Perhaps so complete a reversal of spirit and administration was never before reached without an election by the people.  The faithfulness and nerve of one official backed by the ability of a detective employed by a public-spirited citizen rescued the city government from the control of corrupt and irresponsible men and substituted a mayor and board of supervisors of high character and unselfish purpose.  This was accomplished speedily and quietly.

With positive proof of bribery that left conviction and a term in prison as the alternative to resignation, District Attorney William H. Langdon had complete control of the situation.  In consultation with those who had proved their interest in the welfare of the city, he asked Edward Robeson Taylor to serve as mayor, privileged to select sixteen citizens to act as supervisors in place of the implicated incumbents, who would be induced to resign.  Dr. Taylor was an attorney of the highest standing, an idealist of fearless and determined character.  No pledges hampered him.  He was free to act in redeeming the city.  In turn, he asked no pledge or promise of those whom he selected to serve as supervisors.  He named men whom he felt he could trust, and he subsequently left them alone, asking nothing of them and giving them no advice.

It was the year after the fire.  I was conducting a substitute printing-office in the old car-barn at Geary and Buchanan streets.  One morning Dr. Taylor came in and asked if he might speak to me in private.  I was not supplied with facilities for much privacy, but I asked him in and we found seats in the corner of the office farthest from the bookkeeper.  Without preliminary, he said, “I want you to act as one of the supervisors.”  Wholly surprised, I hesitated a moment and then assured him that my respect for him and what he had undertaken was so great that if he was sure he wanted me I would serve.  He went out with no further comment, and I heard nothing more of it until I received a notice to meet at his office in the temporary City Hall on July 16th.

In response to the call I found fifteen other men, most of whom I knew slightly.  We seemed to be waiting for something.  Mr. Langdon was there and Mr. Burns, the detective, was in and out.  Mr. Gallagher, late acting mayor and an old-time friend of the District Attorney, was helping in the transfer, in which he was included.  Langdon would suggest some procedure:  “How will this do, Jim?” “It seems to me, Billy, that this will be better,” Gallagher would reply.  Burns finally reported that the last of the “bunch” had signed his resignation and that we could go ahead.  We filed into the boardroom.  Mayor Taylor occupied the chair, to which the week before he had been obediently but not enthusiastically elected by “those about to die.”  The supervisor alphabetically ranking offered his written resignation, which the mayor promptly accepted.  He then appointed as successor the first, alphabetically, on his list.  The deputy