The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-16
The BOARD OF HEALTH.

THE degradation OF local politics. through the in
fuence OF Dan Burns and w F. Herrin is
well illustrated by the temporary deadlock in the
Board OF Health over the choice OF secretary.
Tested by the low boss standard, but for the fact
OF its existence the candidacy of Leon Dennery would
be uncomfortable How the Burns-H errn lash, or
djuary swung and cracked under the dictation OF
the railroad monopoly, should be tolerated even for
moment by the gentlemen who compose the Board Of
Health particularly when is raised to drive Leon
Dennery into their camp IS beyond ordinary compre-
benson.
These gentlemen to whatever influences they may
owe their selection are nevertheless of fair probes
sona and social standing 1t is hardly possible that
they their personal political friends can have
Justly estimated the position they would occupy
toward the community they yielded the pressure
cf Dan Burns and Herrin and elected a man OF no
torousy infamous character and habits to the Office
al their secretary. 1t is not too much to say that
there is scarcely respectable family in San Fran
cisco by whom Leon Denncry would be recognized,
and that the mere fact that Dan Burns and Herrin
propose to pay infamous price for corrupt egisla
tive services by forcing him into a responsible posi-
ton is a d1mning CHARACTERIZATION OF the railroad
candidate for Federal Senatorship There are,
however. degrees even in vicousness, and Leon Den
merry would the stomach OF every municipal boss
&c have had-except Dan Burns.
The Call appeals to the members OF the Board OF
Health. collectively and individually, to spurn this in
tclerable assault upon their manhood DR.. Barbat
Is the physician OF Dan Burns and doubtless his
appointment to that fact But the evidence is that he
is a great deal better than his patient. DR. Payne was
the choice OF Major Mclaughlin, chairman OF the Re
publican State Central Committee. DR.. Keeney is a
relative of William Alvord president OF the Bank of
California and OF the Police Commission, a gentle
man who for many years has been identified with the
solid financial interests and with the best society OF
San Francisco. Dr. Cofey is the surgeon to the
Market Street Railway Company, and, although the
particular choice of William F. Herrin, has been de-
scryedy esteemed for his professional and social
merits Is there any one of these gentlemen who
would voluntarily take Leon Dennery by the hand or
permit him even to stand where he could be by
members OF his own family? This is fair test. No
moral pariah whose conduct has been indescrib-
able that it has necessarily escaped newspaper pub
icity and whose mere presence in respectable home
would be uncomfortable. should even have been men
toned as a candidate for an official position, and.
when impudently obruded the door should have been
banged in his face without hesitation and without de
Law Scorn and contempt are the only words that
fairly express the manner in which this demand of
Dan Burns and w. F. Herrin. at any rate, should
have been received
The attitude OF the Board of Health at the best has
been bad enough In the public mind it represents
the railroad despotsm administered in State ap-
pointments by Dan Burns Herrin and Governor
Gage. Its independence has been handicapped by
the sources from which it emanated. It's appoint
mens already made great degree have ignored the
tests which should be and under civil service rules
would be applied to State and municipal employees.
There is every indication that in changes yet to be
made in institutions from which political influence
should be completely withdrawn, the public interests
will be officially disregarded.
All these evidences of political degeneracy hui
initiating. But the selection of Leon Dennery, es-
pecialy after the preliminary strategy appar-
ent, would be "the last straw that would break the
camels back" The patience of the people is not abb
solutely unlimited