The San Francisco call., 1909-07-24
COGHLAN WILLINGLY
TALKS OF HIMSELF
His Life, Politics, Practice and
Views on Public Questions
Freely Given
Has Saved Eleven Men From
Moose; Would Hang That
Many if Elected
BY GEORGE A. VAN SMITH

date for the republican nomination for
district attorney No one invited him
10 become a candidate. or II he received
any such invitation he does not admit
it. He is a candidate because he wants
Che Office.
Coghlan has views touching the dis
tricr attorneys Office He says he will
be the next Incumbent OF that Office
He says also that be VIII run IL in a
proper and lawful manner In order to
insure the conduct OF that Office IN
proper and legal manner. Coghlan viii
dismiss Francis J. Heney from his post
Of assistant district attorney.
COghlan is an interesting figure. He
is interested in that figure himself, and
his interest is not Of the shrinking vio-
let brand. ether. Coghlan Is a talker
He has achieved fame as an orator. He
IS by no means at his worst when he
talks about himself Because he is
candidate for district attorney 1 asked
him yesterday 10 tell me something Of
himself. and his views on the issues of
the campaign His response was rather
more than ready. II was rapid. To in
sure accuracy in the reporting of what
hslts- Here is what he told me.
i am "a years old. Ny full name is
Nathan COombs COghlan. I was born in
san Francisco-in the fOrty-frst assem-
bly, district At the lender age of year
] was taken 10 a ranch in Napa county
There pitched hay and read Herodotus
alternately until ] was i years old.
came back 10 san Francisco then and
have lived here since.
Il sELF-EDUCATED
no. I am not college man. am
self-edUcated. What little education
have I owe 10 the libraries and applica-
tion. ] can not balance d straw on nv
nose. 7 am not 6 feet high; L am only 3
feet s inches. I was never famous as
an athlete I can not run loo yards in 10
hat, neither can I dance a clog or walk
slack wire. I have. however. entire
conhdenee in my ability TO secure
enough republican votes at the coming
primary election 10 make me the candi-
date OF that party for district attor-
ney."
We returned TO The interesting past
with another question touching Cogh-
lsn's education.
i studied law in the Office OF Dennis
spencer Coghlan said. II was admit
led 10 practice II years ago and have
practiced at this bar exclusively. I have
a
10 the trial Of criminal cases Many of
them were murder cases-sOne of ther,
rather famous. ] have made a speciality
or the study and practice Of criminal
- ~ have not devoted myself exclu-
slFely 10 The criminal law but that has
been most Of my practice.
Ny last murder case was The de-
fense Of In Wan. Chang. accused of
tle murder OF Durham White stevens
Japan's special representative in Korea
II was vigorously prosecuted. Jobn
Barrett and Judge Ferral were asso-
clated with me The verdict was ,,,,,r
der in the second degree and the sen
ience was 25 years Imprisonment. I
defended Scherf, a pOundman accused
OF killing one Schultz The verdict
was murder in the first degree He
received a life sentence. Nearly an
of my murder cases have been of the
most desperate character. These were
II in number, and in no single instance
did the hangman put the moose around
the neck Of any client. I would do
as well as prosecutor. 1 will hang the
next H. Had I prosecuted any one of
the II 4 defended 1 would have sue
ceeded in hanging him.
II ] am elected-snd will be elected
II viii devote nearly all my time TO
the duties of my Office There is no
use OF saying that ] think 1 Will. All
the incumbents Of that Office have been
obliged TO devote nearly all their time
10 IT,"
IF you are elected district attor-
ney win the graft prosecutions go
on?' / asked
A. TO CRAFT PROSECUTIONS
7 am not opposed to the graft prose-
cution any more than I am TO any other
prosecution" was the answer. II am
opposed 10 the graft prosecutors he
cause think these cases have been
conducted neither properly nor law
fully It would not be proper TO say.
nor could I at this time saw that 7
am for or against the graft prosecu-
ron, Tor / have not sufficient data al
hand 10 arrive at a conclusion. When
ever there is evidence which I as q
lawyer, deem sufficient to convict anv
person that is accused of an offense
viii be prosecuted vigorously and fear
lessly."
If YOU are elected district attorney
vii you prosecute the cases pending
under indictments returned2,
AS TO these pending indictments
ine evidence and indictments viii re-
ceive most careful consideration. There
are many OF them,O ,On the files and they
contain very grave accusations. II
ind evidence, as a lawyer. which min
warrant me IN proceeding against the
t,~-Ir--| INV clAAlSEQ i SnSll DO az
said before, vigorously and fear
lessly."
If you are elected district attor,ev
viii you retain the services Of Francis
j. Heney as a deputy and prosecutor.
It would be easy enough for me 20
plead sections 81 and 55 of the nensI
code II I did not wish candidlv fo
state 10 the citizens Of San Francisco
my position regarding Francis
Heney- The sections mentioned would
seem to prevent q candidate from
promising that he will appoint anv
particular person TO an Office, but they
DO not deprive the candidate Of the
right 10 name those who shall not be
his appointees- I shall not trim on
this question The electors are en-
titled TO direct reply. If am elected
Francis J. Heney viii not be member
OF my Office force"
why are you a candidate for the
Office OF district Attorney 1 asked.
HE WANTS THE OFFICE
Il am z candidate because want the
Office I have not been forced into this
bv my friends. / have more than 25
friends and I am going TO be nominated
and elected I have aspired to this