The San Francisco call., 1908-03-05

holders Of such public utility corporations con-
demning the prosecution. not because 1T be-
iieyed the charges of corruption to be false, but
depress the value of the corporation assets.
and thus to injure the bond or stock holder.
EXPOSED THE WRONG DOING
we have seen not only bond and stock holders
o thu h b we bsH
also many others representing business interests
generally, condemuing in the severest terms those
business.
In the language of Roosevelt the answer TO
such as these might be made that the prosecu-
ton DID not commit the wrong doing. it simply
The public prosecutors and the public spirited
liable to err and doubtless in the course Of the
errors, for which they are subject to public
crluclsm. To have gone through great public
prosecution such as has passed before us these
est wits and the cleverest minds that the power
q millions can employ, without making one mis-
step, would have been more than human.
II would have been divine.
Inc wonder is not that the prosecution made
9n,seakes, 9sw but but that It made comparatively so
many seemed the impossible.
~ mas taken Mayor Schmitz and his prime
the strongest possible political fortifcations'
VINO had under their thumbs the sherif's office
the police department and almost every mu.
- Il has for the frst time in the history of San
placed him behind the bars and 1t bids well IN
the near future to give him plenty of congenal
society from among the members of his own set.
The prosecution has done all this and more
lt has brought about in the most mastery
MAY nscine wonderful t municipal revolution BY dis
municipal administration in San Francisco
with with which any. American citizen was ever
cursed, with what Is conceded one of the very
best administrations with which San Francisco
was ever blessed.
II the public prosecution IN doing all this
have shown evidences Of greed or lust Of
power, or selfish ends, 1t has not been made
! and cannot be denied by their unkindest
critics.
WORK FOR PUBLIC GOOD
They have given of their time, their ener-
gles, their means, and the best within them
Of san dres need IN whee ee S
world had lost all confidence in its moral
character. proven the citys Messiah. dragged
the world that San Francisco still had within
1t enough men good and true to send to Jail
wrong doing.
enemies against the prosecution were true.
Granting that the men engaged therein Were
granting that their motives were base and
unholy. how would all this lessen in the slightest
degree the crimes charged and proven against
the brfbe givers? When law breaker Is
brought TO justice the question is not what
is the motive or the prosecution. The issue Is.
has crime been committed; is the defendant
guilty as charged7 We may not admire the
character or the motives of the thief taker,
but shall we for this reason condone the theft
or permit the thief to go free?
Hence 1t is that the saddest thing about
the unfortunate spectacle furnished by the
great city of San Francisco is the picture of
presumably good citizens and decent men,
many Of them belonging to the higher walks
In life, condoning the recent bribe giving and
eondemning the prosecution because the brbe
givers happen to be men who have large bank
accounts, wear good clothes, are members OF
fashionable clubs, show evidences of good breed
ing and move in so called select society.
These very blessings and advantages should
make of them higher and better types Of
American citizenship and less susceptible to
the temptation OF becoming corruptors Of pub
lie officials.
The saddest thing about the many misfortunes
to which San Francisco has in recent years
been subjected is Its low moral tone, where
one should rightfuily look for the highest
ethical spirit
The saddest thing is to see those ranked among
the respectable finding excuses for rich Grim
inals. striving to soften their crimes and SO
to speak throwing bricks at those who, at great
personal sacrifice, are earnestly striving to do
their duty citizens and as public officials in
bringing to justice those guilty of high civic
crimes.
SHALL WEALTH PREVAILf
What is to become of our youth and in
time, Of our republic, If the crimes of the
rich, because they are rich, are to be handled