St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-05
VERY SERIOUS CHARGES
Preferred to the Governor Against
the Attorney of Becker County
IAN Investigation.


IAN Investigation.
Gov. McGill received a letter seralev
days ago from J. A. Bowman, bust
ness man of Detroit, Becker county,
Mimi, inclosing a list of serious charges
against John T.. Brown, the present
attorney of that county. In the Ian
guage of the communication, the charges
read as follows:
81 charge John I. Brown, the present
attorney of Becker county, with being a
notorious common drunkard and con-
1irmed inebriate, and that he is COM
monty so known of all men. and that by
reason of his habits he has been unable
for some time to perform the duties of
his office. For several months he has
been posted on the black list at the
saloons, his name being put there by
prominent and respectable citizens for
the benefit of his family.
Il charge him wit criminal dishonesty
in the official administration of the du-
ties of his office, and for more specific
charge will relate the case of the man
named Pitcher, who was brought all the
way from Bismarck at great expense.
charged with a henious felony, and al
lowed to escape through the connivance
aud consent of Brown with the deputy
sheriff
| charge him with being a diSturber
of the peace and street brawler of the
lowest kind: and more specifically, will
state that on the night of April IS he
was taken home by acquaintance, in a
helplesSly drunken condition, after hay
ing assaulted merchant in his own
store, and being driven into the street
with poker.
Il charge him with gross and
indecent conduct on many occa-
sions. On the 18th of April he went to
the home of one of our leading bankers,
and vilely and wckedly assaulted the
bankers wife, calling her a - liar,
and without the slightest provocation.
She is most estimable woman, and
often contributed largely to the comfort
of Mrs. Brown, also most estimable
woman, and her children.
EAfBEZZLEAIENT CHARGED.
"I further charge thatBrown has been
guilty of the crime of embezzlement.
from his clients, of large sums of money.
On one occasion he came near being az
rested, but to save himself hypothecated
the whole of his future salary as county
attorney, to the amount of 800 or 500,
and the salary has been regularly drawn
by that client.'
Mr.. Rowman closed his charges by
asking GOV. McGlll TO temporarily SuS-
pend Brown pending an Investigation,
on his own behalf and that of other
business men of Detroit. The governor
finally decided not to suspend Brown,
but preferred to take action after the
charges had been thoroughly investi-
gated. To this end he yesterday ap-
pointed A. H, Wilcox and Edward E.
Hoyt, of Detroit, and o. J. Berg, of
Lake Park, board of commissioners to
take and report the testimony on the
charges. The work will be commenced
at once.
''Has not Mr.. Bowman some personal
grievance?' asked GLOBE reporter of
Deputy Childs, Of the attorney generals
office.
mo" he replied, II think not.
have talked with others from Detroit
and all tell the same story"
''Why was Bowman the only one to
prefer charges?"
''He was selected. I think, as the one
who was most cognizant of all the facts
Of Browns career"
1t is said that not long ago Brown was