Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-09
RUSH TALKS ON
MODERN GRAFT
ASSAILS ELEVATION TO OFFICE
OF CORRUPT MEN
JEFFERSON CLUB OBSERVES
JACKSON DAY
Garter n. Harrison, Guest of Honor,
Unable to Address Democratic
Organization Because of
Throat Affection

Two hundred of the most prominent
Democrats of Los Angeles city and
county gathered at the Westminster
yesterday at noon to celebrate Jackson
day and honor Carter H. Harrison,
former mayor of Chicago. The luncheon
was given under the auspices of the
Jefferson club, a new organization
which has for its object the reuniting
of the Democratic party in Los An
geles.
L 2. Dockweiler, president of the
Jefferson club, was chairman. On his
right sat Carter H. Harrison and on his
left Mayor A. c. Harper.
Mr.. Harrison had been expected to
speak, but excused himself on the
ground of throat trouble. Mr.. Dock
weller referred to him as one of the
greatest men in the Democratic party
today, and he was greeted with an
ovation.
Jud R. Rush, Democratic candidate
for congress, who cut down McLacn-
lan's majority considerably at the last
general election, was the first speaker
on the program. To him was assigned
the subject of Modern Graft" and he
handled it well. In his talk he did not
refer to Los Angeles difficulties along
those lines by mentioning the city by
name, but he did denounce in un-
measured terms the policy of appoint
ing men to Office who had been cor
rupted before their appointment and,
therefore, could be expected to do what
ever is demanded of them by the ma
chine which is responsible for their
official existence. He also denounced
the creation at the public expense of
places for favorites. This he said was
modern graft methods.
All Eyes on Harper
AS thoughts of the appointment of
Kern to the board of public works and
of the attempt to create place for Jim
Craig flashed through the minds of his
audience, all eyes were turned on Mayor
Harper, but the mayor nonchalantly
smoked big, black cigar and did not
move an eyelash.
Rush referred to the cerruption' in San
Francisco and exposed some of the rot
tenneSs that has made former state
legislatures notorious
In introducing him, Mr.. Dockweiler
declared Jud Rush one of the warriors
of the Democratic party in Los Angeles
county and predicted his election two
years hence by an overwhelming ma
jority.
Charles Wellborn discussed the sub
ject of the United States navy. He
quoted from Jackson to show the ne
cessity for an increased navy, but coz
fined himself on the subject to the
needs of the Pacific coast states. He
stated in Jackson's day the coast that
most needed defense was the Atlantic.
The Mississippi river was then the
western boundary of the United States,
but since that time the west has more
than doubled. He said we wanted not
only Notifications at San Pedro but also
navy to protect the Pacific coast. He
pointed out the shore line between har-
Dor points is such it would be nearly
IN lind
along the coast as it would be at any
of the ports.
Pleads for Unity
Our Duty as Democrats" is the sub
ject of terse and interesting talk
made by Mattison B. Jones' In refer
ring to the recent national election he
said while the Democrats had not sue
ceeded in electing their candidate to
office he looked upon the result not as
a defeat but as a glorious victory, in
that the national campaign had been
conducted along lines, thanks to the
Democrats, that had resulted in a great
moral uplift. He declared that when
any battle was waged for the right as
was that of Democracy, permanent de-
feat was impossible.
In outlining the duties of Democrats
he said it is the duty of those in Los
Angeles to put shoulder to shoulder for
the great good of the party and the
cause and to forget any differences be-
tween factions. He expressed great
hope for the future in a united minor
ity. One Of the first requisites, he said,
is first class organization of true
Democrats, and the Jefferson club is
such an organization, he declared He
urged all Democrats to join the club
and do what they could to establish
permanent headquarters.