Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-06

recall were of great interest. Address
ing mis- first words to any strangers
who might be present he said: Despite
the misleading attitude of some of the
Los Angeles newspapers our citizens are
a brave and independent people, and
when anything goes wrong with us we
right it. 1 honestly believe that the
people of Los Angeles constitute the
most intelligent electorate in the world.
while / blush at the truthfulness OF
the indictment made by Mr.. Gibbon,
l am an optimist, and the difference
between an Optimist and a pessimist is
the former is like a man who is falling
from an eight-story building and when
he reaches the third story cries out, i
am all right so far The pessimist,
when given a choice between two evils,
takes both.
Is a Present Crisis
Now to the serious matter 1 am
asked to discuss today, the recall. The
program of the morning states that
there is a present crisis-do you believe
it? L dO-not only in this city and in
this state but throughout the nation
we are demanding better things than
have been doled out to us before by
our masters. Los Angeles is a little to
the front, but I expect she will con-
quer. 1 am looking for her to win.
For thirty years 1 have had some
small part in politics, and 1 know that
the best men do not control politics and
do not hold Office. A man cannot enter
this arena without putting on yoke
like an OK. Women, do you want this
condition to exist and to await your
sons who are about to enter the world S
activities?
THE president of the United States
in a recent state paper charged the
members of your congress with fearing
to appropriate money for a secret SER
vice commission because they feared
disclosures in regard to themselves.
And the congress did not dare to throw
back the Statement-the congress of the
United States took the insult, largely!
do we not need some means whereby
we can control situation such as
this? A few years ago a chief of police
furnished money for one of the lowest
dives ever operated in a city. The peo-
pie knew it, and still the man remained
in Office year..
Various instances were cited of politi-
cal corrupSjon concerning which the
speaker had had personal knowledge,
and then the assertion was made that
the remedy for these conditions lies in
the initiative, the referendum, the di-
rect primaries and the recall.
People Support Recall
That the people of Los Angeles be-
lieve in the recall and will support it
was the speakers belief because by a
majority of five to one they voted it
into the city's charter.
Mayor Harper entered into a con-
tract with the citizens of Los Angeles
to administer the laws to the best Of
his aDility-has he done SOP" asked
Judge Stephens. Should he be called
back for investigation and reelection?
1t is not necessary for this purpose that
he should rest under the terrible indict-
ment that is being laid to his charges,
but only that he has used his office to
further private projects, for personal
advantage or to reward his followers.
There is a new gospel to the effect
that a public office is a public trust
and that no public official has a right
to distribute spoils. A public officer
is public servant, and if he fails to
satisfy his employer, the citizens, he
must come before them again for re-
election.
''The coming struggle will be Titanic
and we shall have ranged against us
every corporate foe and all disorganized
forces but 1 believe we shall win
Repeated applause greeted each
speaker, and before adjourning the
meeting Mrs. Shelley Tolhurst, presi-
dent of the club, spoke a few earnest
words, pledging the Friday Morning
club to the cause of civic righteousness.