The herald., 1898-06-16
THE coMMuNITY's DISGRACE

THE COMMUNITY'S DISGRACE
The Herald has no desire to gloat ovel
the downfall of Ex-School Director
infamy of such man necessarily reflects
upon the community which placed him
in a position of responsibility and honor
While it is obvious that the radiance of
such rubbish from the civic administra-
ton is a cause for congratulation, tn:
fact must not be lost sight Of that Los
Angeles cannot escape it's share of shame
for ever electing such man-save thu
mark!-to such position, and for main
tanning him so long to stamp his vile
record upon the history of our public
schook.
Months ago Webb was morally con-
victed Of gross abuse of the privileges
Of his office. 1t was, however, his private
offenss, not his public malfeasance. that
resulted in his final rout. And here again
is cause for the public conscience to
be pricked. While the Investigation into
Webbs record as school director for the
purpose of ousting him proved abortive, il
remained for the fellow to be found OUT
in his private life. Unhappily it Is this
sin of being found out" that alone ap-
peals to people of Webb's stamp.
1t was grievous commentary upon
public opinion that the chief fault found
with the ex-boss of the school board
during the investigation of his corruption
was that his work" had been raw
To the poorly concealed Vaccinations OF
the 'iron hand" which extorted blood
money from janitors and teachers, is now
added the infamy of debauching school
teachers, whom it was his duty and
privilege to protect.
Webb's private sins have been his own
undoing. They are only matter for pub
lie comment inasmuch as they affect
the common veal. and unfortunately
they affect it very seriously. His public
offenses have never been punished; on
the contrary they have been actually
condoned,
As long as citizens are content to bend
their necks to the political pull" which
such men as Webb are able to control,
they must run the risk Of mourning such
stigma as these. 1t is not only
the scandal but fearful menace to our
civic life that such indiscretion must in
cur. The short-sighted folly of placing
such men as Webb in public office re-
bounds thousandfold to the discredit
and danger of the community itself. 1t is
the inevitable law Of consequence that
every citizen should bear in mind when
ever he is called upon to do his duty at
the polls. With the politicians who sent
Webb as At representative to posi-
ton of grave Importance and high honor
rests a large measure of the responsibility
for the calamitous ending. If man of
the INSCRIPTIONS character of Webb can
not only gain foothold on public affairs
but even attain such ascendency as to
constitute himself a political boss"
what hope can we have for the better
ment Of our civic life?
Despite the exposure of Webb's cor
rupt methods months ago, by the dint Of
brazen effrontery he remained, until a
few days ago, a potent factor in the
Republican party. Only two weeks ago
he was posing in San Francisco as duly
accredited and. indeed, a popular dele
gate at the convention of the State
League Of Republican clubs. He was still
an acknowledged and apparently power
full candidate for the nomination $ coun-
Gilman of the Seventh ward.
The pity of tho case shall not be the
leas. exaggerated in these columns be-
cause Webb happens to be a member of
the Republican party. In the Democratic
ranks The Herald has found at least one
running mate for Webb (and by a curious
coincidence Webb's chief apologist and
defender), whom it has exposed just as
relentlessly. Webb has already an
nounced that he proposes to leave Los
Angeles. The other man has announced
that he Is going to remove his residence
to San Francisco. Both are leaving town
entirely on their own motion. Nobody Is
driving them away. They have simply
concluded to go. And it Is best for the
community that they should.
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