Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-27

ed, All but the Test.
An important meeting of the Fort Smell
ling bridge commission was held yesterday
morning, signaliz' d by a dignified state
ment from Mayor Dawson, in which he ad-
ministered just and scathing rebuke to the
persons who have assailed the acts of the
commission by most cowardly misstate-
ment and entirely unwarranted perversion
of the true facts to the premises. There
were present Messrs. Lindeke and Knaphide,
Mr.. Cochran being absent on trip to New
York.
The following communication was read
from MIR. G. f. Dslano, and placed on file:
ST.. PAUL, Jan. "a, 1880.
DEAR SIR: We have your letter of this date
in which you inquire. did you receive $3.50
or any other sum for drawing contract between
Horton & Co. and bridge COMMISSIONER" In
reply we have the honor to inform III that we
never drew any contract for Horton & Co. be-
tween them and the bridge commissioners or
anybody else; consequently we lever received
a cent from them for drawing any such con-
tract. We have never rendered any services
for Horton 4 Co. Of any kind except in the
matter of the late mandarin against the coun-
ty treasurer. Yours very truly.
DAVIS OBa1EN & WILSON,
It was stated by MIR. Dawson that the first
contract with Bentley & Co. had been drawn
outside for the reason that at the time of its
contamination Mr.. Rogers, the county at
torney, was absent On his wedding tour.
Mayor Dawson then proceeded to read an
explanatory statement in REPUTATION of
the Unjust charges made to county treasurer
Rice in an interview with Pioneer Press
reporter. concerning the alleged irregulari-
ties of the commission. The article refer
red to appeared in the st. Paul department of
the double-ender few days since and is
known as the fraud diatribe from its sub
head captions of CYLINDERS" duly classified.
The statement was promised with reference
to the article which was read by Mayor Daw-
son, in the course of which lie remarked that
any statement that might be made would be
based entirely upon facts. In referring 10
the paragraph which speaks of the INSULT
cheney of the security FURNISHED by a certain
banking institution, his honor remarked that
while not required by law, the firm of Daw-
sou & Co. had furnished bonds for the Sc
curity of deposits in the sum of 100000.
1t was also remarked en- passant HAT one
member of the anking firm paid more pri-
vate taxes that the German American or
Merchants National banks put together.
The bill of $104.33, passed by the COM
mission and referred to in the interview as
not bearing Mr.. Cochran's signature. was
produced and shown to the members of the
press, who are ready to attest that it bears
that gentleman Lame in his own hand
writing.
DAWSON REPRIMANDS RICE.
Mr.. Dawson then proceeded to resd the
following scathing rebuke:
Gentlemen of the Press.
am forced to assume position which is to
me very unpleasant One-a personal vlndi-
cation from. personal attack, and l now de-
sire to make this taiement to you. l think
you have perfect right to criticise me as a
publ officer. But In all fairs%ss, think you
onght u follow riIis maxim: Know you are
right and then go ahead and ask you is it
fair right to follow the example of the PiO-
neer Press reporter to publish ralsehoods and
ISLANDERS, upon the authority of an irrespon-
sible party. When l first prepared these
notes, L had had an entirely different line of
defense from the attack upon me by this man.
But happily the court has yindicated the out
ragged law and freed Ramsey county from the
lone man power"
l will not strike a vanquished foe. My re-
marks then will be for my own vindication
Among public men, in discussing public af
fairs. it Ia the usual custom not Co drag in each
others private business. Gentlemen never do
this.
The county treasurer has seen fit to drag in
nv private business. l will not follow his ex-
ample. But in passing, may remark that.
after residence of twenty years in st. Paul,
even in personal integrity and private affairs,
huxy TO- OH Ipty mari m
with this man.
In 1865 was elected alderman from the
Fourth ward of this city, and afterwards serv-
ed my term of three years. When my term
was up, / retired from public life with the full
determination of never entering it again. In
three years learned that the very men that l
helped to prevent from robbing the treasury,
were the very ones who abused me and accused
me of using my Office for private benefit. In
1876 a vacancy occurred in the Second ward,
by the resignation of Alderman Demeules.
Without my knowledge or consent the COM
nun council elected me to fill the vacancy;
which honor l promptly declined.
Soon after I received communication writ
ten by Gen. II. II. Slbley, in which occur these
words.
Having full confidence in your integrity,
ability and experience, the undersigned, your
neIgnbOrs and fellow citizens, respectfully re-
quest that you will not decline to serve alder
man, to which honorable position you have
been elected by such fattering vnte, but that
you will make this sacrifice of your per-
sonal ease and private interest to the public
gond."
This paper was signed by b. 81. Sibley, Hor-
ace Thompson, Maurice Auerbach, Z. F. Drake,
Il. P. Upham, Gen. Johnson. and some thirty
other gentlemen of the highest respectability-
without regard to party.
did not publish the paper. still retain it
IN my possession, and regard it as one of the
most valuable documents l own.
In obedience to what considered the wishes
of so many leading gentlemen, 1 consented to
serve. Since that time have been twice elect
ed to the common council and by that body
had the honor of being twice elected its presi-
dent and by the same gentlemen elected mayor
of this city; and further, had tie honor of
being elected mayor Of this city by the people.
In addition had the distinguishes honor of
being appointed twice by his excellency, Gov.
Pillsbury, TO the Office on the State board of
equalization of taxes.
Ia had still another in being appointed by
the legislature OF this State, one of the COM
mi>sioners to build Fort Smelling bridge
And l make this public statement: