The San Francisco call., 1907-03-28


dishonor. He is within the shadow of
death and it was his desire to make
what amends he could in the time that
remains TO him. He was accompanied
into the witness-room by his physician
DR.. A. J. Villain of Palo Alto. He had
been brought from the home of his
brother in the college town by DR.. Vii
lain and two nurses.
RELIEVES MIND OF SORDID LOAD
Sanderson was taken 70 the jury-room
in an automobile by William ]. Burns.
AS he walked up the stairs with the
assistance OF the physician the news
paper men. who usually crowd about
the witnesses for interviews. observing
his haggard appearance, fell back as
he passed.
1t was $50 o'clock when he entered
the room. He was the last witness of
the day. He took the stand at once
and, hardly waiting for the question,
recited the story of his downfall. His
voice choked at first, but it later gath
cred strength. He faltered at times,
but resumed and told his story to the
end. AS he talked tears welled TO his
eyes. Members Of the jury looked sad
ly upon the pathetic figure before
them. Sanderson's confession was made
in less than fifteen minutes. AS its
conclusion his face lighted up with
sudden JOY.
SHAKE HAND OF EMACIATED MAN
With Sanderson's testimony the ses-
sion of the Grand Jury was adjourned.
Members of the body whom he had
known and who had known his father
before him crowded about him and
the room he appeared to have secured
new strength. He walked with a freer
step and spoke cordially with the news
paper men.
YES, it's all true" he said. There
is little 10 add. You have printed the
story. It's all true" After exchanging
a few words with his physician he en-
tered the automobile again with Burns
and after rest was taken to the depot
at Seventh and Townsend streets, where
he boarded the train, in company with
his nurses and physician, and went to
Palo Alto.
Although Sanderson made his formal
confession yesterday. he had previously
committed to writing the entire story
of his transactions as member of the
Board of Supervisors Sanderson was
the first man of the board to repent
His has been an honored family. His
father was a mayor of San Francisco
and a leader in the commercial and
cial life of the city. When young San
derson entered politics he was greeted
with enthusiasm by the voters, who be-
lieved that he had decided to serve his
city as his father had.
FIGHT TRUST CHATTEL
Sanderson was member of the last
Board of Supervisors. In the last cam
paign he was upon both the fusion and
the Union Labor tickets and was elect
ed by a large majority. He was one
Of men the
board and was made chairman Of the
police committee. 1t fell to the police
committee to deal with the prizehght
promoters. The fight trust was formed
and Abe Ruef persuaded Sanderson to
join in the initial graft of the board.
The permits for the entire year were
awarded to the trust and each of the
Supervisors received $500. Ruef told
them it Eas Campaign money and
then Ruef winked. Sanderson took the
Campaign money and thereafter he
was in Ruefs hands. Ruef held this
campaign" gift over Sanderson as a
whip.
Sanderson continued to act on the
Board until late in the year, when the
worry incident to exposures of corrup
ton coupled with the dread disease
which had attacked his lungs, so af-
fected his health that he was forced
to go first to Los Angeles and from
there to Arizona. The change of eli
mate has not produced beneficial re-
suits, for the Supervisor yesterday was
but shadow of his former self.
When the announcement was first
made that an investigation was to be
made into civic conditions in San Fran
cisco Sanderson was placed in COM
munication with the prosecution. He
had been a schoolmate of Francis J.
Heney. AS boys they had been Billy
and Frank" Sanderson gave Heney
and Burns an early look into the mass
Of corruption. While in Los Angeles
and Arizona Sanderson kept constant
ly in touch with the District Attorneys
office.
"HORRIBLE,v SANDERSON SAYS
A few weeks ego. when the Super
Visors learned that the Jig was up and
announced their Willingness to confess
before the Grand Jury, Sanderson re-
turned from Arizona and took up his