"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
"We cannot entertain any such proposition at this date. We
have already had submitted to us, and have considered at least
one hundred plans for calling an electoral convention, and
after carefully deliberating on all these plans, decided upon
the plan which we have announced. This plan gives the opposing
factions of labor and capital each an equal representation in
the electoral body. The responsibility of deciding who shall
be the Mayor is distinctly imposed on the two most important
factions in the community, and as far as giving a square deal
to everybody, we do not see how our announced plan can be
improved upon. Certainly the addition of fifteen delegates
appointed by any special committee cannot improve the plan. In
our announcement it has been clearly stated that all the
commercial and labor organizations called have until Saturday
to name their delegates, and these delegates will assemble
next Monday to nominate the new Mayor. The plan announced will
not be modified in any way. It places the issue squarely
before the people and if they do not wish to act upon it we
cannot help it.
"In regard to the proposition to permit the electoral
convention to name sixteen new Supervisors, I will say that
while there is no objection to it, we do not think it is wise
to incorporate it in our present plan."
[256] Schmitz's resistance of the elevation of Gallagher no doubt
influenced the aged Justice in his refusal. From the county
jail Schmitz continued to insist that he was still the de
facto Mayor of San Francisco. The Chief of Police, himself
under indictment, sided with Schmitz. Gallagher during his
eventful term blocked by the police, was not permitted to
enter the Mayor's office. When Boxton was made Mayor, Langdon
went with him to the Mayor's office and seized the furniture.
Schmitz's partisans boasted that the Mayor would be released
on bail, march with his followers to the meeting place of the
Supervisors, and, with the aid of the police, oust Gallagher
by force. Schmitz's resistance made itself felt in many ways.
For example, an athletic club had arranged for a boxing match,
for which a permit signed by the Mayor had to be issued.
Gallagher had signed the permit. Chief of Police Dinan,
however, refused to recognize it unless it were signed by
Schmitz. The manager of the affair was compelled to go to the
county jail for Schmitz's signature. Schmitz notified the
bondsmen of City Treasurer Charles A. Bantel that he would
hold them responsible for any moneys paid out by Bantel
without his (Schmitz's) signature. The bondsmen notified
Bantel that as a matter of precaution he must have the
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