Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-24
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
AnOtIser Nest of Radical Corruption Ull-
edrtIted.
Washington Dispatch.

Washington Dispatch.
Several months ago Treasurer Gifllan
made charges of serious 4eglect against the
district commissioners in the issuing of draw
back certificates. These charges led to con-
gressional investigation. The result of this
work was laid before the district grand jury,
and that body made report to-day, seriously
rejecting upon the commissioners, while at
the same time it presented indictments against
parties implicated. The report Of the grand
jury says: fl
It became the duty OF the grand jury to in
vestigste certain frauds practiced by the par
ties formerly employees of the district and 9th
ers. That part Of the work entrusted TO the
grand jury has been completed, and the par
ties concerned have been arragned before the
court. During the investigation IL became
the duty of the grand jury TO request, through
you, the su spensiOn of Messrs. Geo. w. Beale
and W. o. Roome. From evidence taken and
records Of the commissioners the office known
as the division OF special assessments has been
conducted in a loose and irresponsible man
ner. Names to powers Of attorney have been
forged with carelessness that Indicated at
least criminal neglect on the part Of the OIL
GERS in charge, if not open corruption and
conspiracy. In one instance drawback was
issued on lot not in existence and under q
name that is not borne on the tax books. Ia
several cases names have been adroitly
changed, and in other cases the Ignorance Of
the torger was so great that he did not know
how to spell the names of the proper owners.
Persons dead years before improvement ever
was contemplated were brought into requisi-
ton by these forgeries. Orphans and execu-
tors of estates have suffered, and evidence was
produced whereby, on the express order OF
one of the commissioners, employees were al
lowed to make drawbacks special" when pre-
vious1y refused by the clerk in charge. No
business man would haye cashed orders on
such powers of attorney, so-caled as have
been issued by brokers, and on which thou
sands OF dollars have been settled. The grand
jury do not wish you TO understand that they
believe the commissioner referred TO was
aware Of the fact that his order TO make cases
special was playing in the hands Of
fOrger, aud in all candOr when you examine
the cases as we have you will agree with IL
that the business and system were carelessly
conducted; no check, no guaranty was re
quired, certificates bearing fraud on their face
were reshed with unseemly haste through
books. Evidence has been brought % our no
tice where valuable presents were made 3,
officers employed by The commissioners, and
that 10 was commOn rule for brokers TO give
considerations in order 70 facilitate settlement
of claims. The bulk of these forgeries were
not committed under the present district
commissioners, and it IS only Just to say thai !
when the commissioners discovered that for.
ceres had been committed, thew discharged
two ofthe parties concerned. We deem It our
duty to make this report TO you, in order that
you may take such further steps ard action
in the matter as the welfare and protection OF
the community demand. Thanking YOU for
valuable assistance and uniform kindness
shown, etc.
The report is signed by Joseph Z. Hodgson,
&
other grand Jurors. The district government
indictments in this case are as follows
Thomas II. Quinn and VIM. TrOxe'l con-
spiracy, three cases; VIM. Troxell aHt james
A. Clarke, forgery. three cases; Wm. IrDz'l,
forgery, twelve cases; Mary E. Oearey, fJr-
gerry; Thomas e. Quinn, forgery, five ca-cs;
VIM. Troxell and Thomas Fl. Quinn con7yir
acy; VIM. and James A. Clarke, cOnspir-c};
VIM. Troxell, conspiracy, tSo cases.
The names Of Z. B. Hay, Wm. dickson and
Edwin III. Rauch are Endorsed on most OF the
indictments as witnesses.