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Ch. 8: Metropolis San Francisco

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First Decade 221
The declared intention of the Second Vigilance Committee was to purge the city of ballot-box stuffers and criminals. To enforce law, it proposed to use illegal means—to hold suspects incom­municado, and in other ways to set itself up as the final authority. Its headquarters on Sacramento Street between Davis and Front was turned into a fortress (above) and received the nickname "Fort Gunnybags." Cannon were trained to command the approaches; the bell was ready to sum mon thousands of armed and devoted supporters.
But the tension gradually relaxed. After the execution of two more notorious murderers and the banishment of a few hard cases and corruptionists, the Committee wisely avoided conflict with Federal authority by voluntary retirement on August 18, 1856. Its best work was done after its demise—for thanks to its efforts, in the autumn elections a freely voting populace was able to sweep the old gang from office and by democratic action achieve necessary reforms in the city and the state.
Ch. 8: Metropolis San Francisco Page of 246 Ch. 8: Metropolis San Francisco
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