The San Francisco call., 1898-10-19
THE MAYOR AS HE IS
 AND AS HE APPEARS


 way clear to answer and thus set at rest grave suspicion that may result In the loss to him of many of the votes he Is so industriously seeking. It will be remembered that the Mayor vetoed the gas rate as fixed by the Board of Supervisors. Possibly he was justified in so doing, as 1t is not recorded that corporation like the gas company has ever done less than rob the city in the matter of rates. But this fact does not answer the query, which Is, in brief: Was not the Mayors act in vetoing the gas rate influenced by the fact that he Is large holder of stock in a rival gas company that would be greatly benefited If paid a subsidy and given the contract of lighting the city's streets and public buildings?" The ways of Providence and "hefting" Mayors are inscrutable.
 Many persons have watched, with varying degrees of interest, Mir. Phe- lan's efforts to make capital out of his action in ordering the removal of the horSe-car tracks on Market street and, incidentally, the subsequent paving of that thoroughfare. To those who are acquainted with the facts the compla- cency with which the Mayor has ab- sorbed the compliments that a subsi- dized press has showered upon him in connection with this matter, as well as the manner in which he has arrogated to himself all the credit that attached to the action, has been instructive. It shows the man in a different light from that in which, without doubt, he views himself and his actions, and in which he wishes the public to see him.
 The facts are these: Some time be- fore the removal of the tracks was ac- cOmpliShed Governor Budd sat at lunch with a party of friends at a downtown club. One of these friends was a we'll known attorney who, by the way, Is also very prominent Republican. During the course of the round-the- table talk the subject of street railways was introduced The attorney, who is a recognized authority on matters per taintng to street railways, stated that he had recently made an exhaustive study of the point and had ascertained that there was no law to warrant the maintenance of four car tracks on Mar ket street by the Market Street Rail- way Company A few days later Gov ernor Budd called on the managing editor of the Examiner and detailed the conversation just referred to. Here is a chance for you to make some political capital" said the Governor. 'Phelan Is your man and you can advise him to tear up those tracks and he will get the credit for 1t. Send down to Judge Bridgford and get an opinion from him. If the opinion corresponds with what l nave told you turn Phelan loose and he will get the credit"
 E. A. Bridgford represented Colusa County in the last Assembly, but Is now a member of the Committee of One Hundred. He was called into con- sultation and after studying the law on the subject rendered an opinion in ac- cordance with what Governor Budd had been told by his friend at the club. Phelan was then taken into the con- f16PncR Inf his and told pO ahead and win glory and the undying gratitude of an appreciative public. Such is a true statement of how the Mayor lays awake nights studying out plans for the betterment of the masses.
 It may also be stated in passing that the tearing up of the tracks and the subsequent paving of the street added materially to the value of Phelan's property on Market street.
 Like all true tales there is a sequel attached to Mir. Phelan's act in clearing Market street of the horse-car tracks. The tracks having been disposed of the question Of repaving the street was next in order. Bitumen was the kind of pavement selected for doing the work It Is here that query No. ? comes In. It has been propounded by many curl ous people who have, during the past three weeks, watched the laying of the block pavement in front of Mr. Phe- lan's premises on Market street. These curious people want to know what in- ducement was offered by the proprie- tors of the block pavement company to enable them to secure the use of sev- eral hundred feet of the principal thoroughfare of the city for the pur- pose of setting up a sample of the goods they have for sale. It would be as in teresting to know if the Mayor owns stock in the block pavement company as 1t would be to know if his official acts have been unconsciously influenced by the fact that he holds stock in an opposition gas company.
 The spirit of inquiry is in the air. The Democratic voters of San Fran cisco have been debarred from having any voice In the selection of their can didates for office on the ground that they are unworthy of such trust. This being so 1t is not without reason that these same voters should make inquiry as to the purity of the man who has impugned their honesty and good inten- tions. Up to the present time the in quiry has not developed anything to the credit of the man who has consti- tuteo himself the Democratic party of San Francisco