Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-24
True Story of Los Angeles
Gre1t Struggle for Freedom


his commissioners had been promi-
nently displayed as officers and share
holders and that large blocks of bonus
stock had been given to the mayor ana
his official colleagues. This was the
enlightenment OF the public intelli-
gence. There was no more doubt in the
mind of single intelligent citizen that
not only was vice protected. put tnat
Some of the city's highest officials were
business partners and boon compan-
ions of the basest and n 'st immoral
people of the Town. Harpies that feed
upon youth and innocence, vampires
that suck the life blood OF the foolish
and the ignorant, degenerates that
fatten on the vices of the people, were
plying their nefarious business safe In
the knowledge that immunity had been
purchased. Then the conscience of the
city awoke and loud was the condem-
nation. The report of the grand jury
In two parts; the majority report
plainly an effort to whitewash the city
officials, the minority report being
confirmation of the city's worst fears
added fuel to the fire.
Meanwhile attention had been d.
rected to the board of public works. As
formerly constituted 1t was composed
OF men whose honesty and efficiency
were beyond question, and the board
held the confidence of the city. When
the term of office of its president ran
out the public clanored for his reap
pointment. The mayor hesitated and
the people feared that he would fiji the
vacancy with one OF his colleagues of
questionable reputation. but the APP
pointment of Gen. Chaffee--a citizen
who held the respect of his fellow
townsmen-laid the suspicion for
time. The next expiration saw the adj
ministration in a position where It
fd1t nf itc and I'D KaTn. a
former councilman and one whose rec
ord justified the storm of protest and
public Indignation, was appointed. Not
only was the virtue of the city's youth
threatened and the city's honor jeopar-
died by the mayors criminal business
associations and operations, but the
Owens river enterprise endangered. II
the control of this gigantic undertaking
were to be placed In the hands OF ma
chine politicians, what could save the
city from exploitation? The subse-
quent confession of the mayor proved
what every well informed citizen knew,
that there was but one political ma
chine in the city and 1t operated
through and controlled the organization
of both parties.
Enter the recall! Some time ago the
voters by vote OF five to one incorpo-
rated the recall in the city charter. A
petition signed by % per cent of the
voters WAS HldHudtOIy upOtl liC NOhA-7
ell to call an election for mayor, the
incumbent's name to go upon the ballot
automatically unless he In writing re-
quested that it be omitted. The recall
may be defined as a democratic con-
trivance whereby unworthy city CT
ficials may be relieved of their offices
when they no longer hold the public
confidence. All objection on the ground
of illegality, characterization and Inn
practicability is the mere claptrap of
politicians who fear that some day 1t
may be worked on themselves. No
honest official fears the recall. The
whole question is Have the public a
right to demand an accounting OF their
public servants?"
A meeting of the citizens was called
by the Municipal league. and the league
was instructed to present petitions to
the citizens demanding a recall election.
The matter was taken up with enthusi-
asm. the petition filled and filed within
an incredibly short time and the cleo
ton set for March 49, Then followed
the nomination of George Alexander to
oppose Mayor Harper, and the cam
paign was on in earnest. The Express
and The Herald supported Mr.. Alexan-
der, and daily new revelations were dis
closed showing the completely of the
city's highest officials with graft and
crime. The other daily papers declared
against Mr.. Alexander. but the ex-
posures were so disgusting that their
defense was simply, I'VE are against
the recall" Seldom has a political ma
chine been placed in such an indefen-
sible position. 1t was in the deep sea
in the arms of the devil.
The campaign went merrily on. The
forces of good government forced the
issue at every point. The campaign OF
The Herald was a masterpiece of polit-
cal strategy. Revelation followed reve-
lation, proof piled on proof. until the
whole city was aflame with moral en-
thusiasm. The vicious elements were
panic stricken.
Suddenly Kern resigned from the
board OF public works Last week the
mayor himself surrendered to the Wig
orous onslaught. resigned as mayor and
withdrew his name from the ballot. BY
that action the contentious Of the good
government forces were proven, the
campaign justified and the recall prin-
ciple vindicated. The election of w. d.
Stevens by the council to fill the unex-
pired term followed, and the election of
George Alexandria man with a splen-
did public record-next Friday assured.
1t was singing rebuke to the corrup-
tionists, and the towards who feared
for the cause of decency; and 1t was
splendid triumph for civic, righteous
ness. Already the forces of iniquity
are scurrying to hide. and there is do
spair in the haunts of vice and crime.
The honor of Los Angeles Is saved.
The problem of our American de-
mocracy is the government of the
cities. Los Angeles has demonstrated
to the nation that the hope of American
municipalities is the combination that
has saved her-an enliehtened public
intelligence, an awakened civic con-