The San Francisco call., 1899-09-10
PROBABLE INTIMIDATION.
Suspicious Lack Of Interest at
San MateO.

SAN MATEO, Sept s-The nearer
CoIma is approached the stronger are the
evidences of the desperate fight that
Buckley and the booksellers are putting
up to carry their point Half dozen
merchants here were interviewed this
afternoon concerning the Colna incorpor
alton scheme. Not one of them would
express decided opinion. Not one would
say that he approved the turning OF
Gonna into a resort for outcasts and for
pIundering the young and the unsophis-
ticated; still not one of the number men
toned would commit himself in any way.
Has intimidation a this end or the county
been used as weapon, WnlIe secrecy was
relied upon TO keep the other end OF the
county conveniently quiet until the
gamblers could hold up the Supervisors
But there are outspoken men here who
dare to say what they think, many OF
them. There is this significant difference
in the attitude OF the people Iar from anu
near CoIma. The voters Of the southern
end of the county make some OF their
responses on the hypothetical basis. Here
every one knows what Is intended, ana
have no question that the falling down
OF the Board OF Supervisors, If they act
against public good when the time comes
for action, will int1ict great and lasting
injury The history of Incorporated towns
shows that diSincorporation is almost un-
known. II the gamblers once get Colma
incorporated they will never release II
from their deadly grip. therefore, tne
proposed injury will be permanent, and
the Supervisors must make up their
minds 10 that understanding fully.
Rev. Father Callahan of the Catholic
church was interviewed briefly. He left
no room to doubt where he stands: He
said that gambling is such an eVu ana
is so injurious TO the morals OF COM
munity that all good citizens must oppose
it
Rev. Mr.. Cowie pastor OF the Episcopal
church. said that the control OF Gonna
by gamblers would open UP new opportu-
mites for the depraved and vicious. Any
measure should be adopted that viii pre-
vent that. He saw the possibility or col
onizing Colma with outsiders, so that the
real viii of the property owners ana cltl-
zens of the locality could easily be set
aside If a public meeting should De
called he would be willing 10 address II,
II his other engagements VIII permit, ana
would sign q petition addressed to the
Supervisors if il was necessary TO pettlon
the board. The people OF his church Would,
he was sure, sign any necessary protest
or petition ,,,
speaking I have no doubt that the IN
crease Of gambling is against the best in
terests of the people. II Colma IS lncor-
pOrated solely 10 promote gambling 1t VIII
be bad thing: So far as my say goes l
Rev. George Wallace, an Episcopal cler-
gyman, spoke in the same general way as
Rev. Mr. Cowie. He is willing 10 sign a
petition 10 the Supervisors
The real fact now is that the gamblers
Supervisors. They dread the moral force
OF 4 protest signed by the voters OF All
the districts represented by the SuperVIs-
Ors For that reason they are circulating
a story that they have nothing 70 90 with
the COlna incorporation job That story
fs roo thin for any one TO credit who
knows any Of the facts, but 1t may impose
on q few.