The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-24
CIVIC FEDERATION AND THE GRAND JURY,

power is at work--a power which seems to be
effective enough to almost paralyze the courts.
quoted those words from the report of the
Grand jury without comment, and have no
apology TO make. 1t is my privilege to quote
from an official and public report, but used
no such language as one of the dailies put in
my mouth with reference to Judge Belcher or
any other Judge.
did say something like that in connection
with wholly different class of persons men,
toned in the report. My only reference to
Judge Belcher was in the language of the re-
port OF the Grand Jury, which is official
document published in pamphlet form at pub
lie expense, and which had also been published
In all OF the newspapers. Such document is
public property. | han not seen Judge Bel
chers reply. In a protracted conversation
with one of the Grand Jurors, in whose judg-
during the past week: 81 believe Judge Bel
cher to be an honest man. When those
cases were assigned TO his court
we had great hopes; We were
lleve him TO be an honest man, and shall tell
him so al the first opportunity" | should have
the words of the Grand Jury in so important q
matter, but surely if one of the most careful OF
It's own members can hold that understanding
or the words OF that report, then the public at
large will most gladly believe that no shade of
dishonor rests on the name of Judge Belcher.
1t is entirely possible for the Grand Jury to be
greatly surprised" or even grievously disap-
ton upon the judicial honor Of a
worthy Judge, whose court had been with
out stain. 1t gives me great pleasure to be
able TO say these words, and to add that I do
so without any pledge either to him or his
friends Down to this moment he has had no
knowledge of my intentions, or of the state
ment made to me by that member of the Grand
Jury. This statement is the more gratifying to
me because. when l quoted those words last
week, believed that they conveyed quite b
different meaning, though l did not say So.
The effect of the statement by a Grand Juror
has been to clear my mind of any feeling
which would shadow an honorable name.
l rejoice in this more than could in any per-
sonal gain whatever. l rejoice IN the feeling
that the forces of righteousness have in that
court an ally and not an enemy. l am glad to
believe that no criminal may hope to find
there a shield for his crimes under the forms
OF judicial procedure.
Is it true that the inspectors in the precincts
where the grossest frauds were committed have
been rewarded with positions in the public
office of the man who protited by their fraud ?
II that is true we ought to know it. If that is
true the Grand Jury ought to have discovered
1t; and having discovered it they ought to tell
IT, Those inspectors may have been appointed
properly enough. That is not now the ques-
ton. What did they do with their appoint
ment after they got it? Did they steal our
votes? II they did the righteous Indignation
OF this City ought to pursue them. If they
stole votes they ought to be in prison instead
OF in office.
will be tolerated any more than train robber.
Let the corrupt bosses know that there is some
thing more behind this movement than a
spasm OF reform or fad of new organizations.
The resistless spirit of righteousness is behind
it. The spirit that broke the echoes OF Faneuil
Hall in l715, which rung the independence
bell in 1875, is behind it. The spirit that
founded this Government as protest against
the tyranny of kings is protesting against the
tyranny OF political corruption. The spirit
that overthrew the oppression of the slave
power is awaking TO overthrow the oppression
of corrupt politicians. Let everything that is
in the way OF that spirit stand aside unless it
wants to be crushed.
Righteousness is powerful friend and a
resistless enemy. When righteousness wakes
up it Will Stay the corrupters of government
and the assassins OF liberty. 1t will find out
and revenge every ballot-thief. 1t will drive
into ignominy every Supervisor who sells his
vote. twill scorch the men who hide crimi-
mails behind the courts appointed for their pun
iShment. Our country viii live, because right
eousness will save it. Nothing else can.