"The System," As Uncovered by the San Francisco Graft ProsecutionHichborn, Franklin
History
"The System," As Uncovered by the San Francisco Graft Prosecution
Hichborn, Franklin
Political corruption -- California -- San Francisco; San Francisco (Calif.) -- Politics and government
[218] Heney, in his affidavit, states: "During the conversation Ach
stated, in substance: 'You can't convict Ruef in this French
Restaurant case, but I realize that you are sure to convict
him in some of the bribery cases, and I think it is useless
for him to stand out and fight any longer, he had better take
the best he can get, and I have told him so. He insists,
however, that he ought not to be required to plead guilty in
the French Restaurant case, or to submit to any punishment.'"
[219] In the course of the interview, Langdon stated to Ach and the
two Rabbis that he had authorized Heney to conduct the
negotiations for him, but that he wanted it to be distinctly
understood by everybody that he had the final say in the
matter and would exercise it, and that no agreement could be
concluded without his personal sanction.
[220] Heney, In his affidavit describing these meetings, states that
Ach, Kaplan and Nieto habitually came In the back way so they
would not be seen by newspaper reporters who at the time
frequented the front halls of the private residence in which
Heney, after the fire, had his offices. Ach, Heney states, was
desirous of not being known as party to the negotiations.
Heney in his affidavit says: "In this same conversation (at
the first conference) Ach said in substance: 'I want everybody
here to agree that the fact that I participated in this
conference, or had anything to do with advising Ruef to turn
state's evidence, shall never be made known; it would
absolutely ruin my business if it became known. A lot of the
people whom Ruef will involve as accomplices are close friends
of clients of mine. Of course I do not know just whom he will
involve, but I do have a general idea. For instance, while he
has never told me so in so many words, I understand that he
will involve William F. Herrin. Now just to illustrate to you
how it would affect me in business if it was known that I
participated in urging Ruef to do this I will tell you that I
am attorney for one company, an oil company, that pays me ten
thousand dollars a year as a salary for attending to its
business, and Herrin is one of the directors of the company
and undoubtedly has sufficient influence with the other
directors to take this client away from me. This is only one
instance, and there are many others.'"
[221] See affidavits of Francis J. Heney and Judge William P. Lawlor
on file in the case of The People vs. Patrick Calhoun et al.,
No. 823.
[222] See Heney's affidavit in the case of The People vs. Patrick
Calhoun et als., No. 823.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account