The San Francisco call., 1907-06-17
.CLERGYMEN SPEAK Of
CONVICTION Of SCHM|Tz
Laud the Work Done to Rid
City of Bribe Givers
and Receivers
PASTOR FLAYS RUFF
DR.. George c. Adams Says
That Fallen Boss Is
Meanest in Lot
PASTOR FLAYS RUFF

The conviction of Mayor schmitz.
was referred to yesterday in the pulpits'
of local churches as heralding return
to civic purity and presaging the res
toration of the confidence of the world
in San Francisco. 1t was the ex-
pressed opinion of the majority of the
clergymen, however, that the work of
the prosecution had only begun and
that more convictions must be secured
before the shackles of graft will have
been broken finally and decisively.
DR.. George c. Adams, d. D., pastor
of the First Congregational church in
Post street, delivered a forcible ser
mon in the morning on the subject,
What Is the Matter with the City,
in which he compared the state of San
Francisco to Jerusalem in the bibiical
time when the devastated city was re-
habilitated by Nehemiah He told OF
how this unselfish and patriotic bibli-
cal character came to the rescue of the
threatened city in its time OF distress.
built the walls which were crumbling.
organized the people and routed their
enemies. 1t was this sort of man
that was needed in San Francisco, said
the pastor.
In speaking of the conviction OF
Schmitz he said:
1T is a good beginning and let US
hope that it will be carried still fur
ther. 1t restores the confidence of the
east and the country in our city. l
feel sorry for the mayor, as he was not
wholly to blame. He did not know
anything about graft when he was
elected 1t was the college graduate
III al q
ming, taught Schmitz and the rest Of
the municipal grafters the game. He
taught them all he knew and then told
on them. think he is the meanest and
most contemplate of the lot. / Won
der that conditions are not worse. but
believe that a great step has been taken
in the right direction"
DR.. /. Curtis Meserve. d. d.. pastor of
the Plymouth Congregational church IN
Post street. said yesterday regarding
the conviction of Schmitz:
''The conviction of Mayor Schmitz
upon charge of extortion has aston
ished US all. We are astonished be-
cause it was not supposed that jury
would be likely to agree upon a ver-
dict. 1t is a cause for thanksgiving
that twelve men have been found who
were willing to keep their oath and
bring in verdict according to the evil
denee, in spite of the fact that the ac
cused is mayor of the city.
"A conviction for so low and despica-
BILE a crime covers this official with
shame; but 1t lifts something of the
shame which had fallen upon the city's
fair name. 1t is the beginning-only
the beginning-of a good work. Law
recognizes no social distinction in this
country. 1t does not put wealth and
education in one class and poverty IN
another We therefore hope for JUS
tice for many more men among us
The prosecution has made noble
beginning; now let us all stand by them
while they go bravely forward 1t is
cause for thanksgiving almost too
great for expression that men of
brains and character and resources,
have taken up this great work. / must
add that one sorrows for the innocent
women and children and others who
must suffer with the guilty. 1t is not
possible. for it is not right, to give,
over the earnest pursuit of the guilty
on their account. So let this good work
go ony until our city is freed from
grafters altogether and until grating.
is recognized as the mean and dirty
crime It is
Rev. William Renson, acting rector
of St Pauis Episcopal church, said:
What we want is results The
prosecution cannot go too far or too
speedily to suit the righteous people
OF this city. The conviction of Mayor
Schmitz is a thing we are all to be
thankful for and we will shed no alli-
gator tears of pity.
We have talked so much of graft
here that we have become ,complacent.
to dishonesty and have been accused by
people from other cities of being com
placent, This will square US with the
world"