The San Francisco call., 1898-04-09
PREPARING A HoLDuP UNDER THE MASK OF REsPECTABILITY

Riehl, Maurice O'Brien and Edmond Cooper for Councilmen.
 Not less important for the people to consider than any of the other offices mentioned is the membership of the appointing board. If the Mayor, the Council, the Clerk and the Treasurer control in a greater or less degree the patronage, as far as the business of the city is concerned, the appointing board will control the patronage as far as 1t applies to persons. Nearly every ap- pointment to a position in the service of the city will be more or less con- trolled by the members of the appoint ing board. It is for this reason that the gang" has bent every effort to get at least a majority of the members of this board.
 If the people of San Jose want a fire and police force made up of capable and efficient men, selected because of their qualifications, and not solely because of their relationship to or friendship with the appointing power or because of their pull with the gang; if they want to put stop to Scandalous re- ports of positions having been pur- chased on the police force; if they want to put stop to politics being done in the public schools; if they want to de- pose Johnnie Mackenzie as an honorary member of the Board of Education, with his power of appointment greater than all the regular members com bined; if a qualification for the position of school teacher is to be in all cases competency and fitness and not money or 'pull"; if Jim" Req is to be de- prived of the means with which to full fill any of his political promises and his power for evil is to be effectually broken, the people must vote for the following men as members of the ap- pointing board: Charles H. Allen, Lawrence Archer, John E. Auzerais, T. Ellard Beans. A. B. Hunter, J. R. Lewis, Michael Kenny, William G. Alexander Luis Arques, Calvin H. Bailey, J. H. Campbell, .r>hn J. Son. theimer, Thomas J. Riley, D. c. Vestal.
 Political comment was largely taken up to-day with the bold assertion by o. O. Felkner that he had been informed by a reliable person that one of the male schoolteacherS of San Jose was paying SIP 50 a month as an assessment for the retention of his position. With this broad statement as basis the question Is asked Why does not the Board of Education, which was so quick to offer a reward of $500 the other day for information that would lead to the discovery of bribery in the school department, take to inveStigat- ing instead of wagering?
 If the Board of Education of San Jose IS really sincere Tn US desire to discover and punish corruption in the depart ment under it's jurisdiction, it should, it is claimed, take example from the Board of Education of Los Angeles. Let immunity from punishment be promised the schoolteacher who has de- clared that he was held up" and let him also be assured of being retained in his position if he will make known the name of the person or persons re- sponsible for this piece of corruption. Let Req and MackenZie's Board Of Education institute sweeping 1nVeS- tigation. It has the power to subpoena and swear witnesses. In order that the atmosphere shall be entirely cleared of the reports of corruption every teacher and employe of the School Department should be called before the board in public session and examined as to any attempt made by any person 70 extort blood money from them. Unless this is done by the Board of Education that body will be viewed with suspicion hy every decent, respectable man and wo- man.
 The public accusation made by MT. Felkner is of too serious a nature to be put over as a mere campaign report. The people are now demanding that the probe of truth and honesty be applied, that corruption, if any exists, be dis covered and the corruptionists pun ished. srSA
 Such a condition as is indicated by the public stand of MT. Felkner would not be possible were San Jose not bound in political slavery by Boss Req and his disreputable gang" With the success of the New Charter Club ticket on Monday next will come an end to such scandals as this and all others of a