New-York tribune., 1905-06-11
ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
Preparations for Reform Cam pa1gn
an San Francisco.

San Francisco June s.-The trial of Frank
Maestretti, president of the Board OF Puhiic
Works. and chief lieutenant of Mayor SchHitz.
has excited much interest this week Maestretd
is accused of subornaton OF perjury In inducing
several witnesses to swear that two Of his lieu
tenants. wyman and Steffens, did not vote more
than once at the primary election last year.
Both wyman and Steffens have been convicted
Of ballot box stuffing and have been sentenced
to San Quentin Prison. In Maestrettfs case
two witnesses have testified positively that
they heard him ask a man to swear thar
wyrnan voted only once The defence has de-
clared in court that the Citizens Alliance IS
behind the present prosecution. and that it IS
merely a political device to discredit Maestretd
in the eyes of the public.
The Republican League, formed TO put an eni
to municipal corruption. is working hard to or
ganize the best elements of the city fer thu
coming campaign. The plan IS to prevent
Schmitz and Ruen from gaining control Of the
primaries, and thus force the nomination "r
a weak man at the head of the Republican
ticket. The league purposes to nominate the
strongest man available and then to secure his
Endorsement by the Democratic convention. This
would prevent q three cornered fight and would
surely defeat Schmitz.
Judge sIoss this week decided that nineteen
Iaborers who took down and stored election
booths should not be paid for their work be-
cause the amount involved exceeded S0Oo-
ANY work exceeding this sum should have been
advertised and let by contract The noteworthy
feature of the decision is that it sustains the
Civil Service provisions of the charter which the
present city administration has often ignored or
evaded. This decision will help in the work OF
civic reform now being carried out by the
Merchants Association. for 1t prevents the aG-
ministration bosses from giving out work TO
their ward followers in the face of the rules
for competitive examinations.
It is purposed by the owners OF property on
Russian Hill to build a massive wall on the
summit which will afford observation
ground unequaed in the city. Twelve coun-
ties may be seen from this hill, as we'll as sew
eraI mountain peaks and the Farallone Islands.
forty miles out at
The disappearance Of Second Lieutenant WILL
lam G. BlaisdeIl from the revenue cutter Rush
Monday night is generally set down an ac-
cident The officer is supposed to have fallen
overheard about midnight. AS he was fine
swimmer It is argued by his friends that his
head struck something before he hit the water.
and he thus sank helplessy. What makes the
case very sad is that his wife and child were
on their way here from New-Orleans to meet
him. as he had just returned from duty in the
Arctic.
That San Francisco is growing rapidly Is
proved by the large Increase in the earnings Of
the United Railroads The gross earnings for
last April were 1892 502 against S569.609 for
April last year, an increase OF S20,S93. The
first four months of this year show an increase
over the corresponding months of last year OF
S11S.607.
The defeat Of the prohibition ordinance IN
Los Angeles by vote OF nearly two to one Is
a keen disappointment to temperance people.
The vote was 1920, against S.466 for the
ordinance. Probably the defeat Of the measure
was largely due to the votes of those who are
desirous of aiding the growth Of the city even
by Illicit means. Complete prohibition would
drive out a large element The temperance forces
were unarshalied by DR.. Chaplin. who declares
he is not discouraged. but will begin the fight
over again. Probably he will compromise on
some plan. less radical than prohibition. which
will yet strip the liquor traffic OF its worst evils
The result of the application Of the lash to
wife beaters in Oregon will be watched with
much interest. The first official whipping took
place this week in Portland, twenty lashes being
laid on the bare back of burly brute VINO
beat his wife II the punishment could be
extended to petty thefts, especially by tramps,
would work wholesome REFORM IL is thought
The attendance at the Lewis and Clark fair at
Portland is increasing. and. as the weather mas
improved the prospects are Frightening Inc
exhibits are nearly all installed. and the fair
grounds are very beautiful 1t is expected that
when the severe heat comes in the East many
thousands will turn toward the fair. This expo
sition certainly offers an ideal opportunity 1or
any one to see a unique show, and at the same
time to visit San Francisco. the Yosemite Valley,
Southern California and other places or interest,"
on the way home.