The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-15

" HERE is perhaps in the State no
more unhappy political family
than the newly elected Board Of
Health. The members are d.
vlded against each other; they
are wincing under the lash OF Burns;
they are menaced by the dangerous
threats Of the enemies of the Mexican,
and they are oppressed by demands
against which their decency and self
respect have risen in rebellion. The
election of secretary to the board is still
the center Of war, although around it
revolve many minor issues and contro-
versies. Dan Burns insists that Leon
Dennery shall he elected secretary. This
demand is nothing more nor less than
an insult TO the members Of the new
board. While they have agreed to sub
NIT TO the intolerant domination of
Burns they naturally ask the privilege
of retaining their decency.
Their friends have united with them
10 protest against the outrage of Sc
lecting such man as Dennery as sec
rotary. DR.. Barbat owes his election
directly to Burns, as he is the family
physician of the Mexican. Dr.. Barbat
viii naturally obey the instructions of
should not be submitted to the indig-
nifty Of associating the name of Den
merry with his own. DR.. Payne admits
that he is indebted to Major Frank
Mclaughlin for his position. but the
friends Of Dr. Payne insist that he
should not be forced to vote for man
whose reputation is such that even Nc
LaUghlin would not dare discuss it
among decent men.
DR.. Keeney is a member of the new
board by virtue of his relationship to
William Alvord, and the we'll wishers
of DIT. Keeney insist that ne has the
right to exclude from his official house
hold a man whose name would be a
proclamation in his home. 1t was by the
command Of William F. Herrin that DR.
COffey became a member of the Board
Of Health, but Notwithstanding this
fact the young physician still retains
a reputation worth losing. His friends
declare that he should not be forced,
in the service Of a political highway
man, to jeopardize his future by link
ing his present with man whose char
acter is such as to shock even the loaf
ers of the tenderloin. But DR.. Coffey
is a programmer," and it is accepted
as a foregone conclusion that he will
vote for Dennery.
But protests and pleadings have been
without purpose. Dan Burns demands
the election Of his valet, friend. asso-
Ciate and confldant, Leon Dennery, For
fear that Dennery's candidacy will
jeopardize other valuable patronage
Burns has resorted to q clever subter-
fuge While he wishes TO provide for
Dennery and remove one more parasite
from himself and clutch it upon the
city. he wants also 10 take care OF other
political retainers. Some favorite, for
example, has been selected to succeed
Reddy as superintendent of the Aims
house. Some favorite must be ensconced
in the City and County Hospital as resi-
dent physician Neither place can be
given until four members Of the board
vote TO remove the ircumbents. Under
q legislative enactment it requires four
votes to remove the health officer. SUI
perintendent Of the Almshouse and res
ident physician Of the City and County
Hospital
The rebellion in the Board of Health
indicates very clearly 10 Burns that he
is likely 10 be a vote or two shy on
these propositions. He does not wish
therefore 10 antagOnize the members to
the point Of uncompromising resistance
and he has determined to secure the
election Of the officers indicated before
the problem Of secretaryship is again
discussed. After the superintendent of