The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-16
THE CITY AND THE CITIZEN.

M ORE than ordinary interest attaches to the
current number of the Merchants Association
Review by reason OF the publication in full OF
the address of President F. w. Dohrmann giving a
report OF his observations of municipal government
during his throughout the Eastern States
and Europe. The address is an able one, and de
serves the careful study OF every citizen who takes
intelligent interest in San Francisco and has enough
civic patriotism desire improve its conditions.
That Mr.. Dohrmann found in the great cities he
visited much that should be initiated emulated in
San Francisco goes without saying. municipality
so young as has always great deal which it can
learn with profit from older communities. The main
interest OF the address, however, does not lie in what
is said Of shortcomings as compared with older
cities but in the plans suggested for remedying them
II has long been known that need better sewers,
better paved and cleaner streets, public library
building commensurate to the needs of city OF this
size, and more efficient administration of civic al
fairs generally The question OF vital interest is How
shall we attain these things? To that question Mr..
Dohrmann addresses himself with earnestness and
with hopefuness.
Two plans are suggested. The first proposes that
the Merchants Association perfect a programme OF
municipal work and then call large and thoroughly
representative convention OF the people consider
il and revise it. To carry out this programme nom
partisan organization is to be effected and ticket of
il elected Under this plan political parties would be
aside and strictly municipal party would appeal
tc the people for support
The second plan proposes that the programme ap-
proved by the convention be submitted to all candi-
dates OF existing parties and the votes OF the support
ers of the programme given to those who would be
likely uphold it in office If any party refuse
to approve the programme in its PLATFORM then the
candidates OF that party to be opposed with might
and main.
That strong objections be urged to either or
both of these plans Mr. Dohrnann is we'll aware and
he frankly says He is sanguine, however, that il
one of them be adopted and firmly supported@by a
considerable body of resoute, earnest men, great
work can be accomplished for the Improvement of the
city. Nor there be any serious doubt that he is
right San Francisco will have better local govern
ment whenever the progressive and influential men
OF the city cooperate to effect it.
1T is not advisable to start non-partisan movement
that end for in the United States all such move
ments are futile. What has been accomplished in
Boston and Philadelphia affords evidences of what
be achieved here by party government if only the
right OF public sentiment be formed to support
good government
The first thing to be done is to impress upon the
citizen the sense of his personal responsibility to the
community. Upon that point Mr. Dohrmann was
both clear and strong in his utterances Let u.s. he
said unite and pledge ourselves and our best efforts
Let do duty to ourselves our homes and our
posterity Let at this time lay the foundation
broad and deep, that future generations may ap-
preciate our efforts and benefit by them Let us see
to that city will fulfill its manifest destiny which
IS to be not only OF the greatest but one of the
best of all dwelling places on earth"