The San Francisco call., 1899-07-24
THE DUTY OF BUSINESS MEN.

IRON this time on until the polls close on cleo
ton day, it is the duty OF the business men OF
San Francisco to devote no inconslderable por-
ton OF their thoughts and their energies to politics.
Their own interests require it. The welfare OF the city
demands it
The situation is critical The officials to be elected
this fall will organize and inaugurate the MUNICIPAL
government under the charter. That government
will be largely in the way OF an experiment, tor IN
many respects it will differ widely from that which
now exists New and untried powers will be placed
in the hands OF the officials and those OF the Mayor
will be exceptionally great Under such circun-
stances it is imperative that the making of the expert
ment be intruskd to conservative honest men, who,
in addition to their honesty have the sagacity to
avoid bunders and the courage and rmnesS to resist
every pressure that may be put upon them to s"erYe
them from the path OF duty.
By what means shall the municipality be assured OF
such officials? To that question intelligence can give
but one answer. To accomplish the election OF good
men good men must go to work The business inter
ess OF the municipality will be safeguarded un-
til the business men themselves stand guard.
There is no chance for an independent movement,
even if one were desirable. The government OF the
city will be intrusted either to the Democratic party
or to the Republican party Which shall 1t be? The
business men, the property owners, the taxpayers,
decide
Two factions contend for control of the Democratic
party One is led by Rainey, the other by Buckley.
The Examiner, which but a short time ago boasted
OF having driven Raney not only out OF politics but
out Of the country fugitive to Canada, which has
caricatured his features to the brutal the most
beastly forms its artists could depict, has
tered into an alliance with him and fights his side
for supremacy in the party. The facts are notorious
and are known OF all men. A Democratic victory at
the polls will entail municipal administration either
under the domination Of Buckley or under that OF
Rainey and the Examiner
Can any business face such menace and re-
main Indifferent? Can he ignore the fact that his
private interests as property owner, as well as his
duty as citizen, require him to give heed to the
danger and to take steps to avert it?
The Republican party has already given abundant
evidence OF serving faithfully the public interests in
this campaign An attempt of few bosses to gain
advantage for themselves by providing for blanket
ticket at the primary elections defeated by the
protests OF the Republican press and OF the
rank and file of the party A arrange
ment has been made by which the primaries
will be conducted in a manner that is fair
to all Vigilance, however, will be required to
prevent illegal voting. Evidence has already been
disclosed OF attempts cOlonze illegal voters in the
Twenty y-eighth and Twenty Assembly districts.
The forces OF corruption, it will be have been
bafled but not beaten. The fight must be oontin-
red until the polls close.
The issue is with the business Of the city,
II they will now organize for the contest
they can assure the election OF good men
to the county convention. That in turn will
bring about the nomination OF strong ticket and
a strong county committee. The result will be vic
tory at the polls and business administration under
the new charter. The outlook is promising, provided
the taxpayers will shake off their indifference and
attend to their political duties Corruption and dema
Gogy will not triumph if honesty and intelligence
are resolute to combat them.