Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-11-16
KNOYs GAME.
How He Knocks EN- just Before the Elec'
tion-A Grossly Partisan Machine.


How He Knocks EN- just Before the Elec-
tion-A Grossly Partisan Machine.
The announcement has already been made
90 the suspension OF Patrick O'Dowd, treas
nrer of Scott county, by Gov. Pillsbury, upon
the report of Henry NJ. Knox, public exam
liner. That the people may know how this man
Knox is using the office that was created for
him through the beguilements OF leading Re-
nnblicans in Ramsey county, who had become
tired of his never ending demands for place
and spoils. The GLOBE proposes at this time
10 give few additional details OF his connec-
ton with the Scott county treasury.
When the Office of public examiner was
created, Mr.. ]. j. Ring held the Office of treas
urer of Scott county. He was an unassuming
German farmer, known and respected for his
personal worth and business integrity.
Through a desire to assist his fellowmen,
Carving their. taxes)and dishonest assistant,
he became in arrears in his account. Then
Knox stepped upon the scene, and
though Mr.. Ring was perfectly able and
willing to make his shortage good, and
his bondsmen were good for much more than
the amount for which they were held, Knox
saw his opportunity. The county election
was soon to be held and Ring was to be can.
didate for reelection. If he could secure
Rings suspension just on the eve OF election
and secure his defeat at the polls, he would,
he reasoned, make himself solid with his
party, and they would continue him in his
office. In due time One-sided report was
prepared and transmitted to the governor, and
a few weeks before the election, as Knox had
planned, Ring was suspended. But the scheme
worked different than Knox anticipated The
people were indignant at the mean, partisan
game, and triumphantly reelected Ring. But
Knox having commenced on Ring, would not
let up, and in due time he was removed and
ruined financially. Results have since shown
that Ring was more sinned against than sim
ming, and that If he had been let alone the
county would have lost nothing, that his
honor would have been preserved, and the
earnings Of years of toll left for the support
of himself and family in their old age.
Then came Baumhager, who helped Knox
in securing the downfall of Ring, but he soon
showed himself in his true colors,
and he was retired. This
Ring, he was a plain, honest farmer, with
little knowledge OF the intricacies of book
keeping or the tricks Of making black appear
white, as do the Baldwins and other distin-
guished bookkeepers, of which Knox seems
TO have SO intimate knowledge. 0'Dowd
found the accounts of the Office greatly con-
fused. Knox saw his opportunity again.
Another local election was approaching, and
there were rumors of an extra session OF the
legislature. If O'Dowd could be smirch-
ed just before election, and his
opponent elected, it would bring his
Claims for continuance in his office prominent
" to the notice Of his party friends in the
legislature, and strengthen his hold upon
them.
> So we find him October.1S less than month
before the election, sending report to the
governor, in which he says 1.-THE deficit in the
(Scott county, treasury, or in the amount OF
funds called for by the books, as verified by an
examination of the supporting vouchers, is
the sum of 81 ,691 ST." Against this, he goes
on to say''the treasurer has several offsetting,
which, while not legally reducing the same, !
note in full for your information" These
'.offsetting Claims" as Knox calls them, are
three in number and may be summarized as
follows:
Ten receipts of the tax judgment sale
of September 10, amounting Us 1881
Sums drawn from the treasurer as sal
airy, without the warrant of the
auditor therefor. ................ 1,043.Se
Amount paid for postage, etc. .. $500
Total. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1,19.S7
This amount taken from 81 ,69I 81, and there
remains deficit of $499.5O, "for which bal
ance" Mr.. Knox says, ''no explanation is
offered"
Two days after the receipt of this report
Gov. Pillsbury wrote O'Dowd informing him
in general terms of the character Of Koux' s
report, and giving him eight days in which to
straighten his accounts or be suspended.
October Is, O'Dowd wrote the governor
acknowledging the receipt OF his letter and
saying !.%gg: communication was . comn,ets ,rr
prise to me, but without stopping to refer to
the action of the public examiner at present,
l wish to say that do not wish to vacate my
Office either by suspension or resignation I'M.
til have had full and complete settlement
with the county auditor. That officer died
Yesterday, and am therefore unable to NJ AXE
that settlement until his successor has been
appointed AMI qualified. When that has been
done, and have settled with that officer and
accounted for every cent that has come into
my hands as county treasurer las l shall do), l
will then notify your excellency whether will
accept the alternative which you give me OF
resigning.
ignorance of the character of the report OF
the public examiner, except as am led to In.
fer what 1t 1t is from the brief reference to it
in your letter."
All this, as will be seen by the dates, took
place just before election, and with the public
mind made suspicious by past experiences,
resulted as Knox had planned in securing
O'Dowd's defeat and the election of Repub-
Hcan. And three days a1ter This nau Deen ac-
eomplished, Gov. Pillsbury wrote O'Dowd
summarily removing him from the Office,
by virtue OF the authority vested in him by
chapter 1OS, general laws of 1881.
It may be that Mr.. Knox is only trying to do
his duty, but the fact that in both the cases of
Ring and O'Dowd, the proceedings should
have been commenced just on the eve of cleo
ton, and that they were gone forward with
in precisely the same manner, falls to warrant
such q conclusion.
To the Editor of the Globe.
Please state in your paper for me that /
have returned home, Notwithstanding the re-
ports that I had left with the intention not to