PURIFYING A CITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8546, 1 October 1907, Page 5

PURIFYING A CITY.

THE CHANGE IN SAN FRANCISCO. (Per Mail Steamer at Auckland). SAN FRANCISCO, August 30. This city has "purified" its government, the former Mayor, Eugene E. Schmits, being now in gaol convicted of extortion, and sentenced to serve five years in the State prison. The Schmits Board of Supervisors, having severally confessed their "boodling," has been deposed, though granted immunity in return for evidence given against Schmits and against officials of corporations charged with having bribed the administration. The new Mayor, TTr. Taylor, is a poat and scholar, an eminent lawyer and physician, but never a politician. His standing in the community is unquestioned, and his appointments have thus far given satisfaction. Dr. Taylor is a mannvho would only have gone into the political arena at his ripe age with the hope of improving the conditions of his city. Election time is approaching again, though the conventions of the several parties have not yet'assembled.; It is as yet uncertain whether Dr. Tay-r lor will be the candidate of the Republican party or whether some more astute politician may capture that plum. Public opinion seems to be enthusiastically in Dr. Taylor's favour, but as a matter of fact the conditions in San Francisco are so exceptional in every respect that the events of a day can hardly be prognosticated. The Australian ballot system is to be used at the election, instead of voting machines, which have proven themselves capable of strange things in strange hands. The city is being rebuilt with marvellous rapidity, and on a vastly enlarged scale.