The San Francisco call., 1898-12-12
Should Be Learned at
 This Time.
ST0DDARD'S OPEN REBUKE
AsSEMBLYMAN KELLYIS AFTER
 OFFICIAL BEATS.
Christian Science Has Become Fad. Why the Oakland Exposition Proved a Financial
 Failure.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call

sos Broadway, Dec. Il.
 A majority of the people of this city did a lot of thinking last April That was after the water rate scandals. IT those same taxpayers are wise they will do their thinking as soon after Christmas as possible. This will be before the new Council shall have been elected. The same crowd that fixed the rates last year will have one more opportunity to add to their records, for the new water rates must be fixed in February and the Coun- ell does not retire until March. Already there are premonitions of danger, and the hand of the water company combination is seen. The combine always seeks to ac- complish its purpose by the most popular method. If there be a demand for re- form ticket the combine will see to It that the people get a reform ticket; 1T primaries be favored, the combine will favor primaries; if delegation of ap- pointed delegates be the fad of the hour or if party lines be declared the proper thing. the water companies fall in line and ultimately capture the works.
 This time the manipulators for the combine are in doubt. One prominent Republican club has declared for I ap- Is in the field and will put up city ticket and the stalwart Republicans demand primary. The combine will want which ever method is most popular, because 1t is a shrewd politician. But Oaklanders have on rare occasions shown wisdom, and certainly there is demand for 1t at this time. Now Is the time to revive the lessons of those eXhi- bitiOns of collar-wearing of last March Now is the time to recall the spectacle of the adoption by the solid six of the Henneberry and the Woodward ordi- nances and the ignoring of the report of the committee which had gone over all the testimony. Nor must the spectacle of that memorable night be forgotten when all the water company's magnates braZenly sat in the seats immediately be- hind the rail to see that the majority of the Council performed the business for which they were elected. Now is the time to recollect that the men who acted on behalf of the people they represented and Upton. Of the corporation votes, the less said the better.
 Assemblyman Kelly made little speech at the meeting of merchants few nights ago that was altogether too short The propriety of passing an act of the Legis- lature making it possible to attach the salaries of public officials was the sub- 1ect under discussion MT. Kelly favored its passage, and for this reason: 'I am in business myself. and I know the trouble l have with some of the city officials You just can't collect from some of them" As MT. Kelly is a laundry pro- prietor the question arises Who among the honorable Councilmen and Board of Public Works do not pay for their wash ing?
 Thomas c. Stoddard, the defeated Dem ocrauc candidate for County Clerk, has startled his many friends and incidentally displeased the fusion organ that helped to carry him down to defeat with its SUD- port. For a month after the election statements were published that County Clerk JOrdanS election had been accom- pltshed by fraud and that a recount would undoubtedly show that MT. Stoddard was entitled to the office. This statement stamped its authors as prevaricators, be- cause previously they had stated that the Union Campaign Committee had so enveloped the county and especially the Republican part of it. with such an air the polls was impossible. This, however, is trifie to those who are accustomed to attempt to fly in the face of truth.
 Now comes MT. Stoddard evidently a gentleman and a respecter of truth. He thinks 1t high time to rebuke those who have undertaken to lie for him. Over his signature he congratulates his sue cessful opponent and says that Frank Jordan was fairly and honorably elect ed MT. Stoddard is good enough to be a Republican "Unionism" Is evidently not his political faith.
 The latest fad in Oakland is Christian science. The devotees of this particular form of hygienic neglect are no longer those who we generally denomnated 'cranks." It has invaded the homes of the intelligent and is growing rapidly There are three times as many Christian Scientists in Oakland to-day than there were year ago. The Home of Truth no longer represents the belief of few, but is patronlzed by many families who are supposed to be as level-headed as they are wealthy. Quite recently the son of a social leader was dying on Jackson street while being mistreated by Chris tian Science. When death was near the fear of notoriety alone induced the in- fatuated mother to admit a practical practitioner, who saved the lads life. While there is no law against suicide in California. craze that tends to murder certainly demands public attention.
 The exposition has passed and it has not been a financial success. Neither was 1t a success as an exposition, compared with former years, not being half as well pa tronized and there not being near %efv GaevhaI appaTent GI the that ex9ots 6aka6d is to have an annual exhibition there must be a change. The first exposition have left a deficit. Much of the i'll suc- cess of the last exposition was due to bad management. but that is not the se- cret of the marked falling off in exhibits and interest. The exposition organization is a private corporation. and there is a feeling that there should be a recognized public support behind it, that 1t should be an Oakland affair and not a private ven sure. The promoters have made a splen- did start and deserve much credit. but 1t is evident that present methods have out lived their alili-.- 15 produce success.
 John A. Britton is an unfortunate man. He cannot be Mayor of Oakland unless he goes out of business. Two years ago ne was elected a School Director by a tre- mendous vote and was forced to resign because he is an officer in a corporation that does business with the city He could not as Mayor, or as any city official hold office because he is @ member of a gas company, and the city burns gas. While there is doubtless much to com mend in the law. in this instance it cer- tainIy works a hardship, for Oakland has already testified at the polls to it's con fidence in MT. Britton, and he could un- dorbtedly be elected if again nominat ted However it is a greater honor to have worked ones way up from a fireman how to the general management of a big corporation, enjoying the confidence and goodwill of the public. than to be Mayor Sf Oakland STUART ". BOOTH
 
 1-.