END OF THE SOCIAL TURMOIL IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Kumara Times, Issue 1145, 31 May 1880, Page 4

END OF THE SOCIAL TURMOIL IN SAN FRANCISCO.

The American correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes on April 12 : Here we are now on April 12, and no revolution or hanging or burning in San Francisco. You will all remember that things were at white heat when last I wrote, the Sandlots and Vigilantes being arrayed in hostile camps, with the entire military strength of the Department of the Pacific massed in garrison at this city, while the police force took charge of the Gatling battery and the arms of the Second Regiment of National Guards, for fear those fiery warriors should arm themselves. War-horsej snorted in their stalls, bellicose editors revelled in blood in their leader columns, and Christian ministers from their pulpits urged their congrega ations to " arm, drill and smite, every one of you?" And the followers of the meek and lowly One, who turned His cheek to the smiter, rose in their fashionable pews in Calvary Presbyterian Church and cheered Parson Hemphill on the Sabbath night, as a preacher of peace and righteousness. But the revolution would not come. Despite the frantic efforts of those who sought to profit by confusion and strife, men kept cool, that is the men chiefly concerned, to wit the working men, and there was no overt act committed. Indeed, the storm blew itself oat on April 30, in the most unlooked-for of ways, but quite in accord with American practice. The contending parties, who were armed to the teeth, ready to spring at each other's throats, agreed to try conclusions at the ballotbox, and then and there buried, the hatchet and looked at each other squarely in the face since when everything has gone on as smoothly as possible. The circumstances are briefly these :—The Oity Charter expires in July and the new constitution empowers the voters to elect a board of fifteen freeholders to draft a substitute charter. Mayor Kalloch and the Election Commission fixed March 30 as the day for voting, and the Yigj] anteß or Citizens* Protective Union having failed to stop the election by wr it 0 f prohibition from . the Supreme Court, joined issue with the working men and put a coalition ticket in the field composed of Democrats and Republicans, who agreed to support the Citizens' ticket and did so. It was elected bv a considerable majority, but 10,000 citizens refrained from voting not caring to support either the compromise or W.P.C ticket. The result, however, has been eminently satisfactory. Agitation has been discontinued, save the reeolar Sandlot Sunday gathering, and business is getting back into its wonted groove. Dennis Kearney took suddenly ill the morning of the election, and his life for a time was in danger. His appeal against the sentences of fine and imprisonment is pending in the Superior. Court. Otherwise there is no incident to remind one of the past two and a half years' violent agitation. Not that the people are Icbs determined to have redress of grievances than formerly, but that their methods are more likely to be conservative Mr Justice Gillies was in San Francisco during the election, and was greatly impressed by the quiet and order that prevailed. Saloons are closed during the election, which lasts from sunrise to sunset. The polling-places are bo numerous that crowding is impossible, and no one can get within 100 feet of the ballot box except a voter, who is forbidden to look at or exhibit his ballot within that limit It is carefully folded up carried in his pocket, in the box in presence of the fudges of election and the scrutineers, without a word. If the ballot is a safeguard against coercion, then indeed must the Cahfornian election law be as perfect as it well can be. lam satisfied CzTa?and ad ° Pt * adv&ntage in