The San Francisco call., 1897-02-11
Met the Opposition of the San
Francisco Delegation in
the Senate.
Bitter Words Banded by Members in
Discussing the Proposed
Red uctions,

duction in the number of register clerks in
the County Clerks Office from twelve to
four, assistant register clerks from twenty
four to thirteen and copyists from thirty
six to fifteen.
After Braunhart had explained the pur-
pose of his bill, which was to reduce the
expenses of the County Clerks Office,
Deputy County Clerk Casey made state
ment taken from the records. showing
that the business of all departments of
the City Government of San Francisco
had largely increased within the last fif-
teen years, including that of the County
Clerk.
When Casey concluded he stated, as is
customary with those who appear before
committees, that he was ready to answer
any questions the Senators might desir
to ask. Chairman Mahoney addressed
Senator Braunhart, referring to him as
the distinguished Senator from San Fran
cisco, with emphasis on the word distin-
guished, and asked him if he had any
thing to say.
Senator Braunhart, scenting adverse
action on his bill, with considerable show
OF spleen stated he did not desire to ask
any questions, as he knew nothing he
could say would have any effect on the
delegation.
This aroused Senator Wolfe, who indig-
nantly protested against Braunhart's in
nue1does- Il want TO protest again st these
insinuations," he said. "If the Senator
has introduced this bill merely to make
q record for himself or his party, that fact
should not give him the right to reflect on
the mem bers of this com mittee. And l
say. right here, if he can elicit any in
other source that WILL prove his bill to be
g good measure, l will vote for it with
him."
1T is not pleasant for me-" prom pity
responded Braunhart "to disagree with
my colleagues, but l don't think anything
I can say would change the result with
this committee. l shall state whatever |
have to say on the floor OF the Senate.
have introduced this bill in good faith,
and think it ought TO pass.
Referring to these personalities, con-
tinued the irate Senator, 81 desire to avoid
them. l further desire to be referred to
simply as Mr.. Braunhart, or Senator
Braunhart, and not as the distinguished
Senator If such reference is again made
l shall not answer it here, but from my
seat in the Senate" 4
This was delivered with eyes and gest-
ures directed at Chairman Mahoney. The
latter quickly replied:
men L Will answer
1t was finally decided to report the bill
back with the accommodation that 1t do
not pass, Braunhart alone voting for his
measure.
Senator Mahoney presented the report
OF the San Francisco delegation during
the afternoon session of the Senate.
Braun hart at once took the floor, opening
as follows;
81 offered this amendment in good
faith, and l desire to call the attention of
the Senate to the existence of an evil in
San Francisco for which there seems to
be no redress. l assure the Senators that
1t is not pleasant task for me to appear
on the floor OF the Senate alone to advo-
cate this measure before the Senate. But
this is a wrong that calls aloud for re-
dress. l desire every Senator to vote
upon this question intelligently, as it
may be present ted in my hum bic manner.
1t is unpleasant to me to have to offer an
amendment that is opposed by the San
Francisco delegation"
He then entered upon an appeal for
economy and com pared the expenses of
the County Clerks Office in San Francisco
with those in similar ofhces in other coun-
ties-a com parison which, owing to the
vast differences in the amount OF business
transacted in San Francisco and the coun-
ties brought into the com mparison, had very
little effect on the members. Senator
Wolfe spoke in favor of the adoption of
the com mittee's report.
~ regret" he began, "very much that
1t is necessary in the consideration of this
question to go into so much of the local
and political affairs of San Francisco.
Permit me to say" be continued. that
we can dismiss from the consideration of
this question the charge made against the
present County Clerk, whose greatest Of
Tense in the eyes of the gentleman who
preceded me ID that he is Republican.
He charged that the County Clerk was
endeavoring 10 control the party in San
Francisco. l want to state that he is not
in control of the party in San Francisco
land that the party there is powerful and
strong enough to look after its own affairs
and the interests of the people without
any assistance from the gentleman re-
ferred 10.
This matter is being discussed as if we
were trying to create more expense in
connection with the Office of the County
Clerk. Let me state that the bill as re-
ported oy the County Government Com
mltIee leaves the County Clerks Office in
the same position 1t has been in. | also
desire to state that the County Clerk does
not appoint ali the clerks that he is per-
mitted to appoint under the law, and that
every man now employed there is abso-
lutely necessary to the proper conduct of
the office.
1.-The proposed amendment is not an
proved by the people of San Francisco.
who do not want salaries reduced. because
the clerks earn every dollar they receive
am not making this defense for anv no.
:litical reasons or for any personal reasons
but l don't propose to take for granted
anything upon the mere statement of the
gentleman who has just spoken"
He referred to Deputy Casey's state
ment and the increase of business in all
departments of the City government.
The attention of the Senate was also
called to the fact that the people of San
Francisco would soon be called upon TO
vote for a new charter, which would take
this question out of the Legislatures s
hands in the future.
Braunbart closed the argument by de-
clarlng that it was question of politics.
'1t is a matter of keepirg a political
machine in power" he shouted. 1T is a
Icom bination between the bosses, both Re-
kublican and Democratic who are nom
tpartisan. They desert their organiza-
'tions and affiliations. 1t is communism
OF pelf that keeps them together"
The report of the San Francisco delega-
tion that the Braunhart amendment do
not pass was adopted by a vote of % to 6,
and carried with it the defeat OF the
amendment.
After the adiournment of the Senate