The San Francisco call., 1898-04-18
THAT WATER
 FRONT JOKER May Be Run to Earth at the Conference
 To-Day.
Young Republicans May Soon Be United in One Strong
 League.
Not Any Iram ediat7 Prospect Of More Public Sensations for the
 Present
Oakland Office San Francisco Call.
sos Broadway, April IT.

N)ahldnu OIlCe OdI IdilClSCO Oet4AS
 sos Broadway, April II.
 It is hard to understand why, just at this time, when the celebrated water front litigation seems In a fair way to reach a termination. a petition should be made to the War Department to change the pier-head line of Oakland Harbor. The fact that an official of the petitioning firm is also an employe of one of the many branches of the Southern Pacific Company, is proof that the change is not desired in the interest of the city of Oakland or the State of Cali fornia It is evident that the decision of the Supreme Court is not favorable to the corporation and that 1t is prepared to lend it's aid to any scheme that will add to It's chances of keeping all competition from off the water front.
 This action is at once an encouraging sign and a menace. It is encouraging because it shows that the Southern Pa Cific foresees a great future for the Oak land water front, and 1t naturally wants to retain it. No fight would be under taken and no display of unpopularlty risked if the stake were not worth It. The railroad people would far rather ap- pear yielding and pleasant to this city than provoke a controversy, so that when q controversy is provoked the game is worth the candle. For nearly two years there have been wharves, managed oy private owners, on the estuary aboVe the bridges, and the volume of trade d0ne has exceeded all expectations. The Southern Pacific is as alive to such ben efitS as any private individual, ana IT possible it wants no more competition than it has at present. It must not be forgotten that Oakland offers the only opportunity in the bay for rail and water to meet In this respect it has infinitely more possibilities than San Francisco, but because the Southern Pacific owns the tracks is no reason why 1t should monopolZe the water.
 To-morrow's meeting with the Govern ment engineers is of vital importance to this city, and it is to be hoped that the mercantile bodies who have already strongly protested against the change of harbor lines will make a strong and log ical showing before the United States engineers.
 It would seem to be d wise action for all the young men Republicans of this city to unite and form an organization of which all can be proud. After the harmonious nature of the meeting last Friday night, and the positive declara- ton that the league is not pledged to any candidate and will not be until after the convention, there seems to be no reason why MT. Pulcifer need not join the rest. It would be a graceful act to so arrange matters as to let him fill the Vlce-preSlGentS chair or some other office. When all prejudice is cast aside, it cannot but be admitted that Pulcifer has q grievance, and valid one. but it is evident also that the time has passed when it can be arbitrated. What ever jugglery was practiced last year, and there was some, is past and no good purpose can be served by reSurrecting 1t. Certainly nothing is to be gained by fomenting strife between the league and it's friends and MT. Pulcifer and his friends. It is understood that Pulcifer is to call a meeting of his friends next week. Should he do so. it will be decid- Sdly improper for any members of the league presided over by MT. Breed to attend They have declared that theirs is the only league; they have organized and should not contenance by their pres ence anything MT. Pulcifer may do. It is the right of everybody to call a meet ing and not to expect opposition from those not in sympathy.
 Matters having reached their present condition, it would seem to be compara- lively easy to harmonize with dignity on all sides. A Young Mems Republican League, with 1000 honest members, will exercise a great force on behalf of the party in this county, and this is the pur- pose of the league. It is not organized to elect County Auditor, or Justice of the Peace, or an Assemblyman. or a County Clerk, or a Governor, but to elect the Republican nominee, and as soon as Il descends to any smaller task 1t be- comes a piece club and will work more harm than good to the party it would aid.
 A little incident occurred at the court house on Saturday afternoon that is worthy of passing mention as 1t throws a side light on official life not any too common. A boy and girl-they were noth- ing more-were anxious to get married. There was some reason for their anxiety The girl was just of age, the boy a little over l9. He was an orphan and had no guardian, and, therefore, no one could sanction the marriage. Their plight was made known to Judge Ellsworth just as he was about to leave for home by a 9E~ Ind youths and liked their appearance He said if an attorney would act and a re- liable guardian could be found he would fix matters up. Attorney A. L. Black offered his services, and for over an hour he and the Judge worked to oblige the young couple. A petition for letters had to be drawn up, then affidavit prepared so that the court fees could be remitted Two sureties had to be procured to go