The San Francisco call., 1907-01-12
POCKET-SENATOR
Of RUFF IS IN
JEOPARDY
Nelson Draws Two Salaries
in Violation of Charter
and State Constitution
MAYORS DUTY IS
TO GUST RECORDER
Opinion Expressed That In
dicted Executive Dare
Not Offend Curly Boss

Not Offend Curly Boss
John H. Nelson, State Senator
and Recorder Of the city and
county of San Francisco, lords it
in his two Offices and fattens on
his two salaries in Aagrant viola
tion of the law His right either
to hold his seat in the State Senate
or to continue his indifferent ad-
ministration of the Recorders Of
fee is unquestioned, but his
right to hold two offices is
not only denied him and
every other citizen by the State
constitution, but in specific terms
the charter of the city and county
of San Francisco marks his dual
-offcial capacity as outlawry. The
charter says:
Any person holding any saEarfed of-
fee under the city and county, whether
by election or appointment. who shall.
during his term Of Ofiee. hold or retain
any other saIarfed Office under the Gov
ernment of the United states. or Of this
State, or who shall hold any other saIa-
ried office connected with the govern
ment of the city and county, or who
shall become a member of the LeRfs-
Iafure, shall be deemed to have thereby
vacated the ONCE held by him under
the city and county.
DUTY OF THE MAYOR
When men are holding once under
the government of the city and county
of San Francisco snd are guilty Of
malfeasance, or If conditions arise that
nullify the legality of their commissions.
it is the duty Of the Mayor, by virtue
of the power conferred on him by the
charter. to remove such offending off,
cial But Senator-Recorder Nelson is
the chief pride and possession of Abe
Ruef; he is the pocket Senator of the
the many the curly boss played in the
game of politics; the entering wedge
that finally permitted Ruef to break
his way through to the public trough.
to become wealthy. then infamous. then
indicted for many felonies.
Since his indictment on charges of
extortion. Mayor Schmitz has wildly
in his behalf by seeking to create the
impression that he had broken with
Ruef forever; that he had discarded the
stick that tarred him Now is his
chance to make good. Nelson. holding
office as Recorder. is violating not only
the spirit but the letter of the law. and
he refuses to step down and out. The
Mayors duty is plain. Recorder Nell
son should be removed and his success
sor appointed.
sCHOIITZ's NERVE QUESTIONED
But the questions are asked: Has
Nelson? Isn't all his talk about break
ing with Ruef a blum. and will he not,
in his anxiety to stand with Ruef
throughout their mutual tribulation.
violate the law again, at least in spirit.
by refusing to move against Ruefs
most cherished chattel in the upper
house of the Legislature?
Before the Legislature convened Nell
SON was asked if he was not aware
that retaining his seat in the Senate
and at the same time holding the
office of Recorder were not IN violation
of the Constitution In answerRhe said.
MY occupancy of both positions at
the same time is not unconstitutional.
for I maintain that the once of Senator
is not a salaried position. For my
work as Senator I am paid by the day.
The constitution has nothing to say
on this point"
NEGLECTS THE CHARTER
After making this admission that
as a Senator he is working not for a
salary but for wages. he ceased talk
ing. He knew nothing of the charter
provisions or. on the other hand he
probably knew too much and. being
Continued ON Page 2. Column