The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-30
ATTEMPTING TO
HIDE THE SPOTS
OF A LEOPARD
Water Combine Said
to Be Inactive.
THE LATEST POLITICAL JOKE
is OAKLAND AN ASYLUM FOR
LUNATICsP
Many Interesting side-Lights Are
Throwing Their Rays OF he
Approaching Elec-
ton.
THE LATEST POLITICAL JOKE
is OAKLAND AN ASYLUM FOR
LUNATICsP
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,

Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
90S Broadway, Jan. 29.
Oakland can always be depended upon
TO act queerly at a municipal election,
and II is very evident that this year is to
be no exception. Judging by some Of the
men with official records. who are again
declaring they would like a term of Of
fee. one might suppose that such can
didates consider Oakland as being one
large lunatic asylum. Nor would such
conclusion be altogether unwarranted.
In the past men known to be opposed to
public interests and personal rights have
been elected several times to succeed
themselves, and just now an attempt is
being made TO repeat the trick. 1t re-
mains for the voters to declare their COM
potency or non-competency by electing or
repudiating such candidates.
The suggestion is being insidiously
whispered about all over the city that the
water companies are not taking any hand
in this campaign. 1t is referred to as
remarkable fact that the combine is do
ing nothing politically and is evidently
content to let matters take their course.
Just why these rumorS should be so in
dustriously circulated and in Such a man
ner as to appear to possess the imprint
OF truth can hardly deceive an intelligent
voter. 1t might deceive few individuals
who see in the water companies a means
of purifying politics, but none other.
If ANYTHING can be more absurd and
more insulting to an intelligent citizen
than the suggestion that the water COM
panies are not interested in a political
campaign, / would like to know what it
is Oakland has developed all kinds of
freaks and freakishness, but has never
yet sent forth such an insane idea that
two-or one-powerful corporations are
not interested in their income. 10 place
credence in such suggestions is to believe
that the corporations do not care whether
water rates are 20 cents or as many dol
lars. OF course, the water companies are
in politics. and the fact that they are not
working openly on the streets or shout
ing from hOusetops is the best proof pos
sible that they are gradually extending
their tentacles under the surface and do
ing everything possible to elect a Council
that will do their bidding as faithfully as
did the six men last spring.
Comment has often been made on the
fact that in addition to the seven Coun-
cilmen, one from each ward, there should
be four Councilmen at large, provided for
by the city charter. The four extra mem
bers cannot be apportioned evenly among
seven wards, and therefore the favored
wards have always been able by starting
out with two votes, to obtain an ad-
There can be no doubt that it was not an
accident that the charter provides for
these four extra Councilmen.
A glance at Oakland's organic law re-
Veals two facts, the significance of which
is not sufficiently appreciated. One is that
the Mayor possesses the power of vetoing
all ordinances passed by the Council. the
other is that eight out of the eleven votes
are necessary to pass measure over the
Mayors veto. Thus it can be seen at a
glance that an agreeable Mayor and four
agreeable Councilmen control the, situa-
ton, and that any interest has only to in
sure the election of the Mayor and four
Councilman to snap its hnSer at the re-
naming seven COuncilmen. Therefore, su-
preme efforts are always made by those
who would control government for selfish
purposes to center their strength upon the
Mayor and the Councilmen at larse-aInld
in one way or other they have generally
succeeded.
Two years ago they succeeded in cap
turing three of the wards and these three,
with their two Councilmen at large and
Colonel Woodward. given to them by APP
pointment of Mayor Thomas, made the
"solid six
At this time it is well for people who do
not approve Of paying fair rate for
water and an equal amount to the compa-
MES for influencing legislation, to bear
possible for any of the six Councilman to
be reelected, nor do l believe it possible
for the four of the other five who are
seeking reelection TO be defeated. In
either instance the disgrace to the city
would be perfect.
Altogether too much has been said
about Rev. DIR. Coyle's signature being on
Councilman Woodwards petition. The in
cident possesses no significance, and If 1t
was exploited by Woodward for the pur-
pose of drawing votes toward him It has
proved a positive boomerang. 1t has
caused DR.. Coyle to state positively that
he will not vote for Woodward and that
Woodward is aware OF IT. DR.. Coyle act
ed in my judgment in a very straightfor-
ward manner Woodward has a perfect
right to get on the ballot, and this right
Of citizenship cannot be taken away from
him by any political party. NO doubt on
his petition there are Democrats, Republic
cans and others and the names possess no
significance except as each represents one
of the number necessary to enable him to
place himself in nomination.
1t is perhaps better that Woodward
should go before the people on MS merits.
II the Fifth Ward should re-elect him its
residents would be honorably compelled TO
consider themselves as bodygu3rds to any
Councilman whom in the future Ii might
be necessary to escort home to protect
him from outraged citizens. Any resi-
dent in the Fifth Ward should be eager to
have Mr.. Woodward's name go before
the people for municipal honors. for 1t is
undoubtedly the best manner poSSi -" in
which Mr.. Woodward can be assured
that his Judgment as Councilman in
certain matters is not favorable with his
constituents.
It would be n pretty safe speculation to
support FELTON, Taylor for a winner in the
race with Major Woodward.
Overzealousness is not commendable in
legislation. This is realized now by those
gentlemen who handled the county gov
eminent bill at Sacramento two years
ago. A wave of economy which, like al
other good things, comes along period
ically, pervaded the lawmakers, and Ala
media County was left in an unenviable
position as regards her county officers
From being remunerated much too hand
somely they were cut down to compare
lively moderate salaries. The pruning
however. did not end with the principals
The legislators undertook to arrange for
the help of each office. In some instances
they were generous. in others niggardly
Now those who were generously treated
are satisfied; the others are hoping for ar
amendment, but so far have not met with
much encouragement. This is not right
The county departments in Alameda are
as a rule. well managed, and the public
has no right to complain. The argument
is being made at Sacramento that il
would be unconstitutional to increase the
salary of an official while in Office This
is trne But 1t is making no increase tc
the salary of an official to provide him
with enough deputies to do the work OF
his office. Under the old plan of making
lump appropriation for the office. no ad
dition could be made during the term, bu