The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-04-02
Chief Clerk, Vassal of Boss.
Is Dismissed From Office
Club of Graft Prosecution
Works Startling Change

The Board OF Supervisors has for year and three
months past acted politically and officially in accord with
Mr. Ruef but it has been decided by large majority of
the board to do so no longer Mr. Keane while very
estmable and capable gentleman has long been and is
still in political accord with Mr. Ruef and as the board
has determined to cut loose from Mr. Ruef hereafter it
was deemed better to have in Keanes place who
was not so closely in political accord with Mr. Ruef as
Keane Is Keane informed large majority of the board
that he proposed to continue be accord with Mr.
Ruef and it thereupon decided to dispense with his
services.-Statement by Supervisor Gallagher
The big stick has again been welded. The official
head of George B. Keane, Abe Ruefs closest and most
confidential political friend has been off, and the fore
going statement made by Supervisor Gallagher at the
close of the meeting of the board Yesterday afternoon
which the decapitaton occurred explains why the deed
DONE
Keane was first asked to resign as Clerk of the Board
or Supervisors because the Supervisors their agonzc
excitement to do what the graft prosecutors would have
them to do have at last thrown their former master
Ruef absolutely. When Keane refused to resign he
discharged bodily His discharge is an additional
price paid by the Supervisors for the hopedfor immunity
from prosecution result of their confessions of brb
cry before the Grand Jury They being good with
vengeance
Keane Shows Fidelity to Master
Keane's removal was not put through without a
struggle and only after than two hours of secret
caucusing the part of the discredted Supervisors
Keane called into the anteroom and asked point
blank to resign from the position to which he reap
at the Legislature State Senator The Supervis
thought that Keane would resign would the
necessity OF answering leading questions to what had
forced his removal But Keane proved that he loyal
at least to his fallen chief, Abe Ruef
81 will not resign today gentlemen would like to
have week to consider the matter
But Gallagher, who spokesman for the board
would not give Keane the time he asked When Gallagher
asked Keane if he intended in accord with
Ruef, Keane replied
II am for Ruef first, last and all the time"
AS Keane refused to resign resolution was quickly
typewriter declaring his position and appointing
John H. Ryan, former chief assistant clerk to the chief
cerkship Thomas B. McGnniss, assistant clerk was
appointed chief assistant clerk.
New Supervisors Oppose Removal
Before the meeting called to order District At
toney Langdon looked in to if the Supervisors were
carrying out ORDERS but left before Keane removal was
consmmated.
Keanes summary removal not accomplished
without unpleasant references by TveitmOe and
ONei the members of the board to the abject at
tude of their colleagues Tvemoe wanted action post
poned one week, saying:
sOnly two weeks ago Mr.. Keane appointed Clerk
of this board by unanimous vote. He is emnenty quail
fed for the position and all citizens who have any dealings
with this board will bear out in this statement.
would like to know what has ranspred In the last two
three weeks to the removal of competent clerk
who elected two weeks ago.
O'Neil demanded an explanation and Gallagher, who
looked ncOmOrtabe finance cOnn1ittee