The San Francisco call., 1910-12-04

or of politics. OF his first duel the
book tells:
Again was Brodericks mettIe tested
and again was his life in jeopardy.
The occasion was so similar TO the
one of a year previous that it would
be facile TO conceive that they were
more than coincidence. Former Gov
ernor Smith, a man of distinction and
former governor of one of the southern
states, vilipended Broderick at Demo
cratic convention, in a violent address.
The latter was not then present, but
true to his nature. he replied at the
next session of the state senate, viru-
lently approaching the former official
Governor Smiths son promptly chal-
lenged. and Broderick promptly ac-
cepted. They met in Contra Costa
county. being thus immune from ar
rest, and each opponent emptied his re-
volver at the other, standing 90 yards
apart. Broderick. who does not seem
20 have been a good shot missed al
together. but Smith with his sixth and
last bullet struck the watch Broderick
carried in the fob of his trousers. The
latters skin was slightly abraded by
the impact, but the watch possibly
saved his life.
REIGN OF TERROR DEPICTED
Here is the cheerful picture of San
Francisco in 1851:
Every miner slung his six shooter
at HIS waist on going out of his abode.
In San Francisco in 1851 no one was
safe from assaults. even on the streets
Or in his home. Hence every one car
ried deadly weapons-the revolver or
the bowie knife. The number of duels
and personal encounters was prodigious.
From the day they disembarked the
new arrivals found excitement. A
month was a year. a week q month.
Each day had its own history both for
the town and for individuals. The
pleasures were restless, not tranquil,
/ and no one had leisure to be courteous.
Perhaps one man calls another a liar
and, nstantly-revolvers, shooting,
silence! The silenced may be an inno-
cent bystander rather than the half
drunken reve1er. The South Americans
and Mexicans favored the bowie knife.
1t was discreet, and, handled with
adroitness and dexterity, might be
quicker than the pistol. Brawls oc-
Cured nightly No one was arrested; !;
no one warned. except. perhaps by his
enemy The prison was a ship, and
the police too few and inefficient. But
the avenging vigilance committee
eventually applied to these evils drastic
and efficaeious remedies
WAS ENERGETIC CITIZEN
Broderick progressed in those days
He was omniscient in all public
matters, writes Lynch. as IL a
committee to send succor TO distressed
migrants-Broderick was chairman.
Was il a question of a new municipal
building for the city-there he was in
the familiar plaza, relic of Mexican
days, where all gatherings were held,
positive, brusque. intolerant, triumph
ant. He was a most energetic citizen
and nothing could daunt his resolu-
ton
He became dictator of politics. He
named the nominees at the democratic
conventions, and divided the fees and
salaries. He named the deputies and
shared in their earnings. He grew
rich. "Broderick from 50 to 54 was
the democratic party" it was said
Then he became United States senator
Picturesque. vivid. Lynch writes OF
the life of the early San franciscan,
and If you would know San Franciscos s
municipal heritage, would understand
the congenitaI peculiarities of San
Franciscos civic life, read Lynchs
book. "A Senator of the Fifties. In
one sense 1t is a clinical report on San
Francisco, but it is a most engaging
clinical report. narrative of romance
and adventure, of tragedy and of fate,
of San Francisco.