New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-20
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
GOVERNOR BUDD'S GOOD WORK-MU-
NICIPAL CORRUPTION-OPERA
[BY TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRIBCNEl

GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
San Francisco. Jan. 19.-The chief interest Of
the week has centred in the acts and plans OF
Governor Budd He declared when elected that
he proposed TO carry the State government
in the interest OF the people and not Of the
politicians and corporations. He seems to be
living up to his pledges. His removal OF Nose"
Gunst the cigar-deaer and owner OF gam
bling place and saloon. Police Commissioner
was warmly applauded by men Of both parties.
as Governor Markhams appointment OF this
man was the worst act Of bad admnstra-
ton. Budds appointee. Stewart Menzies. IS
well known as foreman Of the Grand jury
which forced the blind Boss Buckley into exile
in Canada. Menzies has many old scores to pay
with the police. and If he is supported he will
make a more thorough overhauling OF the San
Francisco police than the Lexow Committee
made Of New Yorks force. Governor Budd has
decided TO remove the other two old Police Com
missioners. Alvord and Tobn. and appoint in
their places ex-Mayor Elert And James V. Cole
man Ebert is Republican who made one OF
the best Mayors San Francisco ever had
and who is anxious TO expose the cor
rupt municipal bosses who defeated him for
recollection. He knows the corruption OF the
police and other departments. and he has the
courage to carry out an investigation. Coleman Is
a millionaire who several times has been promi-
menty named for Governor by the Democrats.
tIe fs an honest man and also has the courage
OF his convictions. II IS pretty certain now that
an investigation committee Of this Legislature
will be appointed to unearth corruption in this
CITY II the LEGISLATURE should fail Governor
Budd may be counted on to do his part I'm start
ing an investigation. Already the fear of
inquiry has made many lawbreakers and black
maners cautious, and when the police courts
1ay ho Of discussion
among officials is the prospect of being roasted
on the witness-stan The lawyer who will
'proba bly, take Mr. Goffs place in San Francisco
IS Henry T.. Highton. who Is noted as the most
-merciless cross-examner on the Coast. Highton
was a prominent speaker at the first mass-meet-
ing last Saturday night, and he Is in fun sym
lpathy with the movement.
1t will be great thing for municipal reform
in this city II there is a general clearing out OF
officials in all departments. The Police De-
partment is rotten, and the police courts are
stencil in the nostrils OF decent peopt New
York, since the days Of Tweed, never such
raw" work as is done every day by Police
Justice Campbell and other men who make
pretence of enforcing the law against any one
with political pull
Another sign Of aroused public sentiment
against municipal fraud is the prompt convic-
ton this week or Cohen and Steinberg two
ward politicians who helped to stuff the regis
Yraton rolls just before the last election. This
precious pair worked in the interest OF State
Senator Mahoney. who desired reelection TO
the Legislature. They blleted fifty heel
ers in the Baldwin Hotel, but their work was
SO crude that investigation just before Flee
ton Day threw out most of the suffers" Then
warrants were served on Cohen and Steinberg
for their part In the fraud Their trial took
place before Judge Wallace. Both made pitt
ol,fo ov,ih he yafp
was convicted OF perjury and Steinberg on
two counts of false registration Both Will get
long sentences. and II is to be hoped the man
who employed them may be reached by the long
arm Of the law and made to keep them com
pany. The swift conviction OF these two fell
aqsss-.who were thought to be safe from punish