Gallagher testified before the Oliver Grand Jury of the nature of these caucuses. From his testimony the following is taken:
“Q. They (the Supervisors) voted in the caucus and you knew how the vote would be. A. Yes, sir.
“Q. And they would be bound by the caucus vote. A. That was understood that a man would vote at the caucus in the way he would vote at the meeting.
“Q. You were understood to represent Mr. Ruef and Mr. Ruef’s views. A. That was generally understood by members of the board.
“Q. And whatever way you went meant programme. A. I believe Mr. Ruef told a number of them so, and that circulated among the others; it was generally understood by them.”
Keane’s lasting loyalty to Ruef makes him one of the most interesting characters of the graft cases. He entered Ruef’s employ in 1898 as a law clerk. He remained in Ruef’s office until January, 1902, when Mayor Schmitz took office. Keane was then made secretary to the Mayor. He served in that capacity until January, 1906, when Ruef gained control of the Board of Supervisors. Ruef then made him clerk of the board. At Ruef’s trial for offering a bribe to Supervisor Furey, Gallagher testified that Ruef told him that Keane should be clerk. Gallagher notified the other members of Ruef’s decision, and that closed the incident. Keane was, however, much more than a mere clerk. Supervisor Wilson testified at the Ruef trial for offering a bribe to Furey, that he (Wilson) owed his nomination to Keane. Keane was elected to the State Senate where his loyalty to Ruef in foul as well as fair weather made him a conspicuous and somewhat notorious character. At present writing, Keane is foremost in the movement to bring about Ruef’s release from State prison.
At Ruef’s trial on the charge of offering a bribe to Supervisor Furey, Keane testified that these notes had been destroyed in the great fire of April 18-19-20, 1906. Keane testified further that Ruef was a constant attendant at the caucuses; that Schmitz was an occasional visitor; that Supervisor Gallagher presided.