure
a Young Lady Yet at
School.
Duty of Election Contestants TO
Apologize to Maligned
officials.
A Returned Traveller Reports a Great
Interest in the REdeavor Conven.
tion and California
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL !


Soo Broadway, April IL.
Beneath the surface of local society
there is in Oakland continual under
current OF uneasiness, caused by the
anonymous letter writer. This remark
does not refer to the class of anonymous
letters that nearly led up to the death
last week of Ium Der company's man
ager, but to the class who pose as legiti-
mate society" few months ago the
cowardly method OF attack was used
against very estimable young lady, and
caused her considerable undeserved
an guish with regard 10 the Deux Temps
Club. Some time previous the same
method OF creating unhappiness was
practiced, with prominent financier for
the victim. Within the past two weeks,
however, an effort TO hurt the feelings
and standing of an innocent schoolgirl
has been made, but because of the nobility
OF mlno OF all concerned, it has proved
futile.
The girl in question is attending one of
the most fashionable educational iustitu-
tlons in this city. Owing to one of those
unhappy events which are so painfully
prevalent in modern society in q State
where divorce laws are easy the young
lady Is a present ward of Mrs. Prescott
whose work on behalf of unhappy little
ones cannot be too highly commended
Because of this lady's works on behalf of
all children needing more care than is ac-
corded them by those responsible for
them an i'm preston has gone forth that
there is stigma attached to her large
family. This is cruelty false and the
young lady referred to is inferior in birth
or personal charms to none.
The anonymous letter-writer, however,
actuated by motive worthy of q Machia-
veili, wrote to some of the parents of the
pills and tried to create trouble. The
result could not have been very satisiac-
tory to the writer, for it led 10 inquiry
and gave good opportunity to make
public the exact status of about fifl cen
worthy young people for whom Mrs.
Prescott in her official capacity is re-
sponsible.
One OF the parents written to is a man
known officially, professionally and as a
citizen all over this State and would ten
thousand times sooner strike down q
coward than be a party, however remote,
10 an injury against an innocent child
and ii he could find that letter-writer Mrs
Prescott's wards would need no other de-
fender.
The politicians have had a recount and
1t IS to be hoped that they are satisfied
with the money they have thrown away.
The attempt to discover that fraud had
been com mitted in the interest of Mayor
Thomas was most remarkable proceed
ing from the very beginning. Although
some very serious allegations were made
ION information ana belief nobody was
anxious to be known as the party who was
making the contest on behalf OF Mr..
Davie. One individual did publicly
acknowledge that he had made big bet
and that he would not pay it unless thore
was recount, but he did not pay the
expenses, and it is not at all likely that
Attorney George de Cola will proclaim
from the houselo who paid his fee.
But that Is not the point of greatest in
terest at present. The experience OF two
recounts held in less than two weeks has
been to prove that no fraud was COM
mltted. 1t Is q favorite cry to make in
modern politics, that corruption was re-
sorted to to secure certain results. That
cry was raised two weeks ago and has
been effectively refuted and everybody
should know that politics in Oakland, so
Tar as an election count is concerned, is
absolutely pure. Out OF nearly 10, 900
votes cast for Mayor, judicial recount
only made difference of ten, and as
there were about thirty-four boards of
election officers, who were on duty from
twenty-forr to twenty-eight hours, they
are entitled to an apology from those who
uniustly maliened them.
Few men are more obseryant or broader
in their observations than theatrical man
ayers, and when they express an opinion
on current events their views are gem
orally correct. A few weeks ago Mark
Thall, the wel-known Macdonough man
ager, left the East with a company trav-
cling westward. After stopping at all the
large cities OF the South and Southwest he
arrived here Friday. He reports hearing
more of California than in any other
period during twenty-five years OF active
theatrical life.
II have travelled over this country for
the greater part of thirty years." said Mr..
Thall, land | have never heard so much
interest expressed in California as l have
listened to since / left New Orleans. This
Christian Endeavor Conve ntion that
meets in San Francisco in July is the
cause of it. In the hotels and the theaters
people are button-holing every Californian
that comes along and wanting to know ali
about the State. 1t is really remarkable
and whenever there was a chance repor.
ters would come 70 me and interview me
about San Francisco. They heard from
some one that was an old-tlmer out here
and l had no peace.
II think San Francisco will be sur
prised at the number of young peo-
Pile that will come here in July.
Thousands of them are not coming
out on flying visit either, but intend
to take in the West while they are here.
You can rest assured that told them they
would not see all California had to show
unless they visited Oakland, and 1 am
very glad there is to be special Oakland
day, because [ sha'n't feel that l talked in
vain.
People should make no mistake in this
matter. 1t is a glorious opportunity to
teach these people something about this
State, and they are coming here willing to
be favoraDly impressed"
Srrr