The San Francisco call., 1899-06-19
THE BALLOT-BOX REMEDY.

7 HE CALL does not question the good faith OF
the present Grand Jury in its investigation OF
the alleged corruption OF Supervisors. But 1t
seriously doubts whether the inquiry will have any
practical and useful results. 1t is very rarely the
actual legal proof Of bribery can be obtained, and
the failures Of legislative committees and grand Juries
to bring corrupt mscreants to justice often used
to show that charges against public officers in the
press and elsewhere are groundless and invented
for sensational purposes.
In reality such charges are almost invariably true,
but although unerring inferences from established
facts they usually beyond the reach OF the courts
The subteties OF political corruption very intricate
and very deep. The agents used by the railroad mon
opoy and by other consprators against popular rights
to control public servants are masters of their bus-
and operate in ways which, though they can be
understood it is most difficult to penetrate Aman who
would give or take a bribe would ordinarily commit
perjury TO conceal the fact But legislators, Super
yisors and other officials often purchased and
induced to act in total disregard of their obligations
without the direct receipt of money The distribution
of patronage, the operation of which is being
illustrated by the heavenly twins known as Burns
and Gage, is potent agency in the accomplishment
OF dishonest ends. The results be seen the
necessary connections accurately discerned but the
interior mystery cannot be successfully unraveled.
1t may be often noticed that, about the time OF the
consummaton OF some transparent rascaity, the in
divduas who do the external work have mex
plcabe increase OF prosperity. Mortgages are lifted
Additional capital is obtained for business enter
prises. Profitable contracts awarded. The va
rious means employed to reach and to compensate
official dishonesty not efecually concealed,
and yet they cannot be definitely traced An eXpe-
renced lawyer especially in a railroad case, is often
distinctly aware that jury has been put up against
him. and yet although he can put his finger upon the
very men who did the job, he could not sustain a
formulated charge against them.
1t is their inscrutability that makes corruponists
so dangerous They do their communicating work
and absolutely laugh in the faces OF respectable ct
zens because they are impervious odium and they
satisfied that they cannot be judically punished
But vigiant press and an observing public are not
deceived. Their proof may be moral distinguished
from legal. but it produces certainty. No legislator
Supervisor who can be handled for dishonest pur-
poses escapes observation, and honest Supervisor
legislator is hardly suspected. There is very
little injustice done to public officers. If they walk
straight they sure to be appreciated and re
spected
San Francisco. it is we'll known, for many years
has been the victim OF saturated vlaines. The Hun
tington monopoly, with its innumerabe ramihcations,
may be the chief, but it is not the only Of
municipal corruption. The effective remedy is not
through Grand Jury Investigations that sound well
and accomplish nothing but at the primaries and at
the polls. Respectable and intelligent citizens, who
understand the situation and are ready TO perform
their civic duties, take and hold possession Of
their party organizations. This proposition is es
pecally true OF the Republican party. The thorough
bred and clean Republicans OF San Francisco can
sweep Dan Burns, the railroad push and other rotten
elements in their party into the The opportunity
Tor demonstration OF their strength and their de-
cency will soon be afforded and there is reasonable
prospect that it will be effectuay improved.