"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
"The executive committee, which appointed the Committee of
Seven can bring about the organization of such a body as I
suggest. It was noticeable that when the Committee of Seven
took hold of affairs there was less violence for a couple of
days, but as soon as the body tendered its resignation there
was an increase in these acts of violence.
"Acts of violence must cease. No self-respecting community will
permit a reign of crime day after day, the throwing of bricks
and other missiles, the use of vile and abusive language, and
the beating of men walking along the streets peaceably. Then,
too, we have our wives and daughters to think of. Conditions
are certainly deplorable when they cannot go upon the streets
of a great city like San Francisco without being compelled to
hear obscene language and witness acts of violence such as have
been committed within the last three weeks.
"There are strong men here, and if they set about the matter in
the right way there will be no occasion for the entrance of the
State troops into the city."
[248] See footnote 229, page 206.
[249] Of the eighteen Supervisors, two, O'Neil and Tveitmoe, had
been appointed by Mayor Schmitz to fill vacancies after the
bribery transactions. They were in no way involved in the
briberies. They were, therefore, independent of the District
Attorney. O'Neil put Tveitmoe in nomination against Gallagher.
"What is the difference," demanded O'Neil, "between Eugene E.
Schmitz and James L. Gallagher?" Gallagher's face went red
with rage, but there was no way of silencing the critic.
[250] This tardiness of appointment was not due to any lack of
candidates. Practically every faction in San Francisco had its
choice for Schmitz's successor.
[251] The election of Boxton to be Mayor may be called the
refinement of cruelty. His elevation to high executive office
but emphasized the shame of his position. From taking his oath
of office he was rushed to the witness stand to testify
against Louis Glass on trial for participation in bribing him
to oppose the granting of the Home Telephone Company
franchise. D. M. Delmas was conducting the case for the
defense. Delmas suavely turned Boxton's elevation to account.
He scrupulously addressed Boxton as the "Mayor." And, in
comparison, he wrung from the new Mayor's lips: "I took bribes
and was a spy for Halsey."
Nor did Delmas confine his refined ridicule to the unhappy
Mayor Boxton. Heney had, for example, asked the court to take
judicial notice of the fact that while Schmitz was in Europe,
Gallagher had served as acting Mayor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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