The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-31
THE STOLEN PETITION.

The larceny OF TIE HERALD's San
Pedro memorial il. thu latest move BY
the enemies of the people.
Only one combination in California
was interested in preventing the pres
ssntation OF this petition to congress
Only one interest could have suffered
injury through the appeal OF more than
10000 citizens Of Soushsrn California
on behalf OF q dssp-ssa hsrhor at San
Pedro.
Ever since The HERALD began to cir
oulate this petition. the agents OF the
Southern Pacific railroad corporation
have bsen active In the effort to bhlk
Its purpose. Their "spottsrs" have
watched and reported every ,uovemsns
on the part OF those engaged 10 the
work; their agents have warned busi-
ness mon not 10 sfnx their signatures
to the document; they havs sndosv-
orsd to throw discrsdit on the petition
by every means in their power.
And now tbs petition has been stolsn !
Who 10 tho orimiaal2 By whoas or
ders did the thief aot whom he entered
the Office OF The HERALD on Tuesday
evening asd carried of ths rolls oen-
tanning ths names Of &c. 900 citizens who
are pstitioning congress to give them =
doep-sea hafbor at San Psdro7
With the evidence st hand II will not
DO diiicult to trace the cowardly tool
who stole the rolls. The polics are
adopts at trailing sneak thieves, and
when the thief 10 in custody il will not
bs difficult to compel q confession he
will readily inform on his employers.
That he was hired to do his dirty work
is beyond quession-hs Ia probably
burglar by Profession and q sneak thief
on occasion, eager to undertake any sort
OF dirty work for small consideration.
But the purpose OF those who hired
this thist is easily defeated. 1t was
their intention to prevent the presenta-
ton OF the San PEDRO petition to con-
gress. They feared Its effect. folio wing
90 close on the storm impending over
the Reilly fund .nS bill. They are aware
that in the hands OF Senator White,
Senator Perkins and dozen others who
have declared their intention OF forcing
this commerce committee OF the senate
to show their hand, this petition OF
20. 900 citizens would assume formidable
proportions-shey know that on the pre-
text Of this memorial a debate can be
forced that will thoroughly expose the
purposes and methods Of Coils P.
Huntington in his determination to de-
lay and keep delaying action on the San
Pedro appropriation.
But the opponents Of this latest
to force the issue acted pre-
There 10 still ample time to
duplicate the petition. Within one
week The HERALD will procure more
than $1,000 signatures to its petition.
The people will not submit to this out
rage. They signed the petition in good
faith. They are now determined that it
shall go to Washington. A thousand
eager volunteers will undertake the work
that 10 now cut out for them. The ms
mortal blanks will be in the hAnis OF
these volunteers before noon today be-
fore the wesk is ended the petition will
be once more well under way, signed
with Thousands Of names of indignant
citizens.
Ths enemies OF this movement have
acted without discretion. They have
simply intensified the feeling thai ex-
lists against them. They have placed a
weapon in the hands of those who know
how to use it effsctually. The tactics
they have adopted will react upon them
and The HERALU's memorial to con-
gress on behalf Of San Pedro will land
there W it'll added force.
And this tins We shall see to ii that
sneak thieves hired to thwart the will
OF tho people are caught in the act il
they attempt to steal the petition sgain