The San Francisco call., 1897-11-08
Some of the Pleasures of
a Congressman While
Resting.
VIII Auditor Snow See Another
Annual Bursting Of
Park Bubble7
Prospect That Oakland viii Have
No Sidewalks During the
Holidays.

When q Congress man reaches home it
IS not always 10 enjoy "a well-earued
rest" There is one of that unfortunate
ody ia this city at present who is daily
putin. in as may hours as while at
Washington. This week he gave one in
stance Of the terrible rus that is made by
prosp pective office-seekere, many of whom
having made their pleas locally carry
their petitions on 10 Washington and
stay there ONE months trying to secure
the coveted plum.
"One case suggests itself to me at pres
! .lt," be said land it IS q fair sample OF
tens of thousands OF others that come be-
fore the attention of Congre- smen. There
i lIttle ci;Y in France the sa arv for the
consulate OF whicn is just $500 a year.
Yet, would yo1 believe it, there were ex-
actly 81 applicants for the place. Most
People have the idea that ponlical offices
are sought mostly by men VINO have no
otner means of making living.
This 5 great mistake, because among
the W. thy Classes there Is far more de-
sire to represent the United States abroad
than there IS among ;he people who have
no Independent income. In the par leu
lar instance to which | have referrp d, an
eX-J 1dce of the Superior Court of San
Francisco made a personal plea to al the
COngresSmen in this State TO secure that
little less than$l a-day position. Later
stIll he West TO WASHINGTON and spsn. six
month, in mat city begging and pleading
for that job.
i was not the emoiument he wanted,
but he wished 20 make a stay in Europe,
and be was prepared 10 eXpend thousands s
Of dollars for the honor OF having the
stars ana Stripes waving over his house
and an eagle over his door.
Il MS, OF course, Is very proper spirit,
but it just illustrates some Of The de icate
questions that come before Congre, s.
man-not singly or in dozens, but By hun
dreds."
The Oakland high scnooi boys are lack
ing in something. a week ago an inter. or
newspaper charged them openly with be-
ing lot of young drunkards and hood
lums. The matter was brought before
them by The principal, and 4 sorI OF gen.
e-ai denial was gwen out which seems to
have satisfied all concerned. This is let
ting the matter drop altogether too easily.
I he boys are not alone N the matter. The
credit of he school and to less extent of
the whole city is involved IN the ridicu-
lous article, and the origin of il should
have been found and exposed. Oakland
Il gh School students are u OF oi the class
Ie7resented, but are a reputable body OF
ylUng men and women, and yet they see N
contenied 10 rest unoer the impu alton
that they are disgrace 10 I, city whose
educational system is second to none on
the coast.
If ever there were a time when it W as
incum bent upon Oakland 10 quit talking
and do ~omething, that time has now ar
rived in regard to public parks. For three
months this city has dreamed and written
aad read and talked of parks, until now
the public mind is IN the same position
OF Mr.. Tweed a one time in his history,
and it is anxious TO be informed What
are you gong TO 0 bout it?'
There IS no excuse Tor not acting. The
outside word has been informed time and
time again through the press. at put bile
meetings, al plCnics and by circulars that
there are al least a dozen beautiful and
picturesque = es in the imme late neigh
borno0d o! this city, any one of which
would make ultimately competitor TO
Golden Gate Park.
This having gone abroad along with the
Ofi-Tepeated statement that there Is not a
single PARK or public playground in the
Whote OF tbs city. II is out natural that
tile rest OF the State wall be looking for
ward daAy TO the announce ment that at
last Oakland has purchased a beautiful
DOMAIN No excuse can be offered except
that OF lacN u public spirit and absolute
indifference % progress il such a move be
not made. 1t would be a reflection on the
intelligence Of Oakland's real-estate men
10 presume that ihey have not already
presented every possible fact in favor Of
lhelr respective sites that could be brought
toward, ana nothing now remains out for
1 the Counch 10 act The voters are really
\ 10 have the question submitted 10 them If
n a naf f4a.g
Mss the striking be done while be iron is
hot the whole matter will degrade into the
twenty-thlrd OF what Auditor Snow bas
already said he has seen twenty-lwo-tbe
annual bursting OF park bubble.
At the next meeting of the merchants
the question OF the obstruction OF side.
walks and the building of stores thereon
is likely to receive some definite attentior
Some OF The members are now tryino IN
find out by what right or title the men
who do business on he sidewalk are pe-.
} mitted to be nuisance to foot passengers
and legitimate stoTekeepers. This matter
Is likely to be a more -erious proposition
fsthe no liday season advances. Ii is had
enough now, and In some parts OF town
with Il 14-iOot sidewalk three peopIe can
not walk abreast without soiling their
Clothes or being jostled. As The holiday
trade comes on It is more than likely that
prohting by The immunity from inIer
ference eni yeI by those who erect stores
on The sidewalk. many others viii
come in and thus save rent ior the
IeNt TWO months.
Iaere are ordinances declaring such
actions t. be misdemeanors. but tTev
m'Rht as we'll never have been passed. so
lar as their enforcement is concerned.
1hese remarks are not directed to tho,e
VINO make few daily nlckels with pea
nut roaster or shoe black stand, or who
ma II Convenient N earring on their
ou mess 10 nave emporarily few pack