The San Francisco call., 1905-06-09
SaysCommissioner's
Mind Must Have
Been Rotten.
CASE NEARS END
Will Be Given to the
Jury Some Time
To-Day.
TALK Is TORRID
Budd and Byington
Have Frequent
Skirmishes.
TALK IS TORRLD

The taking OF evidence in the case
Of Frank A. Maestretti, indicted for
subOrnation OF perjury. was concluded
yesterday and the arguments began.
Iaestretti himself was the last witness
called. While he was being cross-ex-
anliue6 frequent tits occurred between
Lsi9zssfst Arr5u IRE s3--s=sytJEa Ea--eszss- ezr-
Governor Budd. attorney for the de-
fense
Assistant District Attorney FerraI
mace the opening argument for the
prosecution There was no mincing Of
words IN his speech. In a snappy, vi
rlle manner he denounced Maestretti
ano the methods used al the Seventy
niHth Precinct during the primary
election in question. Attorney H c.
Dibble spoke for the defense Budd
VIII address the jury zo-day and Dis
trict Attorney Byington viii close for
the prosecution.
Judge Lawlor's courtroom was jam
med from the rail TO the door when
Attorney Ferral rose 70 open the ar
gument for the prosecution. The Tit
tie Judge" began In z quiet. even voice,
pausing 10 banter with Governor Budd,
but when he warmed up" denuncia-
tion that stung and smarted poured
from his lips. Relentlessly he tore the
character OF Aaestretti 10 shreds.
AS Ferral stepped inside the rail TO
get near the jury box Budd took his
chair, remarking, I want to be where
I can face you, Bob
7 don't mind looking al you, Gov
ernor," replied Ferral. but I've seen
handsomer men"
There has been much outside matter
dragged into this case" began Ferral
Much levity has been thrown in, all
IN an attempt 70 affect this jury, and
ar effort has been made 10 laugh this
case out OF court But despite all this,
despite my athletic and vociferous
friend. the fact remains that this is one
of the most important cases that ever
came up IN any court.
''The crime strikes at the foundations
OF the Government itself The man
who attempts 20 outrage the purity of
the ballot. the man who engages I'm
what is known stufhnS, tries TO
prostitute the ballot, Is more dangerous
than any fOOtpad.
This crime reaches 10 courts, Judges
and jUrIes. IL paralyzes admfnfstra-
tiOns and makes seIf-government q
farce and sometimes n curse.
USES STRONG LANGUAGE.
That primary election precinct OF the
district IN which this defendant was the
boss was corrupt TO rotteaness. It was
stencil 70 this city and county and TO the
people OF the entire State
who appointed men Ike Silberstein
and Podd as officers in an American cleo
tion2 They could not have been appoint
ed without the influence of this defend
ant Silberstein declared openly that he
was appointed through the influence Of
Nsestretti and Ruef.
I'VE find whom rushing 20 wyman'e
rescue7 This defendant. Himself sworn
public officer, one intrusted with large
powers, yet he is the first 10 rush to the
friend becomes malefactor. friendship
ceases. Putting e premium On that crime
that IS whzt Maestretti was doing Wy
man and Maestretti are like the Siamese
twins. II you separate them they die
Perhaps their separation viii not be long
now.
II lay these facts down:
.'First-Maestrettf was the master spir-
IL the engineer, the boss Of that precinct.
.second-Naestretti in the wyman case
acted Ike a guilty man. In trying 70
shield Wynan he was shielding himself.
TEvnsn knew when he voted fraudulent
Is that il was done in the interests Of
aIaestretti. He would have Msestretti in
his power II he should choose 10 talk
'sWouldn't anybody under those circum-
stances erect a magnificent statue on the
altar OF friendship Friendship may cut
some figure II this case, but self-protec-
ton had much more 70 do than friendship
IN Maestrettfs standing by Wyman
Gentlemen OF the jury, q technicality
has been advanced by the defense. Pub
lie officer. gentleman, man Of influence TO
make that fght7 The thing wasn't done
before the preliminary examination. and
therefore he must be acquitted
When they made that defense I saw
that 4 was G dangerous admission. They
could not stand I'D and meet the issue
without resorttng TO technicalities-
At this point Governor Budd jumped up
and interposed sharp objection He was
rebuked by the court