The San Francisco call., 1904-11-19
THE MERCHANTS DINNER.

THE annual banquet of the San Francisco Merchants
Association furnished study reflection that
throughout Union 1t dealt with the
Jobbey and the crime that are features IN MUNICIPAL
and politics IN city IN the country that IS big enough
tempt by the of spols in sight Therefore the SIT
lies the reason why the interest in what was said will general
only San Francisco presented the features that were de-
nounced this would be city singular in its misfortune But 1t is
singular only IN the determination OF TINS strong Doy VI
that these evils should be hunted their last hiding place. and
dent Smes sounded the keynote his Introductory address by
saying that the association Satisfied in seeing that the
streets well swept but now we are determined TO sweep the
Mr. LoveIand traced the effect of criminal politics
municipal government showing that the public OF New
York greater the Of the civil government OF the
United States and that the municipal expenses city
greater those Rome the days of the empire Mr. Phelan
people red flag anarchy but patient
city government raised flag of the auctioneer
meaning that everything is for sale Mr. McNab said:
universal suffrage, where the citizen acts he his
politician and there for other The boss is the agent
voter by neglect of duty The only
practical politics know Of consists in voting The rule OF the
professional politician is minority rule 1t dependent on the
refusal neglect Of the majority to act
Mr. Fairfax Wheelan described his effort the primary
Of fraud giving details before made public Throughout de-
termination expressed to push the prosecutions now on and to
the ASSOCIATION and all good czens IN competing uo eecuons
against the franchise this city In every
speech rings the sentiment that all citizens must take hand in
making elections what safety
mny requires the register of the will Of the majority
There no doubt that the action OF the ASSOCIATION IN prosecuting
the agents of fraud the August primary entirely instrumental
securing the clean election November That proves the power
M w | " VIZ ; @ I4 ~ a - @ P d H. tIs az ao+ir;t a. +6
raid into the stronghold Of the enemies OF good government to
make immediate repsa and then would But all such ap
peenson by clearly expressed determination
keep maintain the threat of punishment
the power make It good
The peculiar charter Of the city makes this necessary than
1t furnishes concentration of power which the wise
and the best Of executives may fail administer properly unless
he the honest citizens of the community
Perhaps the best of all the work proposed by the association that
keeping citizen reminded of his highest civic duty the duty
OF voting every primary and election He be
that he fail stufer will for him. The
ton Of offenders by the association for crimes actually committed
function that be temporary But rousing the civic spirit Of
those who offend by neglect duty the primary and the election
permanent function In its annual meetings and in all ways
by which may reach the public the association make the
who nubs the poll feel that he offender against
He be punished for voting
he stands his share of the punishment of bad costly and corrupt
government But he visits that punishment also upon the
upon the duu citizen whom he neglected assist by voting
he douby responsible and guilty He responsible for bad
for the suffering of by those
tried make it good by doing their duty.
The proceedings of the association its banquet inspiring
They ike bugle call They like fresh and wholesome
gale that clears the Of its clouds and offensive odo They dis
ncy dignity ennobe San Francisco and sound far aed with
Of high purpose atencouages the victims of misgovern
everywhere apply the remedy by doing their duty