The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-04-25
NATIVE SONS TO
CLEANSE ORDER
Of THE GRAF TERS
Adopt Amendment for Trial
and Expulsion of
Ruef ct al.
ONE DISSENTING VOTE
Schrnitz, Gallagher, Coleman
and Boxton on List
With Abe
PROvISO FOR APPEAL
Favorites Of Crooks Regime
Fail Utterly to Pre-
vent Action
PROvISO FOR APPEAL
BY Joihr, Taylor waIdorf

Dy oosftt dyIOf w afdOf>f
NAPA. April 24--By practically
unanimous vote the grand parIor of
Native Sons of the Golden West adopted
this afternoon constitutional amend-
ment that clears the way for the trial
and expulsion of Abe Ruef, Mayor
Eugene E. Schn,itz and Supervisors
james L. Gallagher, Daniel Coleman
and Charles Boxfon. Favorites of the
schmIfz administration made an at
tempt to prevent action, but met with
little encouragement, and when the roll
was called John H. Nelson of SAN Fran
cisco went ON record as the only dis
senter.
The amendment framed by Judge NJ.
T. Dooling. Lewis F. Byington and
Frank L. Coombs was with their consent
altered by the committee on legislation.
No change was made In the provisions
for the appointment by the grand pres
ident of a committee of inquiry.
NO CONCESSIONS TO GRAFTERS
The sentences relating to trial and
of appeal from a judgment of expulsion
was added, not concession to the
grafters, but as precaution against
possible injustice in future cases The
amendments to the amendment are
tackled on the penalty section OF the
original document and read as follows:
Provided, however, that upon the is
suance of such order OF expulsion the
accused may, within so days, appeal
from said order of expulsion to the
grand parlor, which appeal shall be
received and determined by the grand
parlor at the next session thereafter.
If no appeal IS taken within said time
the said order of expulsion shall be-
come final, and if such appeal is taken
the accused, during the tendency OF
said appeal, shall be deprived of all
the rights and privileges of the order
IF the accused refuses or neglects
to stand trial when duly summoned,
the committee shall report him guilty
of contempt Of the grand parlor, which
report shall be conclusive and the pun
ishment shall be expulsion without the
right of appeal
RUEFvS FRIENDS FAIL
Friends of Ruef and Schmitz tried
hard to arouse a sentiment against taxi
ing any action at this time, but failed
utterly. Among the unsuccessful work
ers were John H. Rodgers, curator of
ha Cato
]. Lynch of Ruefs law office; ]. ].
Sweeney Of the San Francisco board
of public works; John H. Nelson, state
senator and county recorder by cour-
tesy of Abe Ruef; John E. O'Connell, a
member of Abes army of petty tax
eaters, and Assemblyman Nathan C,
Coghlan
While the amended report was under
discussion Curator Rodgers moved
around busily and did considerable
whispering. but none of Ruefs friends
could be induced to make an open
fight. Several prominent delegates
from the interior opposed the adoption
of the report, and each speaker made 1t
plain that he had no symapthy for
grafters.
Former Judge f. G. Ostrander OF
Modesto proposed an amendment pro-
viding that where accused members
were indicted or informed against nc
action should be taken by the board
OF inquiry until court of law had
passed upon the guilt or innocence OF
the accused. This plan received the in
dorsement of not more than a dozen
delegates. More than hundred voted
in the negative.
USES PLAIN WORDS
B. A. Harrington of San Jose wanted
permanent board of inquiry and ad-
vocated giving the power to try mem
bers to the board of grand officers. He
used plain words and did not hesitate
to speak Of James L. Gallagher by
name. Although expressing confidence
in Judge Dooling, the coming grand
president, Harrington declared himself
opposed to any plan tending to give