The San Francisco call., 1897-05-31
NO DEFENSE FOR
THE DEADFALLS
Condemned by Officials and
Respectable Liquor
Dealers.
Too Many Details Crept Into
Last Campaigns Political
Platforms.
Teachers on the Anxious Seat Be.
cause of the Approaching An
nual Elect OIL.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, |

NFFlCE i II
9aS Broadway, May 20.
The libel suit BROUGHT against the Lii
cense Inspector will probably lead to some
very stringent legislation regulating what
are known as "ali-night restaurants" In
Oakland saloons are required to close at
midnight, Int during the past FIVE years
there has sprung up large number OF So
called restaurants that make speciality
OF 'all-niGht" patronage. What they are
no one knows better than the Chief of Po-
lice, the officers and men whose business
keeps them around town at all hours.
They are such that no one with a spark of
manhood would think of saying a word
in their defense, and any one who would
bring libel suit on the strength OF their
reputation is indeed an oddity.
These midnight and early morning re-
sorts are said by the respectable liquor
dealers to be the curse of the business.
More young men and gjIIs are morally
ruined by them in one week than in all
the aW-abiding saloons in year. They
assert that there is no legitimate business
for aIl-night restaurants in this city, as is
proved by the fact that every bona-tide
restaurant in town closes soon after mid
night because there Is no longer patron
age. The License Ins pector may have
made his printed remarks point too di-
rectly to the individual, but propriety for
bids publication OF the history of Oak
lands all-night restaurants, and all who
have an atom of regard for decency would
like TO see an ordinance passed peremp-
torily closing them at the same time as
legitimate saloons.
1t is very evident that there will be no
restoration of discipline in the Fire De-
partment until the board either decides
on q change or that there shall not be
one. The existing uncertainty has de-
moralized the department., and the oft
recurring scandals would not be heard OF
Il ? new chief were elected or the present
one reappointed.
Since last Wednesdays meeting, when
1t was decided not to elect Chief Fair for
another term, there has been more dis
satisfaction than before. Subordinates
are not very likely to show great deal of
respect for semi-deposed chief, and as
there are many ambitious fremen in this
city 1t behooves the board in the interests
OF all concerned to act at once. OF course,
there are certain political deals TO be
made, and IL takes time 10 harmonic
them, but the delay is too great.
Comm lssioner Dow has attem pted to re-
tain Chief Fair, and was not successful, so
he is out of any probable com bine Mayor
Thomas and City Engineer Clement alone
have to be considered, and as the term for
which the Fire Chief was elected has al
ready expired nearly two months they
should be ready to act by next Wednes-
days meeting. The fact should not be
forgotten that portion of each scandal
reflects upon the board; that it is sup
posed 10 place men in responsible positions
who are capable of main tanning discipline
The many references to the platforms OF
the respective parties made at the fight
over the fire hydrants last Monday night
have caused a very grave doubt as TO
whether the law governing apte-election
promises was not encroached upon. In
explaining their votes many OF the Coun-
ciimen plainly stated that thev were
elected 10 do q certain thing IN connection
with the fire hydrants and that they in
tended to do it. These men all swore
fealty TO the platforms before their re-
spective conventions and as a result they
now declare that they are not now open to
conviction, no matter how much argu-
ment may be made, because OF their ante
election pledges.
If this be not literal infraction of the
law it is certainly against its spirit and in
tent. 1t has caused d scussion as to
whether the platforms are not altogether
too long and detailed. During the past
two years people have been elected to Of
fee partly on The strength of promises re-
gardlng assess ments, anti-corporation
pledg- s and other m alters, and when in
office have been known 10 fall back on
these platforms as justification for their
acts. Should some of these Questions
reach the Supreme Court an interesting
time NAV be expected. The water fight
is between men representing millions
of dollars and is so bitter that it would
not be surprising if more were heari
about that plank in all the political plat
forms relating to water hydrants.
This principle of inserting details in
political platforms and binding candi
dates could be carried so far in Oakland
that the man who writes the platform
would be the ruler of the city for the en-
suing two years, and this is exactly what
is not wanted.
The annual election of school-teachers
Will be held next week, and as there is a
new Board of Education there is The usual
feeling OF uncertainty among the teachers.
Some have resigned, presum ably because
they might fail TO be reelected, and MANY
others are anxious. The annual election
OF teachers is always source of scandal,
some years verv slight a other times vefy
pronounced. 1t is, however, provided for
by the charter-ihe same charter that
makes it i'm apostolic to have a Park Com
mission, that provides for the present DO
itical Board of Works-and until a new
charter is framed that contains some
intelligent laws for local government there
can be no relief. STUART w. BooTH