Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-06-18
MAYOR SCHN|TZ Is
ORDERED TO Jail
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICIAL, CON.
vIcTED ON ExToRTloN
CHARGE, DENIED BAIL.
is NO BETTER THAN
ANY OTHER CRIMINAL
Sentence 70 30 Pronounced on Jane
27-Now Chief Executive Of City
in Name only-Latter Will Fight
to kast Ditch.

San Francisco, June 15.-Eugene e.
schmitz, mayor OF San Francisco since
1901, convicted Thursday night by a
jury OF the crime Of extorting money
from the owners of French restau-
rants in the issuance of liquor IL
censes, asked Judge Dunno Friday to
release him on bail until sentence is
pronounced Thursday, June ~. The
request was denied by the judge who
directed that Schmitz be taken to Jail.
The court intimated that the mayor,
like any other convicted criminal,
should be locked up in Jail.
Now Mayor in Name Only.
According to a statement made by
Acting District Attorney Heney,
Mayor Schmitz, being convicted, be-
comes mayor in name only. Though
unable to perform the duties Of his
Office, under the law of California,
Schmitz, it is said, stil retains the
Office. A few years ago a law was
placed upon the statute books OF the
state that convicted person could
not be ousted from Office until such
or court. AS cases move slowly on
appeal, It is considered Hhely that the
higher court would not pass upon this
matter until after the mayors term OF
Office has expired.
Under the charter, however,
Schmitz, by reason of his confinement
In prison, should he be sent there,
would be unable to perform the du-
ties of his office. Under the circum-
stances, the supervisors have no pow
ed to GUST him, but must select some
one of their number to act as mayor
during Schmitz' disability. AS chair.
man Of the finance committee of the
board, Supervisor Gallagher would be-
come acting mayor, leaving the gov
eminent practically in the hands OF
the prosecutors, who, If empowered
to install new officials, may succeed
in effecting extensive reforms in the
civil government.
There were five counts in each in
dictment against Schmitz and all
French restaurant proprietors. Two
were for extorting money from An
Tonic B. Blanco, proprietor of the new
Poodle Dog restaurant, which before
the fire was blaze Of light every
night in the center of the tenderloin
at Eddy and Mason streets.
Get Money in $1,000 Payments.
The Indicted men are said to have
secured $l,175 from Blanco in Janu
AIRY, 1905, and $1,000 in February,
1906. The third and fourth counts
were for obtaining the same amounts
from Joseph Malfanti, proprietor Of
Delmonico's restaurant in O'FarfeI
street. and from his partners, Charles
Kelb. and William Ma Frenz.
The first indictment is a. specimen
Of the Others. It relates that Eugene
~ Sthnsitz and Ahsaham Ruef OF
January Is, 1905. extorted from An
tonic Blanoo $1,l75 by threats thai
unless he paid them the money ant
promised to pay $1,000 in addition. one
. year from that date he would not OBJ
tain a license and that Schmitz am
Rhef would prevent him from carry
ing on his business. The seeont
charges that Blanco paid $1,000 OF
February 6, 1906.
Election Made Him Odd Figure.
Mayor Schmitz' election as mayo
of San Francisco in 1901 gave hin
a national prominence, as he was on
of the most unique figures that eve
appeared in American politics. H
was not Iaboring man; although h
led the union labor party He wa.
in fact, musician, the leader of tn
orchestra at a San Francisco theatel
= Although THAT was his profession b
had as an outside venture acquire
control of the Economist Gas Engin
company. When the Klondike gol
rush began in 1897 Schmitz chartepe
a steamer and took it TO the Yuko
as business venture.
Schnlitz became anied with unto
labor interests in 1885, when he We
elected secretary of the Musician
union, position he held for Is year
Statement Issued by Mayor.
Mayor Schmitz at first declined
say anything, but later, by the advk
Of his attorneys he dictated the fo