The San Francisco call., 1907-06-18

the open marker and buy supplies on tne
same terms and prices as our best mer
chants or wealthiest citizens, and the
outstanding script was being taken up
with our surplus cash as II accumu
lated IN our treasury.
COURTS ARE INVOKED
The result OF the commission form
OF government met the expectation Of
its most ardent friends, and was the
pride OF every patriotic and civic low
ing citizen Every detail had worked
without any friction or hitch until q
orayman was arrested and fined SO
by our recorder for violating q sani
tary ordnance The case was appealed
70 the criminal district court. upon the
ground that ur.whole city government
was unconstitutional. hence the re-
Ncorder had no authority whatever 70
Impose q fine. The ground for this ac-
ton was that e majority OF our COM
mission being appointiye. the citizen
was deprived OF the right of ballot
guaranteed him by the constitution
The criminal district court affirmed the
verdict OF the recorder, but the case
was again appealed TO the supreme
criminal court Of the state. and to the
great astonishment OF our people that
court. by q vote OF two 20 one, pro-
nounced our form of government IN
constitutional. on the ground that our
citizens had no voice in the selection
OF our officers who were administering
the government Later the supreme
civil court held that the eppointive
feature was constitutional Thus our
commission was constitutional In civil
matters. but had no police Jurisdiction.
There was but one thing 10 be
done and that was TO apply 10 the
legislature then in session and near
ing its close for a change IN our char
ter eliminating the appointiye feature
which was the weak point as decided
by the supreme criminal court We
regretted 70 give up this feature Of
our charter, because re believed that
the very best material for our city
government could always be had by
TIE appointive clause II contained
The emergency required quick ac-
ton, and upon application of our
board. Joined by our citizens. the seem
ingly Objectionable part OF our char
ter was revoked. the entire elective
feature substituted. and Just two DAYS
afterward this act was passed by both
branches OF the state legislature.
signed BY the governor on March So
1903. and an election for five com
nissioners under the new charter was
ordered.
our city was again fortunate in
getting the consent Of the original
five commissioners 70 run for their re-
spective Offices, and all were elected
by handsome majorities. and our city
is today under the control OF the same
FIVE commissioners and heads of de-
partments. with the exception OF
Aayor-President Austin. who died n
November. 1905; City Attorney Scott
who died in January, 1904, and City
Engineer Sias and Secretary Artz
both OF whom resigned soon after sp-
pOintment 70 accept other employ
ment., These vacancies for the unex-
pired terms were each filed as they
occurred as provided for in our char
ter. which also provides that the
term OF the commissioners shall be two
years. election 10 occur on the second
Tuesday in May every two years
CITIZENS ARE HEARD
The meetings OF the board are held
every Thursday evening al 6 o'clock.
and, as the utmost harmony prevails,
business at these meetings is dis
patched IN the same manner as that of
bank or private corporation The
city hall is conspicuous by the absence
OF politicians and place hunters, as e
simple request in writing from the
humblest citizen addressed 10 the board
meets with the same consideration as
would the presence IN person or by
---S1N
citizen.
-Au purchases or contracts amount
ing 10 $500 or over are made or
awarded On sealed bids after being
duly advertised, and this saves our
city thousands OF dollars annually.
Our cash held for the different sink
ing funds is let out subject 10 call. on
approved security. to our different
moneyed institutions al 3 per cent in
se .1<
siderable income.
Our commissioner OF finance and
revenue at the beginning of each fiscal
year estimates the income and receipts
Of the year, and our board, sitting as a
whole. formulates q budget making
disposition Of our income, first taking
care OF fixed expenses. such as inter
est and sinking fund on our bonds and
salaries. Each head OF department
furnishes an estimate of fixed ex-
penses. and also contemplated per-
msnent improvements in each par
ticulsr department, care being taken
that expenditures 90 not exceed re-
ceipts, and in no case is this budget
deviated from. All unexpended bal
ances at the end OF the year revert
back TO the general fund
Our city owns its water plant and
sewerage system, for which il issued
SFeCldl DODGSs and the income not only
takes care Of the interest and sinking
fund Of these bonds but pays q revenue
10 the city Il also owns and operates
its electric light plant. tor its own use
only. being run IN connection with the
water works plant, thus saving a con-
siderable cost on lighting the city.
IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE
The commission since its organiza-
ton has paid of in settlement of old
claims and made the. following per-
manent improvements:
Outstanding script and interest IS
sued hT previous administration 81 So 924 -
Outstanding judgments paid and
Permanent Improvement paving, rock.
shelli8z streets. drainage. ETC 2se. .63S 75
Permanent Improvement water works,
Ere department. John Sealy hospital.
ciry hall. etc ----------------------l2 -l2z e4o. 80
Total l......-.... s5az. .eso So
Besides this. it has betrayed the
fixed expenses Of the city government
on a cash basis, even 10 paying its Ia
borers weekly in cash. and. without
borrowing one dollar. issuing bonds
rF al