New-York tribune., 1902-01-26
ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE.
WORK OF SAN FRANCISCO's NEW MAYOR
BLYTHE LITIGATION RENEWED
CENTRAL PACIFIC REBUILDING.

San Francisco. Jan. 23.-Mayor schmitz. who
took office only two weeks ago. has created great
excitement already among the professional poll
tfcians who I'LL most of the places in the city
government. Before he entered the Mayors Of
nee he gathered mass of evidence against
ofhceholders who were neglecting their work.
The first man he bowled out was the School Di-
rector John B. Casserly. who gained his position
a personal friend of ex-Mayor Phelan. Cas-
serly had the habit of taking much wine
dinner and then making inspection of the
evening schools. On these visits he played
pranks and INDUCED in insolence to teachers
that proved uncomfortable. Rather than face an
investigation he resigned promptly and the
Mayor his filled his place with Thomas P. Wood
ward, former school director and competent
man. Then the Mayor suspended Edward Will
Jams. for twelve years chief clerk of the justice
courts, for neglect of duty. Williams had
number of deputies and the work so light
in the office that he and most of the deputies
attended the racetrack almost every afternoon
The Mayor had all the evidence against Will
Jams, who agreed to retire. but later. acting on
the advice Of his lawyers, he sued out writ OF
injunction against his removal The justices of
the peace and judges of the Superior Court
backed Williams in his fight, and the matter
will come up next week. Meanwhile the Mayor,
Williams and put his own appointee Powell
Frederick. in office. These removals have spread
CONSERVATION among the political hangers-on
who have drawn salaries for little work at the
City Hail. These officeholders are also greatly
alarmed over the reports that the Mayor has
full details of many crooked practices by which
the clerks add to their salaries. Although May
Schmitz is open to the charge that he is re-
moving to fill places with his own ap-
pointees still. long as he improves the ser
vice and stops the waste of the city funds he
will have public approval.
Tho old Blythe litigation was resumed this
week by the trial OF Alice Edith Dickason's
claim against the estate for the widows por-
ton. This woman lived with Blythe during the
last two years of his life, and declares she
married TO him by common law ceremony. but
there witnesses. The Supreme Court
has held that she has rights. but she is now
backed by Lucky" Baldwin. and it looks
though she has started on a long contest
Claus Spreckels, the sugar man, has bought
twenty-five feet adjoining the Union Trust Com
pany. in Montgomery-st., near Market-st-, for
500, 900, equivalent to $4,000 front foot, the
Same price recently paid by the trust company
for fifty feet adjoining its present building. Both
lots will be improved with fine office
buildings
The San Francisco Bank statement shows that
commercial banks glutted with coin. The
resources of the commercial banks are $50 1885,
756. of which S3O,417. .327 is cash on hand or
due from banks and brokers. The amount due
depositors and other banks is $60.675, ,961.
that there is nearly half dollar of cash assets
for each dollar of cash liabilities. The savings
banks have SLAB 524 996 in deposits. but the cash
lying unproductivs in the vaults is not exces-
sivc.
More room is needed at the Golden Gate Park
Museum, which is now badly crowded, with no
space for many good exhibits that have not yet
been unpacked. 1t is probable that wooden
addition will be made to the present building,
which Is one Of the most popular places in the
park and is visited by constantly increasing
number OF people.
Rain has fallen this week in nearly all parts Of
the State but thus far the rainfall has not been
heavy enough in the south to remove the effects
of the drouth. In Central and Northern Cali
forniaSth rainfall has been ample to make a
crop, and the indications for more rain.
The Santa Fe Railroad Company will soon be-
gin handling Oriental business through San
Francisco, as the Southern and Union Pacific
railroads are doing For several years the
Santa Fe has had contract with the California
and Oriental Steamship Company. and all the
Oriental freight handled through San Diego.
This has been found unsatisfactory. and the
contract soon expires the Santa Fe will do its
Oriental business through this port in connec-
ton with the Pacific Mail. Occidental and ORR
entail and the Japanese line, Togo Kisen Kaisha.
Four contracts have just been let for rebuild
ing the Central Pacific Railroad east of Reno.
Nev involving 81, 100000. The track will be
shortened in many places. grades reduced and