Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-19
THUGS THREATEN LIFE
OF GRAND JURYMAN
Wesley Clark Annoyed by Anonymous
Letters Attempting to lntimidate
the Lea1er of Minority
Reporters

That Wesley Clark has received
twenty-five letters threatening his life
and property If he did not desist in his
present attitude toward vice protection
and the recall, was the statement made
at an Alexander meeting at Korbell
hall in Boyle Heights last night by B.
p. Welch. Mr.. Clarks name was not
directly named by the speaker, but his
references were so direct that no one
in the audience misunderstood the ref
erence. That 1t meant Mr.. Clark was
later confirmed by a leading member
of the recall committee.
zone of those Six" said Mr.. WEIGH,
referring to the statement of a min
orfty of the last grand jury, received
twenty-five letters which were deliv-
cred to him, not sent through the mails,
but handed to him by special messen-
ger These messengers have hurried up
to that man on the street, having evil
IDENTIFY had him pointed out by some
one, asked him a question as to his
identity, and darted away after thrust
ing an envelope into his hands. The
gentlemen to whom I refer now has on
his desk twenty-five letters threatening
his life and the destruction of his
property If he dared. to stand for his
opinions. They haven't scared him out
as yet, however"
Newspaper Leads in Threats
George Alexander in his speech at
Korbell hall also referred to the bully
ing and intimidating tactics of the OPP
ponents of the recall movement.
zone of the newspapers working
against this movement told us nobody
would dare to take the nomination"
said Mr. Alexander. "They notified
those concerned that any man taking
the nomination would be covered with
slime from that paper. They said the
nominees acts from boyhood up would
be searched for matter to be published
against him.
"They thought they had everybody
scared out. 1t rather stunned them to
learn that man who had been eight
years in office had dared to accept the
responsibility Personally, I didn't
want to take the nomination. 1 was
willing to retire, and I wanted to rest
a while. But the challenge came and
the call was made. and took it up. I
responded with the same feeling that
I answered the country's call in time
of war. Then it was the nation, now
it is the city. but the feeling of patriot
ism is as strong in me today as it was
then.
"They have tried their mud throwing,
bu' haven't so far been able to make
any of 1t stick. You can very plainly
see that some papers of this city have
peen aIter me with microscope,
searching closely for spots in my rec
ord. Well, 1 am able to stand up
straight as ever l did, and to say to
them, Go to 1t, gentlemen
my record on the board Of super
visors is an open book I am not
ashamed to stand on 1t. and everybody
knows where 1 will be found IL I am
elected mayor. They charge that am
a straw man. All that the committee
who asked me to take the nomination
has ever asked of me is simply, We
only ask that you will do just as you
did on the board of supervisors I am
willing to make that promise to you; I
have made no promise that I am not
willing to make openly to the voters of
Los Angeles. Sho-v me the man who
says he can boss me; show me the boss
who has ever led or ever will lead me-.
No man can boss me, and 1 will not