The San Francisco call., 1898-02-06
AN OFFICIAL. COMEDY.

| HE Investigation undertaken by the Finance
 Committee of the Board of Supervisors Fri
 day into the charge of attempted blackma brought against Captain Delany throws completely into the shade the funniest farce-comedy ever put upon the stage in San Francisco If the thing had plot its opera boue features would commend 1t to the immortal Gilbert. If there were any sense in it Hoyt would pay heavy royalty for the privilege o putting the irresponsible "Cappun' before the foot
 lights No wonder the disabilities of the town have been irrtated at the spectacle The investigation is enough to excite the humor of a horse.
 In the first place, the Committee on Health and Police consists of Delany, Rivers Haskins, Devany and Rottanzi. This committee has charge of the pub
 lie pound, and it is supposed that in making his pro- position to the representative of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Captain Delany spoke for his colleagues well for himself. In deed, 1t IS alleged that in the prize ring permit mat ter Haskins did speak for the committee. If there IS any truth in the charges 1t IS sate to say that the members of the Commit tee on Health and Police have understand ing to percentages. The Finance Committee, which attempted to Investigate" the matter, consists of Rottanzi, Devany and Haskns Here then are two Supervisors at least who belong to the pound com bne sitting in judgment upon the action of the chair of the combine.
 put as II tlnS were not Suf1C1enty lduSlidoio, line of inquiry developed on Friday calculated to produce an explosion The Finance Committee apparently did not consider Delany trial at all. It at assaulted Wadham, the complaining wit ness, and permitted Deany to prove in detail that he is liar, backguard an associate of criminals and generally person of wretched character Xvi denty the committee assumed that Wadham had been charged with attempting to extort $500 from Deany. All 1t asked of the latter general de- nia Under the circumstances it is somewhat strange that did not report Wadham to the Grand Jury tor indictment Surely his offense of rehecting upon the integrity of the angelic Delany is than heinous. One point, however the committee seems to have overlooked. Captain Delany testified that he talked with Wadham about the amount of money the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has in its treasury Delany heard the amount was $IS,ooo and he says he innocenty asked Wadham about it. But he said nothing regarding $500 fee for giving the pound the society. To the average man it will ap pear somewhat strange that the Supervisor should be so deeply interested in the financial standing of the society. In any event, record which contains this admission by the captain looks bad The Finance Committee should expunge the testimony the ground that it IS incompetent irrelevant and mna- terial Doubtless on reflection Deany will consider that he should not have said it. as thar is good son for striking 1t out
 For the 1t Is sufficient to say that the next time the committee it should hire orchestra and open at one of the theaters It is shame that SO much fun should be confined to so small audience as met with the committee Friday.