The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-09

terly destitute Of feeling Of gratitude and
will violate his most sacred word. The
public knows that the Southern Pacific
Company wishes to bestow the Highest
honor in the State upon a gambler, lob
byist and cunning politician, who pos
sesses neither virtue nor a talent that
men respect.
The incident which has revealed this
new phase in the character of Burns arose
out of the suit instituted by A. L. Hart,
ex-Attorney General of the State, against
the Senatorial aspirant. 1t will be re-
membered that Hart sued Burns for Sz5,-
600, the estimated value Of Harris ser
vices for keeping Burns out of the State
penitentiary. Hart was Burns attorney
during all the days that were dark for
Burns. The friends and companions of
Mexican Dan" had deserted him after
his term as Secretary Of State had ex-
pired, and the finger of shame and dis
honor was pointing at him as at public
thief. Accused of embezzlement, friend
less, moneyless and powerless even in his
crafty cunning, he had no one to assist
him except A L. Hart.
Profuse in promise if not in perform
ance, the tongue of Burns wagged in
gratitude There was nothing that he
would not promise to do for the man
who had come so timely to his aid. Hart
was loyal and fought without prospect of
reward. His was an act of friendship, he
thought, and Of mercy. He defended
Burns against the charge of embezzle-
ment, and the artifices of the lawyer sue
ceeded in acquitting the crafty ex-Sec-
retary of State. Eleven other charges
were dismissed, and Burns, through the
mercy and ability of his friend, was be-
yond the shadow Of a convict's CELL But
Hart did not rest even here. He fought
his clients skirts free from civil fabil-
ity as far as he could, and then Burns
went his way to worm himself into the
confidence of another benefactor and coil
himself about another man until he had
stung him to death.
Hart rested in the assurance that he
had been more than loyal to a friend,
who some day would be able to make
some compensation for the immeasurable
service that had been rendered. The day
came when Burns was able to repay
something of what he had received. But
he had forgotten his promises. They had
vanished with the vision of prison walls.
He laughed at Hart for asking payment
of fee for service so long past. The
statute of limitations had operated and
Mr. Burns saw no reason why he should
be called to account except by the strict
letter of the law. He would give Hart
his gratitude, but not his money.
Hart was stung by this gross ingrati-
tude Even If the statute Of limitations
had operated there is no such statute in
a moral obligation. Hart determined to
take action and filed a suit in the Supe-
rior Court for $25 900. If nothing else
could be done the baseness of Burns could
be exposed. Burns received the suit with
the same insolent unconcern that he out
RACES public decency with an exhibition
of his aspirations.
It was not until Hart declared that he
would go to Sacramento and use every
endeavor to defeat Burns in his Sena-
torial canvass that Mexican Dan" felt
the lash. He cared nothing for his moral
obligation, as he uses friends as horse
men do animals. But he dreaded the expose
of his baseness, and he determined not to
pay his friend, but to cheat him. His
plan, concocted by himself and his ally,
Herrtn, has thus far succeeded. Hart has
remained away from Sacramento and is
nursing himself with a vain hope that he
has forced from Burns what should have
been gladly given in gratitude. Hart is
feasting his eyes upon the glitter of
gold brick. Burns has added deception
10 ingratitude, and the politicians are
chuckling over Mexican Dams" latest
exhibition of cunning.
When Hart instituted his suit he ap-
pealed to Judge Belcher for an order au-
thoriZing that the deposition of D. M
Burns be taken. The blood of his Honor
is said to boil upon occasions, but when
Hart asked for the order his Honor's
blood was some where near the freezing
point. The order was not granted. Hart
did not despair. He found another Judge
of the Superior Court who granted the
order and then the fun began. Hart
could not be dissuaded from his purpose
He was determined to press the suit and
let Burns shoulder the deserved odium of
his base ingratitude
Burns was frantic. He sought council
where he knew he would receive il. The
next day Hart was astounded TO receive
from the law department of the Southern
Pacific request that the suit against
Burns be not pressed as there was every
reason to believe that a compromise could
be made. Hart was perplexed He knew
that the law department of the Southern
Pacific Company is William F. Herrin.
But Hart could not understand how the
Southern Pacific Company had so quick
Iy learned of his suit, and having learned
had so quickly come to the assistance of
d. NJ. Burns. Mr.. Hart, in that particu-
lar is wiser now, although his gold
brick still CLEANS blendingly in his ewes.
Herrin and Burns, as a combination. are
rather too much for him.
Incidents came thick and fast after the
message from the Southern Pacific Com
pany. On the following day Hart received
a visit from J. B. Wright, division super
intendent of the Southern Pacific at Sac
ramento. Having lived at Sacramento
Hart knows Wright. The division super
intendent was not long in stating his mis-
sion. To the surprise of Hart the visitor
came in reference to the suit against
Burns. 1t was evident that the Southern
Pacific Company was doing all in it's
power to prevent Hart from taking any
action until after the Senatorial election
had been settled.
Wright made this very plain when he