St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-09
THE HEAVY STEAL
Unearthed by the Committee in the Odor-
GUS City Hall Job.
Investigation Should Proceed and
Embrace the Entire Official List.

Some weeks before the spring election, when
it became known that S. G.. Cutter would
be candidate for reelection as alderman
from the Fifth ward, the GLOBE took the
position that he was not a fit man to occupy
a seat in council, and called upon the voters
of the ward to repudate him at the polls.
The result was that in a ward which usually
gives Republican majority of 1000, Cut
ter was defeated by plurality Of $685. In
opposing Cutters candidacy, the GLOBE
charged irregularities i'll the repairs to the
City hall, done under his supervision as
chairman of the committee on building and
grounds. When the work was undertaken,
contractors proposed to accomplish it for
SIS, 900, but under Cutters supervision the
sum of $50, 600 was spent, and the eXpen-
dtnre ended only when council impera-
lively called halt. This was all shown
up by the GLOBE. while the Repubi-
can papers of the city, worked
by political prejudice, warmly
supported Cutter in his canvass and de-
clared the charges were all political bun
combe. In his farewell message to the
council Hon. George A. Pillsbury called at.
tention to these charges and recommended
a searching investigation, as a result of
which special committee was constituted
and began its work. The city papers still
declared their belief in the honesty of the
work and denounced the charges as with
out foundation, while the GLOBE encour-
aged the committee in the good work. as
surfing it the result would justify the time
and labor. The committee has finished its
duty-or partially fnished-and its report is
complete vindcation of the GLOBE. A
steal OF from S15, OOO to $4,000 has been
perpetrated on the people of Minneapolis,
and the Spoilsmen have thus far safely got
| ten away with the Doodle. The committee
found state of affairs that would par
allel the methods in vogue in the New
York city hall. Not single original
| information the committee could obtain.
| come unsupported, by word of mouth of
S. S. Boynton, who, as Cutters foreman.
had charge of the work. Even his books
| were missing-mislaid in moving! Where
the Doodle went the committee could not
tell and the taxpayers can only surmise.
The committee could only trace. definitely.
the loss of some $500, which Boynton
pocketed, as profit of SO cents day each
on the men he employed. Aid. Swenson,
the chairman, who has shown his honesty
of purpose in the work, would only COM
NIT this much to paper in the report, but
he went further, verbally, and charged the
loss of at least SIS, 900 in the job.
The work of the committee is not
finished. The only result is the finding of
$500 and the capture of Boynton, the tool.
Does the committee wish the GLOBE to name
the master? 1t was explained that S17,O
or even $4,000 might have been honestly
expended upon the building; but Aid.
Swenson frankly says there was a steal in
some manner of the other SIS, 900. 1t is
now the imperative duty of the council to
ferret out and bring to justice the thief.
Boynton's $500 is a mere sop, and it will
never satisfy the public to allow the
real thief to hide behind this narrow
margin. Some one should be compelled to
produce original bills and vouchers. This
criminal looseness in the city hall affairs
should receive lasting and severe rebuke
1t is matter of current gossip that
contracts and proposals have turned up
missing in the various offices, and the smell
that goes up from the city hall is an Often
sve one in the n0strils of the taxpayers.
The new administration may cover itself
with honor and glory by thorough in
vestigation of every department, from the
water board to the city clerks Office Some
officials may not require it, but the people
will be satisfied.