The San Francisco call., 1909-01-28
SCORES CALHOUN
IN DELAYING TRIAL
Editorial in CaIkins Syndicate
Newspaper Says Justice
Is at Stake
President of United Railroads
Declared to Be Badly
Advised
Special DISPATCH 70 The CelIl

LDPcctdi DiScotcl 10 ne Cal
SACRAMENTO. Jan 97.-The follow
ing editorial viii appear tomorrow in
all Of the Callzins newspaper syndicate
papers, including the Sacramento
Union. the Nevada City Transcript the
Fresno Herald. the Grass Valley It'd
ings, the Sonora Times, the Truckee
Republican and the Contra Costa
Standard.
The events OF the last few days
have emphasized in the Calhoun trial
in San Francisco the point that after
repeatedly protesting his desire for
speedy trial Calhoun, ever since facing
the court, has done everything possible
TO make a speedy trial impossible The
laws delay in this case concerns the
entire state Of California. because the
san Francisco scandals have attracted
The attention Of the whole country, and
IN the eyes OF the nation. whether We
ike It or not, san Francisco represents
California
What is actually on trial therefore,
is the justice Of California, hence the
conduct of Patrick Calhoun in delaying
by trick and device the selection OF a
jury is Of immediate interest TO US all
The question naturally arises why the
president Of the United Railroads OF
san Francisco. after declaring his de-
sire 10 appear in court and face his
accusers. should have suddenly changed
his tactics
THINK HE'S BADLY ADVISED
We are inclined to think it was
becs use he was badly advised Shifty
lawyers, themselves in fear OF justice,
because they probably are aware OF
The weight of evidence against them.
and young assistants, whose none too
strong intellects are not Improved by
8 round OF dinners and dances at which
Quantities OF champagne are .mbibeo,
are not the best people 10 whom TO
turn for counsel
Yet ii is 10 persons Of that class
that CALHOUN has looked Tor the con-
duct Of his defense. Take them from
she proceedings Of the court as re-
ported ia Calhoun's own organ, the
statement of questions asked one tales
man. What do you understand to be
the object Of the League Of JusticeT
A general moral uplift Of the COM
munity,' said Burlingame in solemn,
measured tones. ThereupOn the court
excused Burlingame- on the defense's
challenge overruiing Heney-
Vow here was a young man who
belonged 10 the League OF Justice, an
organization Of citizens OF san Fran
cisco banded together TO advance the
moral interests Of their city. He had
no prejudice and was absolutely con-
scientiOus and honest, Yet the defense
challenged him. Why, is Il not plain
10 Patrick Calhoun that the public can
reach only one conclusion from leav-
ing a man like that of the jury; that
conclusion must be that he does not
want TO be tried by honest and con-
sefont5Ous men who are anxious 10
uplift the cOmmunity's morals, ana the
lawyer or business associate whose ad-
vice leaves such an impression 10 get
abroad about Patrick Calhoun Is the
worst enemy the defendant can nave.
The public VIII reason II only one way:
THAT an innocent man ought TO be will
fnp TO stand his chance with clean
handed Jury composed Of L good ciu-
zens-
MUST QEIT QUIBBLING
Another thing tnat viii be noted
81 The reports of the proceedings is
-hat The defendants attorneys are
r..leSrioning Jurors as 10 the erect OF
40 frsulunitv from punishment said TO
lave been promised derelict supervis-
ors What has the question OF lmmu-
iitv 10 do with Patrick CalhounE his
contention is that he is innocent al
Together OF the crime Of bribery Of
amy member Of the San Francisco
haar6 Of supervisors TO grant the
F-rited Railroads Of that city an over
head trolley franchise. If he did not
do it, then. whether the supervisors
accepted bribes or not is no concern
of his The introduction Of this fea-
ture. therefore. by his advisers, while
prefudicial 10 his interests is also un-
necessary and merely tends 10 delay
the selection OF a jury. Whatever the
idea Of delaying the obtaining Of an in
reiligent. honest jury, there Is this
much i'm IT. the people of the state viii
support Judge Lawlor IN putting stop
10 the tricks 10 which the defense is
resorting. Il Patrick Calhoun wishes
10 stand up in this state he must make
good his claim TO a desire for speedy
trial He must quit clubbing