GRAFT IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9072, 24 April 1908, Page 3

GRAFT IN SAN FRANCISCO.

RELEASE OF EX-MAYOR SCHMITZ.

The graft cases continue in the public eye, perhaps more so than ever, says the San Francisco correspondent of the Auckland "Herald." Affidavits from the prosecution and those indicated have been filed in such number as to bewilder. The lie has been passed vigorously. In brief, the situation hinges on the alleged immunity contract of Abe Ruef, the ex-boss, who is charged byjjthe prosecution with failing to keep his promises to give tesitmony in full, and who vigorously denies the charge. On March„9th the Supreme Court of the State upheld the Lower Court on the appeal. It ruled that the indictment upon which Eugene E. Schmitz was convicted for extortion was sufficient, in that it failed to allege that the injury threatened against the French restaurant men was an unlawful injury. Ic further declared that the indictment should have stated that Schmitz was Mayor and Abe Ruef the political boss, exercising power over the 'Police Commission. As a consequence, the exmayor now walks the streets of the city he .has disgraced, for there isn't a man, woman, or child who doesn't believe that he took money, that he sold himself time and again, and that it was impossible for the boodle Board, of Supervisors to staal right and left without the Chief Executive knowing what was going on and participating. While.the decision practically disposes of the extortion charges, yet there are innumerable indictments fnr bribery, and the ex-Mayor is out on bail of over 300,000d01. furnished by two millionaires of California. One of the papers commented on the ability of the ex-Mayor, supposed to represent the working men, to se-' cure such a pricely ransom for bail. It is belidved that Abe Ruef will also be able to leave the county gaol shortly on similar bail proceedings, although there are more indictments against him, and the figures asked will probably run over half a million dollars. What the outcome will be is hard to predict. The grafters, millionaires and all, have stupendous strength, financial and otherwise, ani they are purchasing papers in the effort to mould public opinion on their side. On the other hand, the prosecution has many friends, for there is no doubt that the right is on this side. All the faculty of the University of the State of California have signed a glowing tribute to the work already performed, and urge its continuance. Men like Henry Weinstock, one of California's merchant princes (who is on his way to New Zealand to study the arbitration laws), are standing in the breach, and the cause of justice must prevail. •