The San Francisco call., 1899-10-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
AN OPEN LETTER.
San Francisco,

San Francisco, Oct "a, 1899.
To the Chairman, to the Secretary ana
TO the Members Of the Citizens hepuD-
Believe me, gentlemen. I thank you SIN
cerely for the recognition and morse
ment I have received at your hahos IN
nominating me as a candidate tQr re-
election to the Office of Police Judge OF
the city and county Of san FrapciSco.
teel no tritiing qualification at Ihe honor
you have conferred upon me, ana assure
you that I feel most grateful to you ana
each and every one OF you at the hlnu
and liberal manner in Which l nave peen
treated at your hands. one year ago you
honored me in the same manner, ana WIN
your assistance and cooperation nad
the honor of being elected Judge OF TINS
great city. At that time, gentlemen, L
promised YOU and the people OF this city
that if elected l would lnaugurate the
following reforms: F1rst-Ihdt Would
not permit children to be incarcerated ana
put in the dock with criminals. second
That / would not suffer working men, me-
chanics or reputable citizens 10 be placed
in the criminal dock when charged with
trivial offenses, as it is wrong in princi-
pie and wrong in law. Third-That
would not issue or sustain search war
rants against merchants, hotel or lodg-
ing house keepers, as the issuance Of
by law. Fourth-That l would protect the
orphan, the poor and the oppressed.
Flfth-That l would protect all property
rights. SiXth-That no mans nationality
belief or condition in life would inter
fere with the just and lawful administra-
ton OF justice in my court.
Now, gentlemen, l feel proud to say
that since my incumbency in office no boy
or woman has been placed in the dock
with VagabOnds or thieves, or otherwise;
and as presiding Judge of the Police
Court, I have ordered that all boys ar
rested for trivial offenses be released at
the request OF the mother, father or
guardian of said children, as the Jail is
not only damp, unhealthy and dangerous
TO the health of the children, but the
surroundings have a tendency to harden
and corrupt the mind of the youth. In
no instance have ] convicted or held a
child to answer before the Superior Court
In the cases where the parents are repu-
table and able 10 care for their children
! have sent them home to their parents
and I have always contended that the
father or mother is the best judge of the
case. In cases of OrphanS-g1rlS or boys
or when girls or boys are truants, who
are leading or apt to lead an immoral
life, having no parents to control them
/ have always sent them to our different
public institutions. first regarding and re-
speCtng not only the moral but the spirit
ual teachings Of the parents of the child
Gentlemen, without further comment,
will state that / have done all in my
power to fUltll the promise that l theT
made. and II would be vanity on my part
TO further enCrOaCh upon your time by
eXtOlling my own duties and making my
self the hero Of my own statements.
You who have watched my career are
the best to judge as to whether or not
have fulfilled the duties of my office; but
the past is gone. II has been and 1T is
now time TO speak and provide for the
future. RetrenChment and reform are
now become not only expedient for oul
prosperity, but necessary TO our very ex-
istenCe.
No man Of sense can say that the pres
ent system OF municipal government
should continue; and I assure you thai
If reelected You will have no cause tc
regret for having rendered me this nomi.
nation. I will uphold the law, for in my
humble position / am conscious of the
fact that there is a reward in store for
the man who thinks with integrity and
acts with decision.
Gentlemen, I accept your nomination
and I hereby present myself to the people
OF this city as your candidate. They are
the judges, ana in their hands and hon
est judgment I submit my candidacy.
Gentlemen, receive my most grateful &C.
acknowledgement. Yours respectfully,
(Signed.) A. B. TREADWELL.
Judge of the Police Court