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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Committee_of_Vigilance

The San Francisco Committee of Vigilance was a popular ad hoc organization formed in 1851 and revived in 1856 in response to rampant crime and corruption in the municipal government of San Francisco, California. It was one of the most successful organizations in the vigilante tradition of the American Old West.

These militias hanged eight people and forced several elected officials to resign. Each Committee of Vigilance formally relinquished power after three months.

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"These militias hanged eight people and forced several elected officials to resign"

Sounded good, but perhaps thry needed to hang some public officals, too.