The San Francisco call., 1910-10-24
Matt |. Sullivan Tells Why He
and Other Life Long Demo
Gratis Support Johnson

HE following letter has been sent by Matt Sullivan
to the chairman of the republican
mittee:
San Francisco October 21 1910.
Meyer Lisser, ESQ., Chairman Republican State Central
Committee of California:
Dear Sir: l have been a democrat all my life and
have voted for candidate for president gov
who was not of my own political faith l. there
FORE feel difdent about addressing you behalf of Mr..
Johnson, the republican candidate for governor.
have known Mr. Johnson intimately for many years.
At times have been associated with him in important
litigation and other times have been opposed to him.
know his views social political and economic ques-
ons which he never, through fear of consequences
himself, hesates express in public private have
watched his in matters relating the public well
fare of this city and state for years past and have always
found him the right side I admire his personality
and independence of character and believe him be
better representative of democracy than Mr. Bell
see that his opponent voicing the sentiments of the
grafters Of San Francisco denouncng him for the
part he took in the graft prosecution. familiar
with the history of that prosecution from the date of
inception to the present time know we'll the effective
work done by Mr. Johnson in bringing about the con-
vicon of Mayor Schmtz the laers subsequent removal
from office and the resignation of the boodng board of
supervisors of this city.
Through the efforts of Mr.. Heney, Mr.. Langdon, Mr..
Johnson and other advocates of civic decency within
year after the of the graft prosecution
San Francisco redeemed and its placed
in the hands of representative citizens.
1t is true that for his invaluable services covering
period of than year. Mr.. Johnson received COM
pensaton Its also that the compensation received
by him dsproportionae the value of the services
rendered 1t is further that if he had chosen ally
himself with the wealthy enemies of society, who had
debauched our municipal government his compensation
would have been times greater
Every decent citizen within this state commend
him for the, work he did, and honest will
denim him for accepting compensation for his labor per-
formed He certainly committed crime in accepting
clean money from reputable for joining the
prosecution of the worst gang of political pirates that
ever infested civilized community
It is the work that Mr.. Johnson did and not the fee
that he received that makes his enemies If he had
rendered the services gratutously he would still
be abused, and [ inclined think more vigorously
than he is at the present time, because the crooks now
his trail consttuonally opposed to the practice
of doing something for nothing and in their opinion
who does anything for the good OF the community v
without charge expense unfit member OF society
however. cheerfuly that all of the services
rendered by Mr. johnson connection with the graft
prosecution paid for.
remember well being in his Office on the 18th of
November 1908 Tor the purpose of urging him. on be-
half OF the Citizens League of Justice OF which was
then president accept Mr. Heney in the
prosecution of the graft Mr. Heney was willing
and anxious to have his assistance For various good
and sufficient Mr. johnson declined to accept
employment While discussing the proposition word
to that Frank Heney shot down in court
during the trial of Abe Ruef We at first doubted the
story We did think could be true Upon further
inquiry however, we learned the facts Naturally our
Indignation knew bounds Mr. Johnson then and there
volunteered to take Mr. Hencys place prosecution
of Ruef and asked me tooin with him. promptly con-
sented We shook hands and mutually pledged ourselves
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