At first there was popular incredulity and disbelief that there was much behind the charges, or that much could be unearthed.

Then when the corruption was shown there followed a yell of anger from all directions, and a period during which any man accused was forthwith held guilty by the public; and violent demands were made by the newspapers for the prosecution not only of the men who could be prosecuted with a fair chance of securing conviction and imprisonment, but of other men whose misconduct had been such as to warrant my removing them from office, but against whom it was not possible to get the kind of evidence which would render likely conviction in a criminal case.

Suits were brought against all the officials whom we thought we could convict; and the public complained bitterly that we did not bring further suits.

We secured several convictions, including convictions of the most notable offenders.

The trials consumed a good deal of time.