The San Francisco call., 1898-01-22

cratlC aOInlfnSlThIlOn IlAS bc Louili III more recent transactions of this man. It was he who made an alliance. presum- ably for coin or political intrigue. with Walter Webb a Republican boss and boodler-a man under indictment for eX- tortion, under investigation for malfeas- ance in office, man under the condem- nation of this community for blackmail ing teachers and grossly abusing his trust. Patton, In his paper, the Capital, took up the cudgels for this Republican boodler, and incidentally cast aspersions upon the League for Better City Govern ment and the best clements of Los An geles, Democratic and Republican alike.
 Nor did he stop here. Patton, as the local representative of the San Francisco Call. enlisted that paper in a campaign in defense of the same Republican boodler. If a man is to be judged by the company he keeps. then Patton must be content with very low place in public estimation Not only has he failed to be true to the best traditions of his party, but he has betrayed the party itself, and, so far as he has been able, has brought it into disrepute.
 It can hardly be possible that Governor Budd will choose such man as the ob- ject Of his favor-giving into his hands one of the most responsible and honor able offices in the State. If he does so he will be placing premium on party treachery, honoring the known friend of Republican boodlers and delivering a slap in the face to the best clements of the Democratic party in this end of the State.
 Mir Patton's reply to the Herald will be found on file in the Superior Court in the shape of a complaint suing for $5O,OOO for damages on a charge of libel. His answer to the public will be found in an interview which follows
 'I never did say that I had the iron bound, brass-riveted pledge of Cover nor Budd to name me as Bank Com missioner As to my competency to serve as Bank Commissioner Iwillleave others who know me to answer. As to the allegation that I sold out the Dem ocratic nomination for Congress in the Sixth District in 1896 for coin or any personal consideration of any kind or character I simply say that 1t is a lie As to the charge that I made any alli- ance at any time for coin or political intrigue with Walter L. Webb or any other man it is simply a dastardly falsehood.
 ''The paper that printed this mass of falsehoods will be called upon Go prove them in the Superior Court of this l l on this water fight that the syndicated newspapers would be strong enough to ruin me. The first effort to carry out that prediction is now made. but I am still here and I am going to stay here. am simply making the fight I was in structed to make for the San Francisco Call in the matter of the water steal
 My instructions are to give all facts without fear or favor to uncover all official traitors, without regard to par ty, to be just by the corporation and it's allies, but to expose their unfair methods, their corruption and the prac- tices whereby they propose to put through the largest single steal that a suffering community on the Pacific Coast has ever been called upon to bear.
 Those instructions I am going to carry out to the letter. I don't fear the result. My record is an open book and am perfectly willing to abide by 1t. A jury will pass upon the truth or falsity of the Herald's charges and by its verdict l am perfectly willing that the public should judge me"
 The libel suit MT. Patton has insti- tuted against the Herald will attract the attention of the entire State for some of he most prominent political leaders will be called as witnesses. Among the citizens of Los Angeles the attack of the Herald upon MT Pat ton is looked upon simply as the pun ishment the water company is striving to infiict upon him because, in his ca pacity as correspondent, he has done his duty
 This is what Mayor M. P Snyder says in reference to the matter:
 MT. Patton has offended against the water company and its tools, and the Herald's attack is the result His of fense constitutes the faithful perform ance of his duty by the San Francisco Call in its work of exposing the com pines attempt to hold up the taxpay- CTS and water rate payers of this city. and this is the price he has to pay. I have had the same kind of treatment, and know how to take it. MT Pat tons friends, and they are here by the thousands, know him. however. and this lying attack of the Herald will nave no effect on him. He has lived here for fifteen years. He has made ms record, and his character is estab- Hsheo It cannot be taken from him by the assaults Of the monopoly press nor by the tool of a corporation which is attempting to put through deliberate steal upon the people of this city. I am glad MT. Patton has decided to sue for libel. That he will get judgment I have not the slightest doubt"
 Councilman L. M. Grider "Mr. Patton IS now getting the same measure of tus- Uce that has been meted out to me bv the Herald and its confederates for the isst year This is the price every citi- zen who makes himself more or less prominent in the water fight will have to pay"
 The water fight is livening up and Is now occupying more space in the syndicated daily newspapers and at- tracing the attention and interest of more people than any local topic that has ever before been discussed in this community. When The Call arrived srzrr