The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-06
BOSS RUFF one SURE WINNER.
HIS HENCHMEN MAKE Up BOTH
CALIFORNIA TICKETS.
WIN Own Governor aud Judges No MAI
ter which Party VIM Most Amazing
Grab or Power In the History Of Munic-
IpaI Politics -Honest voters Hopeless.

lpal Politics Honest voters Hopeiess.
SAN Francisco, Nov. 5.-To-morrow's
election will contribute to the most ex-
traordinsry triumph ever achieved by any
political boss.
However the election goes, Abe Ruef.
master OF San Francisco, cannot lose. In
any csse his Governor and his Judges are
bound to hold. Either Gillette or Bell.
Republican or Democrat, it's all one to
Ruef. He named them both and the people
may take their choice.
II is 9 unique political condition that has
brought about this amazing result. a oondi-
ton that could scarcely have existed but for
the earthquake and are from whose ruins the
city is struggling to rise. The earthquake
was NO disaster to Ruef and the gang he
frankly designated as Ruef's Ruaians.
1t was . foresone conclusion that the
candidate OF the Republican boss would
be named for Governor. and so 10 turned
out.
Congressman Gillette himself would hardly
affirm hat be could have been nominated
without Ruef's support. At any rate he
couldn't.
But this a~stoundingly resourceful boss
was not content to sit down quietly with
the Republican nomination in his pocket
until the time came to bestow it.
Circumstances were such, by reason OF
he local agitation against the incredibly
successful system OF graft that has
Rourisbed upon the ruins Of San Francisco,
that for the first time in many years the
Democratic party had a reasonable chance
Of electing a Governor. Therefore, II was
needful to make it sure that II that hap
'pened the Democrat elected would not
be hostile to Rhef.
To persons ~unacquainted with local con-
ditions 1t may seem like an impossibility
for any political boss 10 name the candi-
dates OF both political parties in the Guber-
material campaign Of a great State.
Imagine Murphy undertaking to perform
such a miracle.
Yet II did 1t. For years any candidate
who could win the delegates from what is
now the burned district OF San Francisco
could win the nomination OF either party.
After the earthquake and fire this district
became practically without resident voters.
But Ruef supplied them at the primaries.
Not for the Republican convention, though.
He controlled that anyhow.
His scheme was TO send his Republican
heelers 20 the primary polls in the burned
district and have them register as Demo-
Gratis. There being very few registrations
in the burned district anyhow, IL required
only a comparatively small number OF
Republicans turned into Democrats to put
all the delegates to the Democratic state
convention from this district into Ruef's
hands.
And this is precisely what was done.
When Ruef made up his mind that ex-
Congressman Theodore A. Bell would suit
him for Governor quite az well as any Demo-
crat eligible for the place he tipped the wink
to his boys whereat all the loyal Republi-
can delegates to the Democratic State con-
vention joyously voted for Bell and SUBJ
scribed cheerfully to the sterling Demo-
cratic principles enunciated In the platform
adopted by the noble old Democratic party
Of the State Of California.
The entire proceeding had all the SIM
plicity that appears in every work of genius.
The MO Labor party indorsed Bell, but
his Is offset to some extent by the fact that
both the Independence League and the So
cialist party draw most OF whatever
strength they have from the Democratic
vote.
Langdon, now District Attorney, is, more
over, a Democrat. But in this campaign he
represents Hearst and Hearstism alone.
Nobody thinks he has a chance. and il seems
probable hat with the Democratic vote so
split up the normal Republican majority
OF the State will save Congressman Gillette
from the wave Of disfavor that charges
against the Republican machine have set in
motion against his party.
But it's all one to Ruef. He has a choice
outfit OF Judges scheduled TO receive the
sanction Of the voters too.
One OF them is Carroll Cook, candidate
for the Presiding Justioeship OF the Court
OF Appeals. Ruef had Cook nominated
by both the Republican and Union Labor
conventions, and it looks as IL he couldn't
lose. Cook some years ago was a shreyd
criminal attorney. He had no standing
personally or professionally among other
lawyers; was in fact, sort Of an Abe Hu mmel
Of San Francisco.
Ruef picked him out for the Superior
Court Judgeship and had him elected. He
has been good and is now being promoted.
For years most Of the cases involving the
probity OF municipal officers have come
before him, and he has never disappointed
his political creator. Therefore he ia to
climb a step higher on the bench, using for
that purpose the people a. stepladder.
Cook is the Judge who had the monu-
mental efrontery to issue ar injunction
restraining the police from interfering with
a house Of prostitution in jackson street,
known as the Municipal Crib, because
several Of the city grafters were pecuniarily
interested in its success.
This monumental institution has proven
a phBnix and has risen from the ashes and
is still doing a shameless INC uproarous
business. Its income conservatively esti-
mated IL $500 a day.
There are four Superior Court Judges to
be elected. James v. Cofey Is renominated.
He has had a long and honorable career and
even the California boss hadn't the nerve to
turn him down. In the denomination Of
Judge Graham Ruef made his only mistake.
In the present graft proceedings Judge
Graham, by blocking Ruef's impudent
proposal to make himself District At
torney for the purpose Of investigating