The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-13
! ALAMEDA COUNTY NEWS.

there is an element, having nothing at
stake except the satisfaction Of their own
selfishness, who care nothing Tor the IN
dividual or society at large. Thls element
In this city is perhaps no greater than IN
any other city of the size of Oakland, but
it is better organized: It possesses the
faculty of making itself felt on election
day, and If. 1t cannot succeed IN electlne
ment to give it control, 1t has frequently
succeeded in asserting its power sufh-
GENTLY to block the honest efforts OF the
majority and thus nullify the Will or
the greater portion of the voters. Plans
are even now being formulated to try to
bring about a repetition of these tactics.
Trades are being made that will, 1t is
hoped give to this undesirable element
at least enough votes in the City Council
to overthrow any good measure that
might be proposed even If it cannot carry
out obnoxious plans of its own
Any one acquainted with affairs of this
city. can see many important questions
that will arise during the term of the
the: water rate matter. This is COM
pick affair that will require well balanced
minds and men of inflexible character 10
handle. There will, undoubtedly, be an
other. agitation regarding public parks.
and this matter must be dealt with in
such way as to secure public parks II
the people desire them, but secure them
ON such terms as will make 1t impossible
for the city government to be branded as
having had q personal interest in the
transaction. The many improvements
contemplated and now under way in the
vicinity Of Lake Merritt need very judi
cfouS administration. While there can be
no doubt that this beautiful section of
the city should be made as attractive as
possible, 1t is imperative that the line be
drawn between such work as is of public
benefit and such as will tend to partake
of the nature. of personal benefits. Anoth-
err important matter is the disposition OF
= I,o tv11hr a n
ordinance has been passed to print APP
propriating an immense sum of money
from the taxes, that will not be fixed until
next October, for settling this question.
in view of the many conflicting state
ments regarding Cemetery Creek, to offer
definite opinion, but II Is q public ques-
ton Of grave Importance and will have to
be determined in some manner or other
by the next City Council.
During the past two years some pro-
nounced. and permanent street improve
ments have been made, calling for the
expenditure of huge sums. No fault can
now be found with existing thoroughfares
between East Oakland and the city
proper. a movement is already on foot
to. settle upon one of the arteries leading
to West. Oakland and to place it in as
good condition as the one to East Oak
land. Out north the same problem has
i
large slices from the city treasury. They
all present a possibility for crookednesS
and consequently form an important ele-
ment in the consideration of ut men for
the next city: government. There is also
a question of patronage which cannot be
ignored. No one can presume to say that
during the past two years the city patron
age has been dispensed in a manner
most BETTING the dignity of It's govern
ment or the efficiency of some of it's de-
partments. This patronage involves the
ii TIL
of the entire income of the city. and 1t
cannot be placed in the hands of men too
honest for their positions.
The Board of Education is only of sec
ohdary Importance TO the City Council. !
The president of a large political organi |
cation told me recently that. he thought
it was a mistake for municipal conven-
ton. to be rushed. through in one night |
He remarked that in view of the impor-
lance of It's functions a second night |
should always be. taken up in considera-
This is true. Usually after the nomina- !
ton of the city ticket and the City Coun-
Gil, interest lags and the nomination of |
School Directors is made in hasty, per- |
functory manner. To what extent this Is |
true in regard to the nominations recent
" made l cannot say, but 1t is not radi- |
cal to say that the election of men who !
appoint the teachers to. train the most |
should engross the best attention of mu-
nicipal conventions. AS rule Oakland |
has had good School Boards. and as
there is not much competition for places
on the board in this campaign it is prob |
able. that the next board will be as con-
scientious as those that have preceded it. |
That good men have been nominated for |
the Board of Education in the past has |
largely been due to luck more than to |
careful thought and scrutiny on the part !
Of delegates.
Just now ali the candidates are resting
on their arms. There are many platforms |
before the public, and in every one of |
them are some planks that are highly |
dangerous to active campaigners. No one |
seems to know at this time just along |
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