The San Francisco call., 1897-11-25
A COMICAL DEFENSE.

the attempt the operations OF the political COM
binaton which rules Santa Clara County not sub
ect demanding the serious consideration it might be
said that the termination of he first act in the reform
ment excrucatngy funny The charge preferred that
when Grand Jury attempted to find indictment against
politician belonging the ring for Withholding public money
Superior Judge Lorgan entered the uyroom and forbade its
members to present the bill the ground that to do would
contrary his instructions and would way stu-
tify him.
The answer to this grave accusation by the parties
charged may be formulated thus Judge Logan vndicaes
himself by calling the grand juror whom he suspected of CIV
ing the information to The CALL "scoundrel" and a
cur; further efuaton of The charge and for the
pose of clearing gang generally he directs the Grand
Jury to report Immediately " then in order to prove the
public that the combination is composed entirely of angels he
promptly discharges the jury.
The answer of the combine body to the allegation
that they corrupng the county politics and misappop
atng the public funds that the proprietor of THE CALL
hidden motive for attacking certain persons among its
members. Is possible conceive of ridiculous jus
caton than this Evidently is believed San Jose that
the chief sin of political corruption consists in its discovery
Once prove that the dscoverer is governed by an gnobe
motive and the case is dismissed.
There thing, however, which the San Jose political
ring oVerooks in its comca defense 1t counting upon
the overwhelming public sentiment which gathering Santa
Clara County for its overthrow. The motives of THE CALL
exposing its opera lions have possible influence upon
result which certain follow it were true that
anxious to blight the political aspirations of somebody
mold the politics of the State in the interest of somebody
ee neither fact would be relevant the charges which have
been preferred against Judge Lorigan and his followers.
The garng factremans the people of Santa Clara
in the face that of their ted judicial officers has delber
atey nteered to suppress indictment for embezzng pub
lie money and when exposed has discharged the Grand Jury
without explanation Can such affair this be coughed
down? We think not.
of morality among mankind which, amid the most
squad corruption rises to overWhem those who live the
products of and crime Whenever world there
lists wrong this force ultimately appears sweep away
Everybody pays tribute political morality. The bosses aud
in their platforms and the politicians exhorr it in their
speeches. conventions nominate whom they believe be
honest because choose bad means the defeat he
struggling prevail We safe therefore, in asserting that
in ngdden Santa Clara County political purity will
ultimately prevail.
After this the gang" continue to rule. The
in Judge Lorigans court Monday necessarily open
the eyes the people, They must that only
the ring devoung revenue, degrading the public conscience
discouraging business interests and driving away the
kind of citizens" but it actually invading the temples
justice and prosttutng the ermne its base 1t will be
impossible for the subjects of this scandal to survive the pub
lie wrath come and they may we'll make ready for he
Slaughter Grand Juror Carroll has merely fired the train
7 he real explosion will follow in due time.