“The purpose of the ‘burn the hammer,’ or ‘get-together,’ is, of course, to bridge the breach left by the Graft Prosecutions. And to this end we suggest that—--
“The higher-ups of the Pacific Union Club give a dinner at which Francis J. Heney and Rudolph Spreckels are the guests of honor.
“The directors of the Panama-Pacific Exposition elect James D. Phelan one of their number.
“William H. Crocker give a reception to such members of the Oliver grand jury as have survived the boycott.
“The San Francisco Post issue a congratulatory edition, commending the achievements of Governor Johnson’s administration.
“Patrick Calhoun offer to take Abe Ruef’s place in San Quentin for a year, and for alternate years hereafter, until they shall both be purged or pardoned of their joint guilt.
“These suggestions are all purposely addressed to the side which is most clamorous for ‘getting together.’ Since they shout the loudest for ‘harmony,’ presumably they are the ones who want it. The way to get it is first to put away their own implements of discord. And no better pledges of intent to do this could be conceived than are contained in the suggestions here offered.”
The machine-free press of the State, however, openly insisted that it would be a good thing if full publicity of the United Railroads expenditures could be had.
“What the missing books might contain of an interesting sort,” said The Sacramento Bee in discussing the incident, “may be gathered from a ‘list of expenses’ submitted by Calhoun in lieu of the books, including an item of $314,000 to Patrick Calhoun for ‘services rendered.’