St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-01
THE MANKA ALTO RACKET.

Another SyVipe From Gen. Baker.
The GLOBE is in receipt of cOmmunica-
lion from Gen. j. II. BAKER, in which he
pays his respects to the Mankato board of
trade, but the crowded condition of our col
umns this morning precludes its publication
In full. He expresses profound respect for
The great body of the Mankato board of
Tade, and singles out what he denominates
"a little cOterie of half a dozen politicians
Who have deity managed on more than one
occasion to use good men and useful body
Tor ignoble purposes" as the special object
Of his caustic pen. He alleges that at the
meeting when the report concerning the st.
Cloud, MankatO 81 Austin railroad matter
was promulgated there were present only Is
men out of membership of about 100 and
a directory of 35, and that hut few of even
these voted upon ''the farce of a transac
tion," and that the names of those who
voted do not appear upon the journal. He
then says:
''When 1 presented my statement before
the board of trade on Monday morning, it was
wholly unknown to me that small and secret
conclave, who run the political department of
that body, had already passed upon my case.
Before proceeding with my speech, 1 eau
tiously asked for the specifications against
me; there were none. then asked for the
evidence, sworn or official documents; none
were produced. then asked for any papers
affecting my case, and was informed that there
were none. Then proceeded with my remarks.
/ now advisedly charge that at that very mo-
ment the secret plOtterS had the complete and
final report in my case in their possession,
and that was it wickedly, and with cowardly
connivance kept from my knowledge. I had
nj Hiroo t1v or tbot
such a document was in existence till two
hours after had spoken and the meeting adj
journed. Then the St. Paul papers arrived
with the published infamy of these secret
assassins of character. was amazed at the
evidence of their trickery and duplicity
They had as q committee deliberately deceived
ne and lied. 1t appears now by the uncov-
cred facts, that was invited to defend myself
on the 26th inst, and that a pretended finding
was already had on the 18th inst"
This action of the board is characterized as
1.-THE very essence of cowardice.' He refers
to the fact that the report is signed by but
one man, and then follows with a bill of in
dictment against this individual, charging
him with being guilty Of various delinQuen.
ceS and alleging that he is unworthy to be
pushed forward as a representative of the
good people of Mankato. The general next
pays his respects to Mr.. J. F. WILLIAMS, who
is charged with beng the originator of this
matter and suggests that il the board of
trade wants TO supply It's time with 1nVeStiga-
lions it ought to take up Mr.. WILLIAMS con-
nection with the Angaria Copper Mining
company. The next charge is that 1.-THE
little coterie" mangled the letter of Mr.
CAMPBELL and vital part was suppressed TO
protect the conspirators.'' The letter con-
cludeS as follows:
Now in reference to a statement which has
been made, that there was no evidence that
the directors received the authority of the
stockholders for their act, after careful
examination OF the records, it is found that
every meeting preceding each and all of
their acts was duly and fully adver-
tised according to the bylaws, in the local
paper, and'that very large majority of the
stock was either present i'll person or by duly
authenticated proxies. But little of the
Mankato stock was noted because no one
took interest enough to attend, and its stock
was too small to cut any figure, The recoI j;
explicitly show that the directors authority
for each and every act was perfect and COM
plete. Irepeat thatI have a great respect
for the board Of trade proper, and affirm that
l have ever been loyal to every interest Of the
city OF Mankato. But for the miserable
cotere of politicians, whose conduct is bring
ing the board into unnerited reproach and
tainting the good name OF noble city, hold
them in perfect contempt, spit upon their
pretended findings and defy their malice
J. II. BAKER.