St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-05
ABIGSUCCESS
The Chamber of Commerce Political
Meeting Called by the
Pioneer Press.
That Paper Not Represented There,
But There Was No Post
ponement,
Severe Words Used Emphatically and
Freely in Speaking of the
Publisher.
The Disloyal Attack on the City's Credit
Aroused the Greatest Indig-
nation.
The Libeled City Officers re The Were
and Boldly Demanded Il Thorough
Investigation.
The Authors of the Publication Must
Meet 1t Before the Grand
Jury.
The Libeled City Officers re The Were
and Boldly Demanded Thorough
Investigation.
The Authors of the Publication Mus
Meet 1t Before the Grand
Jury.

The Pioneer Press OF sunday TOOK the
liberty to call a political meeting at the
chamber of commerce on yesterday morn
ing to consider its astounding discloS-
ureS" But the disclosures" and
the differences drawn from them
were so menda cious on their face and so in
definite in their substance that they were
altogether and promptly repudiated by all
citizens, outside of those in the inner ring,
which produced them. Consequently at
yesterdays meeting, although almost full
board was present, there was not word
spoken in support of the charges which
were so boldly made. So mOnstrous were
they in their falsity that there was no mem
Der of the chamber who claimed that in the
remotes degree they were true or had any
basis whatever. The attack was so
mean and disloyal. involving, as it
did. not only the official integrity
and reputation of city officials, but also the
financial credit of the city, that discussion
of it rose above politics, and although some
of the members deprecated discussion or
Immediate action, there was, fortunately,
majority sufficiently strong to place matters
in such shape that
THE GRAND JURY,
which meets to-day, can bring the prOprie-
tors of the paper before it and give them a
chance to show, if they can, why they
should not be criminally prosecuted
for their slanderous charges against honor
able men.
1t is sad to relate that when the chamber
loJ ~, ohoir
which should have been occupied by Fred
erick DriscoI, member of the board and
vice president of the chamber. Much sur
prise was expressed at his absence from a
meeting which he called, and remarks
were freely passed rejecting
upon his personal courage as well as upon
his honor. Finally, it was decided to send
3 committee after him and force him to face
the storm of denunciation he had raised
against himself. A committee consisting
of Messrs. Kelly and Berkey were ap-
pointed to perform
THIS PLEASANT TASK.
While the matter was under discussion,
however, it is presumed that some one
slipped out and informed Mr.. Driscoll of
what was going on, and so when the COM
mittee reached the Pioneer Press Office they
were informed by clerk that ''AIr. Dris-
coll has just gone to the chamber of COM
merce."
While no one was present to represent
the Pioneer Press at the meeting which it
had called, there were plenty of reputable cit
liens there to discuss the matter in forcible
and exhaustive manner. Among these
were Messrs. Dawson, Oppenheim, Nc
CIung, Delano, Drake, besides City AttOr-
ney Murray, Mayor O'Brien, Comptroller
Roche, eX-Mayor and Mayor
Rice and others.
Some of the Republicans who were pres
ent and saw how the boomerang was affect
ing their canvass, manifested willingness
and desire to fight off and dodge the issue,
but they were resolutely brought up to the
rack and made to chew the unpalatable fOd-
der raised for them by their morning organ.
None of them attempted any defense of the
libel, however, and contented themselves
with voting no on the resolution directing
the city attorney and mayor to take the mat
ter into the courts.
MURRAY'S REMARKS.
AS soon as the minutes of the last meet
ing had been read and accepted, Mr.. Muir
ray rose to personal explanation. He
stated that the st. Paul Pioneer Press on
Sunday published an article that attacked
certain members of the chamber as being
engaged in swindling the city. He re-
gretted that Mr.. Driscoll was not present,
as he wanted him present to hear what he
had to say in regard to the charges.
He then referred to the charges
one by one-the suppression of the report
by Mr.. Roche, under the suggestion
and with the cOnnivance of several of the
prominent officers of the city government,
who saw the report and decided that it
would not do to publish it. as it would dam
age the prospects of the Democratic party.
He especially referred to that part of the
statement in which it is declared that he
Murray, said on seeing the report: ''By
God, if that report is published it will not
only defeat the Democratic ticket at the
election, but will damn it for all time to
come"
Capt. .Blakeley-This is a personal matter
and ought to be discussed outside this
chamber.
Mr. Murray-These charges are made in
behalf of man who. it is rumOred, is a
member of corrupt syndicate, and who
OpPOoCu luc GAtcllSlOu VI lllc city lluilCS.
A motion to adjourn was made, but de-
cided out of order.
Mr.. Murray-Yes; they would like to adj
tourn. They are afraid to meet this question.
There is not man who knows
Mr.. Roche who believes these charges that
are made in that paper. They are
AN OUTRAGE ON DECENCY.
1 don't permit any man to attack
my character that way There has
never been time when / did not ad-
wise the public officers of this city to do
their whole duty, and any statement to the
contrary is lie, and the author of it knew
it was lie. 1t comes with bad taste from
men who made their money out of govern
nent and mail contracts.
Capt. Blakeley-I believe am the only
mail contractor on the floor or in the CITY.
What do you mean?
Mr.. Murray leave the words as stated
Mr.. Strong-This discussion is out of
order. This question ought never to b e
brought up here. l move to lay On the
table, The success of this chamber de-
ponds on not having politics discussed in it,
Mr.. Drake-There is some justification
for the action of these gentlemen. But |
hope that politics will be kept out of this
body. / might myself ask an explanation
as my name has been drawn into this can
vass.
Mayor O'Brien-I have never before
spoken on this floor. But as the chief ex-
ecutive officer of the city, must notice the
charge made in newspaper against two
uublic officers of the city government
They are charged with crimes and misde-