The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
The New Charter Said
 to Have That Object.
SENTIMENT OF ARTISANS
A MASS MEETING IS HELD AT
 SCOTTISH HALL.
The Workingmen Are Addressed by Ex-Attorney General Hart, Attorney Schooler and
 Colonel Roberts.

One of the greatest public denounce- ments that have thus far been hurled against the adoption of the proposed charter by public opinion was the mass meeting held last evening at Scottish Hall by two bodies of combined working men of the city, led by several able speakers and close students of the document that will be launched for public approval or condemnation next Thursday.
 The fundamental object of holding a meeting of this character was to draw in one universal body representatives from different sections of the city, who, as a whole would discuss the glaring defects in the charter and use and disseminate their influence against the institution of an arbitrary one-man power in this mu- nicipality. Already there are two sec tions of the city represented-North Beach and that section lying in and around Haight street in the vicinity of the park-and at the conclusion of the meeting last evening representatives of the central portion of the city enrolled themselves in the general army of oppo- sition against the instrument that will de- prive them of their individual rights and invest the Mayor of the city and his min ions with absolute and arbitrary prerog- atives to govern the masses as they see fit to the exclusion of public approval or opposition.
 Before the final day dawns that will de- eide whether San Francisco is to be a free and self governing community, or an absolute miniature monarchy for Phelan and his 100 associates, an organization Of laboring men will be effected which, in its strength, alone. will be sufficient to destroy all hope of the adoption of the charter, as Attorney Schooler In review ing the instrument last evening re- marked.
 Among the prominent speakers who aided MT. Schooler in placing before the people the true nature of the charter, and pointed out the various equivocations, which mean usurpation and tyranny, were eX-Attorney-General Hart and Colonel Roberts.
 Among the various resolutions adopted the two following were the most impor- tant:
 Whereas. The advocates and framers of the proposed new charter claim for it many anti corporation proclivities and tendencies, still section 21 of article II effectually prevents any and all future competition against our pres ent light and watetr systems thereby making
 Whereas, Great stress is by them laid upon section 24 of chapter II, which, speaking of fix the hours of labor service required of all laborers in the service of the city and that eight hours shall be the maximum hours of labor in any calendar day and the mini mum wages of laborers shall be S2 day, they well knowing that the laborers opportunity to benefit by that section Is very small. owing public works authorized by the Board of Supervisors to be done under the supervision Of the Board Of Public Works shall. unless otherwise determined by the Board of Public Works. be done under written contract; and
 Whereas. Neither said section nor any other section in the charter determines what shall be the minimum wages what hours shall constitute days labor for the contractor, and
 Whereas. The contract system has been and still is the of labor and the of great annoyance and expense to small prop erty owners therefore, be 1t
 Resolved That denounce the proposed new charter as a snare and fraud. framed without any intention or desire of benefiting the poor laborng man. but for the sole purpose of increasing the emoluments and power of the few; and be it further
 Resolved That we pledge ourselves to use every honest endeavor to accomplish It's de- feat at the coming election.
 Upon unanimous recommendation and approval the temporary chairman, Tim othy Sullivan, and Secretary Noon were elected as permanent officers of the new organization to serve as such during the entire campaign.