"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 election returns[339] were conclusive of San Francisco's attitude on
the several issues raised. Taylor was elected Mayor, with a clear
majority of 415 over all his competitors. Langdon's majority over all
competitors, including the Socialist candidate, was 13,510, his
plurality over McGowan being 14,808. And with the election of Taylor
and Langdon[340] were elected all the Good Government League candidates
for Supervisors.
The Graft Prosecution had successfully passed another crisis. It had,
too, received overwhelming endorsement of The People at the polls.
FOOTNOTES:
[320] The outcome of the Republican primaries was looked upon as a
victory for good government. Said the Call, in discussing the
returns: "Two things stand out prominently in the returns of
the primary elections yesterday. One is that the Republicans
of San Francisco have had enough of Herrin. The other is that
they have not had enough of the graft prosecution. The victory
for decency and for the independence of the party from the
thralldom in which Herrin has so long held it for the use and
benefit of the Southern Pacific was complete, with a vote
large enough to make it plain to Herrin and to the interests
exposed and to be exposed in the debauchery of public servants
that they must look elsewhere than to the Republicans of San
Francisco for the old corrupt conditions. The Call takes to
itself credit for some share in the accomplishment of this
good work. It was this paper that spoiled Herrin's infamous
apportionment scheme by which he planned to fill the burned
district with his dummies and thus control the municipal
convention. It was this paper that began and carried on to the
last moment a vigorous campaign in behalf of the decent
element of the Republican party, whose leadership was in the
capable and clean hands of Daniel A. Ryan. The Call has no
candidates. It wants only honest, capable independent men. It
made this winning fight because it wanted a clean government
for San Francisco and because it wanted the graft prosecution
carried out to the end."
[321] The primary vote was the largest up to that time cast in San
Francisco. It was as follows:
Anti-Herrin (Ryan) Republican 8,116
Herrin Republicans 3,207
Irregular Republicans 1,549
Regular Democratic 2,438
Byington, Democratic 1,081
McCarthy, Union Labor 3,655
Macarthur, Union Labor 2,197
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