The San Francisco call., 1906-09-13
BOSS RUEF's RULE
IS THREATENED.
Muttering of Malcontents
Tells of The Uprising
Among His Followers
DIsTRUsT rs STRONG

Mutiny in Ruefs merry crew will
not be quelled. The muttering con-
tinues despite his threats. Discomfort
stalks menacingly forsthe city's boss.
1t Is all lively story of row, the
powerful man bitter in denunciation,
and the rebellious crowd nursing deep
est resentment and plotting secretly
to work his undoing
Not yet" SAYS Public Works Com
missioner Maestretti, chief of the insur-
gents Ruef is too powerfully intrench-
ed for bold attack. But history will end
for the administration boss at the next
primary election, declare the malcon-
tents. Ruef says the insurgents are
ingrates, for he takes to himself the
credit or having made them what they
are.
1--WE have made Ruef what he is
and he has made dishonest enterprise
Of his best friends" is the version in
reply.
The insurgents are convinced that
Ruef received that $4,000 from w. F.
Herrin of the railroad for this years
primary election. Not a cent of it
cf me to them for district campaign
expenses. Suspicion has been aroused
in many other directions If the boss
WEIGHED on Herrin, what can be the
limit to such audacity, they ask.
Ruef delivered the San Francisco
delegation OF Senators and Assembly,
r:en to Flint for United States Senator
In spectacular fashion at the last Leg
fslature. What patronage has been
received as reward? What faithful
Rref worker has been rewarded with
job? What easy berth in the Mint or
the Custom house or anywhere else
in the Federal service has been award
ed to any follower of the curly boss?
The rebellious spirits out of bitter
htarts complain there is no answer.
Instead of shower of jobs for the
city's faithful, the United States Mar
shals Office is filled from the San
Joaquin Valley. From Sonoma come
Surveyor of the Port. Ruef did not
hand out single fat job.
What inducement, it is asked did
Ruef receive from Herrin to make the
Los Angeles man United States Sena-
ter. In the light of recent events at
Santa Cruz, ugly distrust is aroused
L he boss delivers votes, but his ex-
peetant following gets nothing. 1t is
queer game of politics to do some
thing for nothing, comes the plant.
Unpleasant suspicious aside, the mall
contents declare that the boss has
displayed woefully poor mana cement
He has had the pivotal power and
used 1t in the election of Senator and
in the nomination of a Governor The
record shows that San Francisco has
been left out in a cold world on both
occasions
From the Board of Supervisors come
whispering of mood to rebel Ruef has
been handling the board with high
hand The members complain that
seekers of franchises and other yalu-
able privileges have been going to the
boss and entering into negotiations
with him. The orders would then come
from him how to vote on the measure.
There Is predominant element on
so sheep-like. They are men OF enter
prise of their own. They regard them
selves as fully competent to deal with
the most difficult propositions of mu-
nicipal legislation, and assert that the
Intervention of Ruef is offensive
The boss is accused of educating the
public up to a false understanding of
affairs. See Ruef," is too generally
the advice given when some favor or
privilege is desired. THE people should
come and see u.s." the Supervisors In
sist They accuse the boss of having ii
spread abroad that he is the one ito
see.' The members of the board would
like to have less of Ruef doing their
business for them
Protests have been made. but Ruef.
powerfully allied with the Mayor, has
laughed at them. The complaints that
the boss was ruling things in too
high handed fashion have only excited
his merrimept. The members of the
board do not relish being laughed at.
and the joyousness of Ruef has added
fuel 10 the smoldering fire. The board
is likely TO become unruly at any time
they have gone too far" says Ruef
of Maestretti, Atkinson and Country
man. and that is the very expression
that the disgruntled are applying to
him.
So far. the muttering has been in
dustriously concealed. Ruef is to be
feared and the crew skulks about the
throne. But the moment the oppor-
tunity is ripe, it appears, open mutiny
may break out.
ne malcontents have analyzed the
situation In business like fashion and
they regard Ruef as an easy boss to
destroy once the rebellious elements are
focused against him. They point out
that he has no personal following of
any consequences. His is a one-man
amiiaton,' that with Mayor Schmitz
Shorn of the Mayors support and
friendship, Ruef would quickly come
tumbling down. say the rebels. The
personal adherents that Ruef had an
pointed to the Police Commission. and
who brought on scandal and dismissal.
are pointed to as examples of the
boss's encourage. The district leaders
who have done noble service for the
boss are not bound to him by the ties
OF loyal friendship They will cut loose
from MIN on no strong provocation, 1t
is asserted
Ruef is on the toboggan and will