The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-29
LOSING FOLLOWERS DAILY
BOSS AND HIS HENCHMEN IN
SORE STRAITS.
Their Campaign Directed Against
Four Members and Nominees of
the Good Government
League.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE, Oct. 2S-The Rea gang is
thoroughly demoralized by the 'condi-
lions that confront it. Since Rea's con-
victfon Of SANDER there has been a de-
lection in the ranks, and many old
time supporters of the ring now pass
the leaders by with only CLASSY stare.
Until lately few men in business dared
to oppose Rea or the Mackenzies, as
that meant the ruination of their bust
ness. The boycott was the weapon of
these gangsters, and they applied it
effectively.
This is all changed now. The convic-
ton of Rea announced a new era for
San Jose, and it is a question of only
a short time when Rea and the Mac
kenzie family will be retired to private
life. This condition will come as re-
suit of the victory of the reform forces
on November s. A county government
by the people, economically admins
tered, instead of one by boss rule, will
be relief to the taxpayers of the
county.
The great number of the people who
are rallying to the support of the Good
Government League ticket is urging
the gang on to more desperate efforts
IMAM ever DGIOIS. 1NSd Ids given IL out
TO his lieutenants to do anything to de-
feat the reform ticket, and especially
James H. Lyndon for Sheriff. L. j.
Chapman for School Superintendent, E.
W. Conant for Treasurer and A. T.
Hermann for Surveyor. These four
are members and nominees of the Good
Government League, and the gang is to
center all it's power on this quartet.
Lyndon and Chapman have made excel
lent officials, while Hermann and Con-
ant are we'll qualified for the positions
to which they aspire.
The Good Government League is over
1000 strong, and it will support it's en-
tire ticket from top to bottom. These
Republicans who have had manhood
enough to break away from the boss
ridden party in the county are to be
taught lesson. and the ganp while it
will work to defeat the whole union
ticket, will make an especial effort to
down these four.
The California Club, the Reaites
headquarters, is the scene of great ac-
tivity just now. Conferences are held
daily and plans of campaign being ar
ranged. Money is being collected from
gang officials and friends for corrup-
ton fund. and city and county officials
have been given orders to get out and
work for voters.
Boss Rea is trying hard to re-elect
his brother, G. E. Rea, to the Board of
Supervisors from the First District
Voters are being coloniZed and money
used in Rea's behalf. but 1T looks very
much as though r. NJ. Phelps. the anti
gang candidate, will win. A meeting of
the Good Government League at Gilroy
this week was the largest ever held
there. Gilroy is the home of the Rea
family, and always considered a hot
bed for gangsters. The defeat of Rea's
brother there would be a direct slap in
the face of the gang. 1t is afraid of
this result, and Vic Bassignano, super
intendent of the County Infirmary here,
has been sent down there to herd the
voters into line. Bassignano formerly
lived there. The fact that this county
official should leave his duties here and
go to Gilroy to electioneer for Rea Is
causing much unfavorab1e comment.
The Police Department of this city
also is taking a hand in politics, con-
trary to provisions of the city charter,
which state 1t must keep out of politics.
Chief Kidward is especially active, and