The herald., 1895-01-23
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN.
THE DIVINE TALKS OF MUNICH
PAL REFORM.
ou"stion as to tho Advisabiiity OF
Advertisi"g Corruption in San
francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 22.-"What Ia
this corruption OF which you speak ?"
said Archbishop Riordau, when asked
to give his views az to the popular move.
ment for municipal reform. ut is easy
enough to indulge in glitterinR generali-
ties but what we want is to have these
various elements OF corruption CLASH.
fed. All this talk from the pulpit abou +
San Francisco being the most corrupt
city in the United States, in my opin-
ion, is not for the best.
TT is an easy thing to criticise, md
many persons. In following a popular
lead, 60 to extremes. When asked to
particularizs they are at loss. In all
communities of this aizs, corrupt in
huences must creep il, but am far
from believing that San Francisco or her
politics are worse than any other city.
II am heartily In favor of any move.
ment looking to the publication of our
political methods; but let as first dssig-
nate and specify the corruption which
We wish to combat. l believe that this
movement should be trueted to the
hands of reliable, responsible, sincere
and honest men. By all means keep it
out OF the hands OF the mountebank. l
might say OF any family or the mem>
bers thereof that it or they were COR
rupt or included vile characters among
their number, bus before making such
an assertion [ should most certainly
want my proof. This in way may be
taken as an illustration of a great deal
that is being said in glittering generality
about the corruption existing in our
midst. OF course, in the election frauds
recently brought to light we find
specific corruption and one which de-
serves the most strenuous meaaures for
it's eradication.
"The grand jury, which ia now in sss-
sion, 10 the proper body before which
such charges should be brought. Many
Of those dare say who are the most
violent in their denunciation OF the
alleged wholesale corruption exiating in
our city would be completely at sea il
called upon by that body to substantiate
their charges by reliable proofs. have
lived in San Francisco for IL years, and,
barring the fact OF its being a seaport
town, it is no worse than any other large
city with which am acquainted.
IF we desire our efforts In the way OF
reform to be most ef'eotual, let our best
A0u ~ tuo pulls huQ ciocb WOLbuy Cltl'
zens for the various Offices to be filled.
Too many of those who are anxious
for an improvement in our political
system are Indifferent when it
comes to casting their ballot. Many,
in fact, stay away from the polls alto
gsther and allow professional politicians
to run the thing to suit themselves. 1t
is only on occasions when there is q
general clamor for reform that our most
reputable citizens are fully aroused to
the need of taking hand in the man
agement OF municipal affairs. But. as
said before, / am afraid this talk from
the pulpit about our city being the most
corrupt in the union does not subserve
q good purpose. 1t gives rise to an erro-
neous impression, the effect of which
cannot easily be estimated.
II think have covered the ground az
thoroughly a. possible in view of the
fact that there is SO little of this alleged
corruption distinctly specified. am
very much in favor, however, of any
movement looking to the betterment OF
our conditions, but 1t must be in the
hands Of reliable and sincere men,"