The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
WORK OF CRAFTS
FOES APPLAUDED
Leading Men Attend First Pub
lie Meeting of Citizens
League of Justice
Speakers Voice Encouragement
to Men Who Are Prose-
cutting Looters


still in force and effect" declared Wal
ter Macarthur, editor of the Coast Sea-
mems journal, at the first public gath
ering Of the members of the Citizens
league of justice, which was held last
evening In it's assembly room on the
second floor of the Pacific building, at
Market and Fourth streets.
Whether 1t is or not, would have 1t
made applicable to the men who have
grated in this city. 1 would have 1T
amended to read:
Thou shalt not steal from the pub
lie
Thou shalt not steal public fran
chise.'
Thou shalt mot steal an overhead
trolley franchise
Thou shalt not steal the peoples
life and light by charging 81 for IS
cent gas
More than $50 active public spirited
citizens were present at the meeting,
filing the commodious rooms to over
flowing, following the speakers with
the utmost interest and expressing the
heartiest sympathy with the work of
the graft prosecution.
OUTLINES LEAGUES WORK
Matt L Sullivan, president of the
league, presided, and Prof, George H.
Boke, secretary manager of the organi-
zation, made the chief speech of the
evening, outlining the work of the
league and reporting that a committee
of representative citizens, acting with
the Ieague, would present to the public
soon complete report on the progress
of the graft prosecution. Professor
Boke said that the purpose of the
league was to further the cause of
justice and that it was not working for
individuals. During the evening the
highest tributes were paid to Francis
J. Heney and Rudolph Spreckels for the
work they had done to clean the city
of corruption, and every mention of
their names was received with loud
cheers.
Boke paid a high tribute to Heney in
the course of his speech He said:
The league stands for the cause of
justice more than for the men who may
be engaged in the fight, but recently
committee had an interview with Mr..
Heney. can say that the league
stands firm in the belief in the integ-
rity and honesty of Heney as a man
who is fighting for the cause. We
found out that Mr.. Heney had fought
for the people for a year and a half
and had received not a cent of salary
for his labor and had even given OF his
own money to aid in carrying on the
work he had undertaken. He had lost
HIS law pEdCllCS ana the opportunities
of building up a larger practice. and
all without remuneration. And further
more, he had taken the risk of his
own life. We believe that a man who
viii do that stands as a good servant of
the cause"
In his address Boke said that he be-
lieved that the citizens Of San Fran
cisco stood for one thing-honest citf-
zenship.
sSTo etaod oee 80 ..s.
who are fighting for the cause" he said.
is to undermine the cause itself, and
TO undermine the city. The purpose of
the league is to form a clearing house
or citizenship. We are not organized
Tor the support of the graft prosecution
alone. but for the cause of the city"
Professor Boke concluded his ad-
dress by reading from an open letter
addressed by the league to San Fran
ciscans, in which the pertinent stems
OF the graft situation were reviewed.
The address was greeted with loud
applause.
MACARTHUR'S PLAIN TALK
Walter Macarthur followed Boke on
the moor. The labor editor said that
the league of justice was organized
for the purpose of demonstrating the
one fact-"the innocence or guilt of
the men who stood before the bar of
eS0 Will ulRn crimes and
misdemeanors. If the indictments are
permitted to drop" he continued, I'VE
go down with them, convicted as par
ticeps crtminis. / do not propose TO
stand convicted before the world as
being in sympathy with grafters."
John Sweeney, president of the San
francisco labor council, spoke strong
ly for the conviction of the grafters
and Rev. c. M. Lathrop, rector of the
Church of the Advent said that
cesspool had been discovered under the
city and must be cleaned up p r
Dundon, member of the merchants
association, and D. S. Hutchins also
spoke, the latter making a peculiarly
rugged address. in which he declared
that enthusiasm must be stirred up for
the cause of justice. He paid a high
tribute to Heney and SpreckeIs.
Next Monday morning at II o,cloclr
the clergy branch of the citizens'
league of justice will hold a mass
meeting In Wesley Methodist church
at hayes and Buchanan streets. TO
which have been invited all clergymen
in the city.
The citizens league of Justice has a
strong membership now and expects
large accessions to its ranks when its
platform of principles is made nuhlic
The executive committee of the league
is composed of Matt L Sullivan. George
II. Boke, Barclay Henley, Rev q M
Lathrop, Walter Macarthur. John
Sweeney, w. H Payson and William
Kent.