The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-03
VOTERS IN
THE ANNEX
QUITE SAFE
Dow Wins the Suit
for the City.
WILL INFLUENCE POLITICS
AUDITOR SHOWS STAND ON
WATER PLANTS.
WILL INFLUENCE POLITICS
AUDITOR SHOWS STAND ON
WATER PLANTS.
Many Campaign Meetings Held and
Others Are Planned-Much
Quiet Work Being
- Done.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call.

90S Broadway, March 2.
The 1900 voters IN the annexed district
have no longer any doubt as to their mu-
nicipaI standing, for the Supreme Court
handed down an opinion to-day declaring
that the annexed territory is legally a
part of Oakland
The main point Of contention was a
technical one, based on the apparent il
legality of Incorporating outlying terri
tory which was already divided into in
corporated sanitary districts. The Su-
preme Court reviewed the matter at some
length and dlsposes of all the objections.
1t was supposed from the first that the
annexation project having obtained the
necessary two-thirds vote, would be sus-
tanned by the court on the general prin-
ciple that courts are always retlcent
about upsetting the expressed will of the
people. The case was brought by Thomas
Cuff, who appealed from the decision of
the Superior Court affirming the anneXa-
ton. City Attorney Dow conducted the
case for the city.
The political complexion of this new
territory will be tested on the 18th of this
month for the first time in municipal
election The district is claimed by both
parties, and If public opinion in the an
mex is of the same variety and as change
able as that of Oakland it would be hard
to guess which side has majority.
The sorrow that has come to the home
of Mr.. Snow cannot help but have
marked effect on the political campaign
that it was understood between him and
Mr. Snow that this campaign should not
be one of vilification, and now that Mr..
Snow is perforce removed from the plat
form 1t is apparent that decency should
prevail and that little more real cam
paigning can be done
Mr.. Snow, prior to the death of his wife,
had prepared a speech which he intended
to use through the campaign This
speech has been given out for publica-
ton and shows very clearly how the Re
publican standard bearer stands on pub
lie questions Regarding the important
question of Oakland's water supply, Mr..
Snow says:
% Meanwhile the fixing of water rates is 8
g the annual duty of the Council. This @
9 after year the regulations of city officers g
a that the supreme Court of this State has o
g fit TO hand down decision to the (.
o. effect that, regardless of the actual @
g worth of a water plant, the Common o
@ Council shall fix rates for water that %
@ shall return to the owners an income up @
o the amount invested The construc- 9
{. ton of plants and their absorp- (.
@ ton by the original company goes on. g
o Millions pile upon millions until rate @
@ payers stagger under the burden. The %
9 Supreme Court must be given an Oppor- 81
@ tunity to modify it's opinion or reverse g
@ itself. Water rates should not be fixed O.
(. by the government of this city to %
8 turn one dollar more than fair income o
o upon investment sufficient to provide @
6, water. This is my proposition upon the o
@ water rate question 1t is time to elect @
@ government in Oakland that will look o
8 after the interest of the rate payer. The {.
@ water companies are able to look after g,
% themselves, ana Iney may always ap- @
o peal to the courts, while water rate 81
8 payer has no standing there. I believe @
. the whole State is coming to realize at 6,
o. last the necessity for the conservation of g.
@ wasted mountain water. An organization g
o of the cities and towns around the bay g
% of San Francisco for this purpose will @
$ help to bring relief to the burdened rate o
o payer And I have it in mind to urge @
@ such organization. @
This evening the Republicans held
mass meeting at Montana Hall in West
Oakland which was well attended. The
Third Ward Republican Club has decided
to do active personal work for the en-
tire ticket in that ward. They held their