Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-05
THE COMMISSIONERS.

More Volcanic 6otSon-Audftor Mcdonald
Nearly OVersolsen by the Stream of Burn
ing LGva-R Ward and LVdidrd apparent
IU out of Danger.
1t WAS nearly half past 10 o'clock yesterday
when the meeting of the county commissioners
was called to order. A large crowd was in at
tendance, eager to hear with their own ears
every word of the struggle that was expected
to break out at any moment. They were dis
appointed, however, the hour of noon arriving
with no business of Importance transacted.
In the afternoon q larger number even were
present, who crowded against the railing to
catch the first word. The drama soon began.
Auditor Mcdonald said he had little report to
make, and proceeded to read a
long statement Of his case. He
demanded that the committee make spe-
cihc charges limited at in their report, and make
them at this meeting. He gives four instances
where he has permitted persons TO settle their
taxes for less than the full amount of tax and
penalty, and thinks he did it for the best III
terests of the county. BE repels the charge
that persons at distance have paid taxes and
the money was pocketed by the officials. In
conclusion, the report asks the committee to
make known all Irregularities they know of In
his office.
Now let us go back little and look over all
the facts In this matter. When the report of
the investigating com mittee was made q week
ago yesterday, charging the auditor with the
unlawful abatement of taxes, he sprang up
and said that so far as it related TO him it was
false as HI, and distinctly making it under
stood that he was entirely innocent of every
charge. But hardly had day elapsed before
the auditor made the astonishing statement to
the papers that in two instances he had made
attachments of taxes and penalties. Yesterday,
however, not only did he give two instances of
such Attachments, but gave several, and even
modified this statement by saying that there
might be other cases that he did not remem-
Der.
The next proceeding of the meeting was the
minority report of Mr.. Austin, member of
the investigating committee, giving his rea-
sons for not signing the report. Mr.. Austin,
rs the GLOBE reported last week, gave no init
nation of such report when the regular one
was submitted. He said then that he believed
some of the charges in the report were trne,
but did know about all of them, and so would
not sign it. His report changes this statement
somewhat by saying that no Investigation had
been made, and he knew nothing of the truth
or falsity of the charges against the
auditor and commissioner. When the reading
of this was concluded Commissioner Lydiard
asked Austin If he was not shown all the proof
to sustain every charge when asked to sign the
regular report. This Austin denied; but when
Lydiard repeated the assertion, giving the
time and place where Austin was shown the
evidence he bit his lips and said not word.
There is only one construction to put upon
this report, and that is that it was made for
party purposes and under the pressure
of circumstances. The proper
time for its presentation wss when
the regular report was submitted. The report
winds up with the assertion that if the charges
against the auditor are true, he believes more
of the same kind of corruption would be bene-
fetal to the county.
The ren0rt yraa ad0nted and 0r3arad rrintad
in the proceedings
CommissionerWard then handed the secretary
paper to be read. 1t will be remembered
that soon after the charges came out against
the auditor last week, that gentleman made
haste to give the reporters g
statement that Ward had received
thirty dollars for postage stamps Some time
ago, and pocketed the money. The paper in
question denied this point blank and asked the
auditor to produce any and all proof in the
Office that he received this money. The auditor
is secretary of the board and was compelled to
read thi. slip. Hardly had he read line before
he stopped and said he never made the charge
that Ward received the money, but that the
financial statements so showed. 1t has been
known for some days that the auditor
was backing water on this charge,
which he made with such q fourisb
of trumpets, and his attempt to get out of il
was considered fat and without any weight.
Thus closed this interesting meeting. II
will be seen that the officers and commission
ers are in a squsbble of no small moment
Wtrd and Lydiard have the inside track. and
sec,mIng down the home stretch splendidJy
4 ey have charged the auditor with the ur-
l wful abatement of taxes and penal
ties, and say they haYe receipts
to show il. He denies this one
day aud the next day admits it, and makes
numerous charges sgainst the two commission.