The San Francisco call., 1897-01-06

OF allowed Dy the daTDOT COluntSSlOueIa
should be subject 10 the approval OF
the State Board OF miners, and
that the latter board shou have the
The mum beg of its emnoyes and fix their COM
pensation; that all new work on wharves,
buildings and other Improvements should be
by contract, under the oct OF 1876 except
urgency repairs, which could be made on re-
port OF he engineer to the board). and that
contracts to furnish all supplies of lumbe
coal and other articles purchased in large
quantities should be. after compe titive bid
ding, let to the lowest bidder, as is usual in
OF her departments of the States government.
This board expends annually 100000, which
expenditure should be surrounded by all D os-
S BILE safeguards. While the present audit of
the Harbor commissioners claims may be en-
tirely free from criticism, common justice re-
quires that its demands be treated as ere the
demands OF the other departments OF the
State, and that all alike submit their claims 10
one common auditing board, the State Board
of Examiners.
"Tre Legislature of California, by act ap-
proved March II, 1891, provided a fund For
the const1 uction and furnishing OF o general
ferry and passenger depot at or near the foot
OF Market street, in the City and County OF
San Francisco, and 10 tcost not TO exceed
| $500 600" Thereafter. the Harbor Commits
sioners. proceeding to construct such build
| ing, had plans and specifica tions prepared,
and instead of expending 5000 900 thereon, il
contracted for the construction of the founda-
| ton and superstructure aS separate and dis
tinct works and it expended in the construc-
| ton OF the foundation and approaches alone
the sum OF 1886 202 so, and will expend in
| the Snperstructure, or what they delight TO
call the building, the 100000 voted by the
people. There can be no question that the
| intent of the act was that the buildin2-foun-
dation, walls, roof. furniture and all-should
| cost not to exceed 100000, and il would not
have cost to exceed mat amount had the law
| compelled the Harbor Commissioners to pro.
ceed under the act OF March %. 1876.
Labor Commission.
"During the last session of the Legislature
an endeavor was made TO pass bill providing
for the establishment OF free abor employme n
agencies. Owing, however, to prejudice
against the labor bureau as then conducted
the Legis a;ure refused to pass the BILL or even
appropriate money for the support of the bu-
reau itself. | Therefore aDpoiL ted q gentleman
fully committed to the idea OF establishing
such bureau and shortly after his iasralla-
tion in office he organized the same. His work
is familiar to us. Entering office under the
most inauspicious circumstances, with a
strong prejudice against the bureau itself. Mr..
Fitzgerald mas so organized aud conducted his
department as to do great good; not the least
OF his work being to find positions and secure
employment. during the recent depression, for
upward OF 5000 skilled and unskilled persons.
Boards CT Health.
"The powers of the State Board of Health
should be enlarged. Its work during tue past
year has been satisfactory; it has been ham
pered, however, through failure to possess
essential authority. It's quarantine rights
under the act Of March 49, 1885, are too linn
tied, as the experience OF the past year h as
taught us. In some official should be lodged
the power to quarantine one portion OF the
State against another for animals us well as
human beings. The law imposes this duty for
such quarantine from points without The
State. but leaves the board powerless within
it. Much trouble and loss were occasioned
our cattlemen during the year 1896 by reason
OF this oversight IN the act, ana but for the
consideration of the Department OF Agricul-
ture at Washington and the energy of our Sem
ators and Representatives the damage to on r
cattle-raisers would have been excessive. An
amendment to- the law, providing that the
board may quarantine between various points
within the State, and allowing the use OF the
existing contagious disease fund for this pur-
pose, wnen necessary, would prove of incal-
culable benefit to the State, and especially TO
the cattle-breeders and farmers" The Cover
nor pays the San Francisco Board of Health
high tribute.
Yosemite Com mmIssion.
The Yosemite Com mission during the pasr
two years has entirely changed its system OF
doing business, and by a radical change IN its
rules and bylaws. endeayored 10 prevent all
pooiings, special privileges or favoritisms such
as have been complained OF in the past. lis
aim has been TO give 10 the general public,
and especially TO the citizens OF this State d
place OF pleasant resort at the least possible
cost.
Roads.
Over 81, 100000 of money being annually
expended on roads, with but little permanent
imp oyement, the last Legislature deemed 1t
in the public interest to endeavor to remedy
this evil and to that end enacted law Great
ing Bureau OF Highways
"The work of the bureau cannot be too
highly commended. Its close study of this
most important question; its hard work in
holding meetings in every county of the State:
its inspection OF all the main roads; its bulle.
tins and lectures have aroused an interest on
this subject never before felt in California.
'sThat immense good would flow from the
construction of State system of highways
is beyond question. and few State roads