The San Francisco call., 1897-08-28
BR0DERICK IS
VERY CAUSTIC
Mayor Phelan Pointedly In
Vited to Mind His Own
Business.
The Controversy Over the Sign
ing Of Stationery Warrants
Grows Warmer.
The Chief Executive Accused of In
pugning the Motives of Another
Officer of the City.

The controversy between Auditor Brod-
erick and Mayor Phelan over the payment
of the bills for City printing grows warmer
day by day, and the chances are that the
matter will be settled by tn, courts before
either is satisfied.
Mayor Phelan's criticism on the Audi
tors action in signing batch OF bills has
aroused Mr.. Broderick to defend his posi-
tion and TO tell the chief executive of the
City, almost in so many words, to stay
within the confines of his own duty and
not interfere where his official power gives
hum no right. He addressed the following
letter to the Mayor yesterday:
AUDITORS OFFICE, CITY HALL
Hon. James d. Pbeidn, Mayor OF San
FrGnctsco-DEAR SIR: / inclose you clip
ping from morning paper, which seems,
fr ON the quotation marks, TO be printed from
statements made by you deliberately, and
therefore such as you are ready 10 assume the
responsibility or In regard 10 the same beg
leave to say:
In your general argument as to what is con-
templated by law In lhe matter OF printing
and stationery and how the same should be
contracted for, have no disposition TO pre-
vent you from publls hing your views, II you
find any pleasure tnerefrom.
For your published views and intentions you
will be responsible 10 the public. If your
promises, no doubt you will be a Bile to give the
pubic your reasons for both.
To my mind your argument and reasons
given for your views on warrants that have
audited, and which you refer 10 in your letter
to the Treasurer smscks of determination to
have your own way, right or wrong. The ar
gume2t may be good enough II you refuse to
favor something that might be, but of no value
as to the meaning OF the law as 1T Is. In the
letter written by your clerk, Mr.. Sullivan, you
are credited with saying Certain things which
INN hn mr. n Sa n Er
cisco ian Office that have the honor to hold
by the grace OF the people) is engaged in issu-
ing Illegal and Invalid warrants upon the
treasury, and that you wish the treasury pro-
tected against such irregularities.
1t will not do for you to say, as you are cred
tied under quotation marks, "Of course this
is only the Auditors iDterpre tation." 1t you
will give some attention to the consolidate on
act YOU will find til at the Auditors opinion as
10 the legality or validity CT q claim against
the tire asury is paramount.
1t is his sworn duty to determine the matter
and your conduct is indicative of desire to
attack my ntegrity as an officer. You have
here totore, indirectly and without just reason,
done the same thing, but not quite SO fla
grantly. l feel it my duty 10 inform you in
this case that you have no license TO assume
the functions of office to which you were
not elected and to presume to publish such
! matter as is contained in the papers this
morning.
To hold back demands and refuse 20 issue
warrants upon the treasury in favor of sta
TONERS and others furnishing supplies to San
Francisco, which in my judgment as Auditor
OF San Francisco are strictly legal and valid,
because. forsootn, the Mayor may have con-
trary opinion, without any of the Obligations
and responsiblities that attach to the office OF
Auditor, respectfully suggest would cad for
a change OF my nature and practices, III / es-
TEEN demand legal and valid l will issue a
warrant on the treasury. If l esteem it other
wise l will refuse, and no influence outside the
properly authorized ones or the proof OF my
error will change that decision.
The oath of office of Auditor and the bonds
for faithful performance of duty are mine, n OF
yours. WILLIAM FREDERICK, Auditor.