The San Francisco call., 1899-09-12
THE NEW GRAND JURY.

nth the impeachment OF new Grand jury
NNj there once more revives hope on the part OF
the people that corruption in Office will be
laid bare. dishonesty exposed and the wrongdoers
identified, indicted, prosecuted and convicted Such
boDes arise with each successive Grand Jury, and
despite the frequent disappointments OF the past they
continue sangune and earnestly eXpectant
1t the belief OF the people that sooner or later we
shall have Grand Jury that will not be easily turned
aside by seeming difficulties in the way OF obtaining
legal evidence TO convict guilty officials OF whose
wrongdoing there is a moral certainty. When cor
ruption becomes so open and notorious to be the
subject OF common talk, there must be some way OF
bringing to light the facts OF the and proving
them in court OF justice When bribery, the sale OF
official patronage unlawful collusion between Off
cias and bidders for municipal contracts and other
forms OF nalfeasance in office become ntolerable the
people demand action the part OF the law officers
for the suppression OF the wrong and the punishment
OF offenders Such condition prevails in San Fran
cisco at this time and it is for that the i'm
parchment OF the new Grand Jury is noted with salts
faction.
The late Grand Jury retired from office after filing
a report in which it was stated the members were
morally certain of the prevalence OF corrupt practices
in several departments OF the municipal and county
administration but were unable to obtain evidence to
convict 1t good OTanQ JURY, Dut II
did nothing. The people now expect to find in the
new panel good Grand jury that will do great deal
It may be difficult get evidence against rascas, but
il is not impossible No band OF official lnaves was
ever so cunning as to be able completely conceal
the traces OF its frauds Corrupt officials have been
convicted again and again in other cities under vir-
tually the same laws ours and what has been done
elsewhere can be done here,
The Call has already set before the new Grand
Jury matter which demands its investigation. 1t has
pointed out that Dr. H. Z. Gedge chairman of the
supply committee OF the School Board has informed
at least one reputable citizen that he received $1,000
for permitting the specifications for bids for school
supplies be changed in the interest OF particular
firm, and has also said that OF the received he
gave $500 TO his fellow committeeman, J. J. Conon,
who, he alleges, agreed to the fraud and was party
to it The prompt investigation OF that case is i'm
perative and It would appear that evidence sufficient
to convict in a court OF justice be obtained il the
Grand Jury unlinchingly and perseveringly seek it.
regardless OF any consequences those OF justice.
We cite that case because it is a part of the
current news OF the day Il does not stand alone.
The late Grand Jury claimed to have been morally
certain of guilt elsewhere but could ind legal evi-
dence 1t is the duty OF the Grand Jury to seek
that evidence Something than a general re-
port OF condemnation and expressions of moral GER
tainty are expected OF the present body The people
demand that something be done