The San Francisco call., 1908-03-05

OF san FRANCISCO, Stand1ng as a SlanCu
champion of civic decency and cleanli-
ness in municipal government has
openly denounced the merchants of San
Francisco as the men principally re-
sponsible for the attacks on the graft
prosecution in this city, and the ef-
forts to balk Justice and Keep guilty
bribe givers and bribe takers out OF
the penitentiary.
In a fearless and stirring speech be-
fore the City club of Los Angeles at
luncheon given Saturday at ele Hotel
Westminster in that city, Harris Vein
stock told his auditors some Of the
inner facts of graft history in tl--s
city and mercilessly flsyed the pur-
chased press and the citizens who have
aligned themselves on the side of cor
ruption.
Weinstock. who is the senior member
of the firm of Weinstock, Lubin
stopped in Los Angeles on his way
to New Zealand, where he is going as
q special commissioners to investigate
the compulsory arbitration laws of that
country. He was invited to address
the members and guests of the City
club on the subject of the graft situa-
alton in San Francisco, and his clear
analysis, keen grasp and logical pre-
sentation of facts won a stropg express
sion of sentiment from the citizens OF
the southern metropolis in favor of the
cause he presented to them.
NO MINCING OF WORDS
Weinstock spoke without mincing his
words, and when he concluded his ad-
dress was given a warm ovation. He
said:
The prosecution Of public graft now going on
in the city of San Francisco has for many months
commanded the attention Of the nation. There
n nth
American cities that have aroused widespread in
terest.
corruption that have involved high public officials
ana men holding high places In civic life. but
never before in American municipal history
has there been case where practically en-
tire municipal administration has been involved.
where so many men of social, commercial and
financial influence and so many great public util-
ity corporations have been interested parties.
Inere never was case of such magnitude
where private citizens were sufficiently inter
ested or sufficiently public spirited TO be willing
to dig down into their private purses TO the tune
OF $10O 900 or more in order to do what the state
vision TO DO, that is to create a provisional fund
OF large proportions to just such contingen-
eies as the one now presented by the city Of San
The magnitude OF the political corruption. fits
brazen character its uninterrupted hourishing
condition for stretch of several years its ali
embracing character among municipal office hold
ers, the big names involved among private citi-
zenship the remarkable character, the ability
lie prosecutors, the rare public spirit of private
citizenship standing behind and supporting the
prosecution, the bitterness with which the legal
oattles are being fought. the attitude for and
against the prosecution taken by the people of
San Francisco, the deep. widespread and unabat-
ing interest shown in the progress of the prose-
cution by the people of the nation, make the sit
uation one Of the most unique, remarkable and
aosoroing political dramas ever presented by or
to the American people.
This thrilling political drama has brought to
the surface many deplorable conditions.
IL has brought out facts that must be sadden-
ing in their contemplation to every well wisher
Of society and the republic.
It IS sad to hnd men in high public office
prosttutng their power to betray their fellow
eltizens. to barter away their reputations-all
1t is sad to find men of wealth. education.
standing and influence ready to sacrifice their
citizenship, their Character and all their higher
and better instincts for greed 1t is sad to find
q community where the majority Of its voters
have knowingly and deliberately cast their
ballots for notoriousy corrupt candidates for pub
lie ofnce-an for greed.
CoNDoNE SINS OF GRAFTERs
An this has been part Of the recent history
Of the great city Of the Golden gate. But after
all, the saddest thing Is to find men who are
rated as decent. law abiding, intelligent pre-
sumably high minded and moral, condoning the
dictment and prosecution.
II is not difficult TO understand how criminals
VIII sympathize with criminals. 1t is easy to
see how wrong doers will extend sympathy to
other wrong doors and win look upon public prose-
cutors as their common enemies. 1t is not diff
ncult even, to appreciate how innocent friends
and relatives Of wrong doers may permit their
feelings to get the better of their civic sense or
their spirit Of righteousness and when those
near or dear involved to have their copcep-
tion Of right become stunted blunted.
But Il Is not easy to understand how presum-
ably disinterested. high minded men will excuse
extenuate and apologize for what should be re.
garoed as high crimes against the people, as
treason against the state
It would be but natural to assume that when
corruption is found In high places, when men who
have. have ,enjoyse every advantage that wealth.
found engaged In bribing public officials for self
nsh gain, that all men of decency, all men who
love the state and who can distinguish between
their right hand and their left who know where
right ends and where wrong begins, would be
unit In denouncing the wrong doers and in hold
ing up the hands of the public officials and the
private citizens who are striving TO bring the
guilty TO Justice
Hard as it may be to believe It. this. however
mas not proved TO be the case in the San Fran
cisco graft prosecution We have seen presIIm-
ably high class citizens and high class journals.
whom We have every right to expect would stand
for civic righteousness, whom we would feel
warranted In counting upon the side of civic yir-
tue on the one hand deDouncing most vebe-
mently the private citizens and the public off
Gals engaged in bringing the wrong 1oers 10
justice, charging these prosecutors with fbe low
est and basest motives, denouncing them as enc
mics TO the peace and welfare OF the communifv
holding them up to the scorn and contumely of
ing the crimes Of the wrong doers beiittIinr fhe
criminal charges made against them Treating
enSM az peils more slnned against than shining
ana holding them up as martyrs to a vicious no.
ntical system. ~
This, to my mind. is the saddest and most de-
plorable fact in the history Of the San Francisco
graft prosecution.
ILLOGICAL CIVIC MORALS
It seems hard to realize that there are among
as those whose good opinions we have valued
whose characters have commanded our resnect
whose Judgments we have esteemed but who
nevertheless have developed such queer and
Illogical notions in civic matters that thev
are willing TO tolerate and condone In nnblic
Affairs that which nracffcnd In ~