The San Francisco call., 1897-02-05

captured as he entered the ch Der at
this point ana asked to explain to the
Mayor the object of his bill. He did so by
stating that it was to protect certain
railway property in Los Angeles from
competition. The Mayor asked to have a
conference with the southern gentleman
and the latter agreed to the suggestion.
The offices of the County Clerk, Re-
corder, License Collector. Sheriff and
other county departments were criticized
for alleged extravagance. He said there
was tendency in hard times to create
places for friends who were thrown out OF
employment.
Applause greeted the conclusion of the
Mayors address. He stated that he would
remain here tomorrow, and would be
pleased to consult with the authors of
measures relating to San Francisco.
Assemblyman Treacy called the Mayor 8
attention to his bill, preventing the de-
pletion of the pension fund of the Police
Department by promoting officials just
previous tc their retirement" His bill,
he declared, would save as much to the
city as would be required to increase the
salaries proposed in another measure con-
sidered by the Mayor, his reference being
to Wolfe's bill.
Wolfe took the floor in behalf OF his bill
and paid high tributes to the Chief OF
Police and his subordinates.
Assem- blyman Dibble. speaking in refer
ence to the Bulla bill previously referred
to, said the greatest evil California was
suffering from was the prohibition in the
constitution against special legislation.
He thought the words of the constitution
should be exactly reversed so as to pro-
hiblt the enactment of general laws when
special laws would answer.
He informed the mem bers of the Joint
com mites that a constitutional amend
ment was now in the Assembly providing
for the passage of special laws for special
interests and special instances by two
thirds vote of the Legislature, subject to
the absolute veto of the Governor. Such
provisions, he declared, would prevent
undesirable and harmful com binations.
Supervisor James Britt OF San Francisco
expressed himself in favor of increases in
the salaries of the Chief of Police, the
captains and detectives, the fireboat and
reduced car fares.
'Assemblyman Dibble asked the Mayor
to explain why he should object to the in
crease of salaries of certain San Francisco
officials when the charter which he sup
ported during the last election provided
for such increase.
Mayor Phelan answered by stating that
times had changed, crops had failed and
other things had occurred to make such an
increase undesirable at this time. Incl
dentally he m ade reference to his election
being due to the Dem ocratic voters.
This brought Wolfe to his feet in a short,
eloquent and impassioned speech. He de-
cIared that at the time of the election
question OF religion, which was a violation
OF the spirit of the constitution, had en-
tered into the cam paign. He asserted that
the Mayor owed his election not to his
advocacy of the new charter, but to the
vote of the fair-minded and broad minded
men of ali denominations and all political
parties, who were determined not to per-
nit any religious question to enter into
the politics of San Francisco. Senator
Wolfe's remarks called forth hearty ap-
plause.
A. K. Stevens, representing the Suffer-
street Railway, appeared in opposition to
the 213-cent fare. He argued that the
action of the Legislature should be based
on facts and not on sentiment and theo-
ries. The Sutter-street Railway, he said,
had o large capital invested and had
tended to develop the western portion of
San Francisco. The books of the COM
pany, he said further, showed that for
the last eight years the large capital
locked up in the enterprise had paid only
5 per cent year, ana that for the nine
years prior it did not pay a cent.
@. L. Ackerman argued that the ~
cent bill was contem plated injustice to
all the smaller street railways, ana tha,
the measure was one inspired by revenge
full and vindictive spirit against the Mar
ket-street Railway.
He declared that Mayor Phelan did not
have dollar invested in street railroads,
because he was too shrewd financier to
put his money into such enterprises, as
he knew the profits were not what most
people believed. He pleaded for fair con-
sideration and chance to be properly
heard as to all the facts and figures.
Senator Braunhart, the author of the
bill under discussion, declared he would
not consent to such hearing as Mr..
Alderman suggested, as that idea, he
thought, was suggested simply to buffet
the bill about from pillar to post. He
asserted that the Legislature had before
regulated carfares by statute and could DO
so again if it saw fit.
Mr.. Center, representing the San Fran
cisco Association of Improvement Clubs,
spoke against any increase in salaries of
San Francisco officials.
County Clerk Curry opened his remarks
by complimenting the Sheriff and the Po-
lice and Fire departments OF San Fran
cisco. He said that his predecessor had
neglected to collect over 100000 in fees,
and the Mayor, whose duty it was to look
after the matter, could come into his Of
flee at any time and ascertain where the
delinquents are. He added that it was
true he had employed more men than his
predecessors, but as a result be had turned
into the treasury $4,000 last year after
paying all the expenses of his Office,
which was more than self-sustaining. He
was willing at any time, he said, to have
his office investigated by the Superior
Judges OF San Francisco or by the Demo-
cratic Judges alone. He ended by speak
ing in favor of the adoption of new char
ter two years hence.
Senator Wolfe moved that the bill pro-
vldlng for increases in the salaries of cer-
tain police officials in San Francisco be
reported back with the recommendation
oy the Senate com mittee that it pass.
The motion was adopted. 1t was also de-
cided to report the free-market bill favor
ably to the Senate and at ten minutes