The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-21
Democrats ReaAirm Loyalty to
Old Princi pies, and Also to
a Few New Ones of
Their Own Crea-
.
g.. ton.


In convention assembled hereby affms It's
allegiance to the historic principles OF the
Democracy as enunciated IN its political
platforms and appeals TO the voters of this
community for their support of the men
and measures put forward by this municipai
! convention
heroic efforts has rid itself of self Inn
posed political boss and his cohorts, routed
1hem in two appeals to the people. ana ue-
feated their pretensiohs before jury COM
posed of about eight hundred Democrats
OF the State in convention assembled, AFTER
fair and full trial; We denounee politicai
bossisrn and appeal to the people TO sup
port the successful efforts by which oossism
WAS destroyed, and we point to our political
fpollcy. as enunciated In this platform ana
to the character OF our nominees In justin
cation of the good faith with which we have
approached and completed our task.
We hold that the conduct and manage
uent Of city government is a matter of
business and should be conducted on busl-
mes principles, and we pledge our nominees
Proud of our American citizenship inten-
sffed by the glorious triumphs of our arms
by land and sea, we send words OF greeung
and cheer TO the San Francisco volunteers
and their companions now defending the
honor of our flag in foreign lands.
We commend the straightforward admin
istration of Governor Budd. particularly in
reference TO this city and county. We en-
dqrse the administration of Mayor Phelan
terests, and approve the honorable conduct
of the minority of the Board OF Education
and of the Board of Supervisors, Messrs.
Dodge, Clinton and Lackmann.
Taxation.
A tax of 81 on the $780, based on an as
sessed valuation of $780, 900, 600. together with
other sources of revenue of the city, is suf-
hclent for the proper maintenance Of the
city. government. economically ana wisely
conducted, and we pledge our nominees to
this rate.
- IS Assessments.
II is notorious that small property-owners
are assessed for the full value of their
property. while the property of large cor
I5orations, particularly in the matter of
the assessments of franchises. are greatly
undervalued. for purposes of taxation. We
-bers of the Board of Supervisors sitting
a Board of Equalization, to make thorough
revision of the assessment of the city and
county. to the end that the burdens of gov
eminent may be equitably distributed; and
we further pledge them to follow the spirit
of the rule laid down by the Supreme Court
vs.. January, and determine the value OF
franchises by deducting the tangible prop
.eTty assessed from the market value of the
stock and bonds. Whereas, the Assessment
Committee of the Board OF Supervisors have
determined through their expert that the
franchises of many of the corporations of
eating not less than SIS oo0. 900. under this
rule, and that then but 60 per cent of the
market value thereof Will have been as
ieessed,. and we pledge our nominee for AS
SCISSOR and members of the Board of Super
visors, sitting a Board of Equalization,
conditions remaining the same, to increase
the assessment roll in the matter of fran
chises over and above the assessment OF this
year by at least fifteen millions Of dollars.
y Water.
The Spring Valley Water Company holds
property not necessary for supplying this
CITY and county with water, and has in
creased its Indebtedness by authorizing dur
ing the past year the issuance of 81, 000,-
800 :, of bonds. thus initiating the value of
-arCr1 ~ u <rbi oh fhax fr1ta ouf
and dividends. We pledge our nominees
for Supervisors 20 demand and compel the
Company of an iteu1ized statement OF its
construction account and operating expen-
ses as preliminary to fixing the water rate,
and then after cutting down allowance for
excessive salaries and expenses, to so fix
the rate that it will yield not more than
per Gent upon the stock of the corporation,
est on Indebtedness be paid. We pledge
OUT. nominees, in anticipation of the rati-
hcation Of the new charter by the Legisla-
.ture, Ito encourage in every possible way
the municipal ownership of a water sup
ply and lighting plant, although the actual
introduction of these great reforms should
ter has clothed our municipal authorities
with the necessary power and provided the
proper instrumentalities and safeguards
for their conduct and administration.
New Charter.
During the last two years the reform ele-
all good citizens in resisting the attempt
made by the allied political bosses of all
parties and the corporations enjoying ex-
elusive privileges in electing a board of
fifteen freeholders and subsequently in
adopting the charter which that body
drafted. We now, for the contamination of
that patriotic campaign, resulting in the
adoption of the charter, call upon the peo-
pie of the State to require of their legisla-
tive representatives to record and dispute
the voice of the people of this city unmis-
takably spoken. and we pledge in our own
behalf our legislative nominees to vote for
the ratification of the charter.
Gas and Electric Light.
We favor the adequate illumination Of the
city, giving light to the suburbs and brill
,liancy to the streets, and pledge nom
inees for Supervisors to give every facility
to corporations supplying light to compete
for the business of the city and of the citi-
granting special privileges which newt
ably result in monopoly, and so long as
light Is supplied by private corporations
there should be no discrimination In favor
of one as against the other. The rates
charged are VIGOROUSLY excessive and we
pledge our nominees to substantial re-
auction based upon the value of their in
vestment, as indicated by reference in this
platform to the water question.
We pledge our nominees for Supervisors
to require, within district to be deter
mined by them. the wires of all corporations
TO be laid under ground after reasonable
notice.
Streets and Sewers.
We pledge our, nominees for Supervisors
and Superintendent Of Streets TO improve
the streets, to maintain and keep them
clean when they are improved, and to pre-
pare specifications under which street work
may be done that will not exclude any
meritorious pavement
We demand that the sanitary condition
of the city be carefully studied and that
the sewers, be flushed and otherwise kept
clean We recommend the adoption of
some system by which salt water may be
used for, cleansing purposes. We demand
that all unused rails and tracks and un-
necessary turn tables and such other OBJ
structions 9be removed from the streets.
Health.
The preservation Of the health of the
people is the first duty Of municipal gov
eminent and we commend the efforts OF
the Board Of Health to destroy the deadly
traffic in adulterated goods. and we pledge
support to their crusade until our citizens
can have reasonable guarantees that pois--
onous and deleterious foods are excluded
from our market.