The San Francisco call., 1909-04-18

HE wrecker with his pick Is at
work where the man with the
trowel labored through long
years. and in a few months there
viii be nothing left OF the city hall
but a remembrance.
II not TO shed a tear, let US at least
stop 20 realize all that is passing with
the massive and expressive old ruin. So
much OF the city's history lay in the
city's spirit was imbedded in the solid
walls, so much of human struggle is
recorded IN the imposing wings which
took so long to build that San Fran
cisco can hardly let the old structure
so without feeling that something Of
itself IS going with It.
It stood there, magnificent in its
devastation. weakened by fire, it's
crudihes exposed. its antiquated struc-
ture cruelty patent to the world: and
yet, crumbling and deserted. its per
sonality remained intact Even when
all else lay waste the dome stood
square on its base and declared that
the city remained
IT has been maligned by the casual
passerby who stopped below. and cram
ing his head UP TO the fallen walls,
said:
Yes. there II IS, A monument TO
graft biggest steal there ever was.
Shows how rotten San Francisco is"
In fact only one charge of graft was
-
proved.
Cost $4,000. .oOo," goes on the pass
erby glibIy. Took years to build
Horrible corruption" The figures show
that It cost s5,723,794Is.
As the hall was 30 years in building,
while one generation passed on and an
other took its place. there is small won
der that fanciful tales grew up around
il and that pure invention came in time
TO be taken for the truth.
For the truth has been practically
forgotten IT remains only in the minds
OF a few people and in some dry as dust
reports filed away under lock and key.
Nothing testihes SO well to the length
OF time since the building was begun
as the discovery made few weeks ago
that no one knew where the cornerstone
was laid. One said it was here, another
there. some even maintaining that there
had never been \ cornerstone. But that
there was one was assured by the list
Of articles incIosed in it Incorporated in
the actual reports II was then be-
lieved that it had been carried off in the
refuse from some blasted wall, and a
controversy has arisen that viii never
be settled until it is unearthed.
The facts set down below in an effort
10 give a short and accurate history of
the city hall were gathered from the
reports and from those who could give
the details at first hand. Notable among
these was Supervisor William Brod-
erick, the leader Of the movement which
secured the first enabling act by which
money was raised for the building. back
IN the year 1870, and who was on the
commission which 30 years later fin
-=zed and turned over to the city its
on-cial place of business. 1t was he who
pleaded before the body to which he
now belongs TO spare the building as it
stood and rehabilitate it And if he was
blind TO its faults. we can hardly blame
q father for falling to sec the short
comings OF the child of mis- heart. It
was hard TO see the work Of years go
into the rubbish heap. He understood
that / was seeking accuracy, and did
not fail TO tell the whole story with
care TO the least detail. Even though it
hurt him to recognize the weaknesses,
he did not conceal them. The facts of
this story came mainly from him.
Before the city hall was built the city
Offices were in an older structure which
stood at the corner of kearny and
Washington streets, the site of the hall
of justice, which succeeded it The city
Prisoners were stiI kept in the old
county jail over on Broadway