St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-30

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contract. the amount so paid lay be re-
the parties to such contract and alder
man or other officer interested in the
same"
Is there any chance to mistake the
meaning of that provision? Is it not clear
as the day? Does it not state plainly
and succinctly that no alderman or
other officer or employee of the city shall
be interested in any business tranSac-
ton with the city? The purpose for
which that provision was incorporated
in the city charter was to prevent any
steals on the part of the city officials
through the business in which they
might be engaged. This section de-
clareS that any such contract. or job,
shall be declared null and void. Yet
E. M. Johnson has been a member of
the city council since that provision has
been In effect, and has violated its pro-
visions. He has been interested in con-
tracts awarded by the city to the amount
of S19.043.99.
Up in Anoka county, on Coon creek,
is brick yard which does business I'M
dor the name of w. H. Kinds & Co.
E. NJ. Johnson is the real owner of that
yard. w. 81. Kinds is merely figure
head. He is a practical brickmaker
and furnishes the experience. E. NJ.
the major portion of the profits. In the
summer of 1888 the city of Minneapolis
needed 100000 sewer brick. w. FL.
Kinds q Co., that is to say, E. M. john
son, was given the contract at $1,000 per
LOCO. More than that, there was an
other bid 80 cents lower than JOhnsOn'S,
but, since 1--WE aidermans must stand
together" johnson secured the con-
tract.
There is In Minneapolis concern
designated as the Minneapolis Office
and School Furnishing company. E..
Nj. johnson is president of that COM
pany. He is also secretary of the library
board. During the year of 1890 con-
tracts aggregating $500 were awarded
to the Minneapolis Office and School
Furnishing company. During the same
year the Minneapolis board of educa-
ton gave contracts to this same Mime
apolis Office and School Furnishing
company amounting to S10,093.99. Yet
Mr. johnson was, during that time, a
city official, an alderman, an employe
of the city. Even City Attorney Rus
around that provision in the city char
johnson knew of that law.
Some tine ago the manner in which
these contracts were awarded was made
public. in speaking of it at the time,
Mr.. johnson declared that he had had
nothing whatever to do with it. In at
tempting to justify himself at that
time, Johnson said: Neither will l
accept any retainer as a lawyer to look
after Interests that come up in the
council. L have refused hundred
offers of that kind" SO he admits that
he has been offered money to look after
the interests of people who desired To
get some scheme passed by the council.
Doesn't that look a little as If Mr.. John
son is c0nsided, by people who have ''ln-
terestS" in the council as man who
can be hired to forget his duties as all
alderman? 1t is also interesting to
note, in this connection, that last spring
when there was so much said about
'boodling' among the aldermen, E. Nj.
johnson was spoken of as one OF the
gO-betweenS.
These things. while not particularly
formidable in themselves, are straws.
They indicate quite clearly the direction
of the wind.
Last winter E. M. johnson was talked
of quite prominently as possible Re
publican candidate for mayor. City At
torney Russell nominated him fol
mayor before the Union League. All
that time the GLOBE took occasion to
point out some of the salient features OF
Johnson's public record. Some people
may have forgotten them. They are
here republished.
The coming year (this was published last
january will witness an Unusual effort in
Minneapolis to make eight hours days
work. When the Democrats OF Minneapolis
went into power three years ago they were
pledged to
Eight Hours for n Days Work
on all public work, and. having promised
that, they remained true to their promise
and a resolution to that effect was passed the
second meeting of the new council. Aid
johnson was member of that council, and
he opposed the resolution tooth and nail,
but il went through, and the records show
that better work for less money was accom-
plished during the time the Democrats were
in power than under the contract system
When the water department pro
they found in many riaces the main:
laid from only four to six feet below the sur
face, when they ought to have been put dow
eight feet. But the mains were laid by con
tractors, who cared not cent whether tn,
water froze up in the pipes or not, provided
they got their money, and many watar con
sumner had to borrow from his neighbor, sim
ply because the supply pipes were frozen up
Though the city paid ST.. 3 day, 80 cents
more than the contractors paid, and laid the
water mains from two to four feet deeper
than was done under the contract system, the
department showed several thousand dollar!
of saving over the contract system to it
credit when the Democrats left office. Thi
is one of the public benefits that Mr.. John
son opposed, and is no doubt of the SAM
opinion to-day as then on the day-laoo
question.
Mr.. johnson was then member of the ga
committee, but he was so busy watching tn
day-labor system in operation that he recon
mended, with other members of the commit
tee. the granting of permission to the differ
emit lighting companies, to put in numbe
of street lamps in excess of the appropria
ton. He being one Of the best fgnrers OF
| the committee, it was thought that every
| thing was all right. but when the GLoB
pointed out the mistake 1t was quickly RENE
| died.
The Enemy of WOrkingmen.
! Mr. johnson has always been opposed t
| giving any particular attention to the labo
| question, and fought the passage OF all an
| every resolution that has been brought befor
| the council for the benefit of the laberin
| man since he became member of that body
| He is Oh the black list of the laboring classes
| augurated he was the friend Of tn
| company from first to last, an
| when the Anderson Douglas compan
| wanted an opportunity to expend s., Oo0, 90
here for the public benefit, Mr.. johnson or
| posed granting the new company any priv
| ileges whatever; the old company was goot
| enough for him, but though the people o
| Minneapolis wanted 10 see the new compan
get chance, the Second ward alderman fo
| lowed the dictates of his own prejudices AM
| voted to maintain monopoly in power
When the present city council went int
| power Mr.. johnson voted with the majorit
TO rescind the eight hours-a-dav resolutio
and go back to the contract system if practi
cable 1t was he who did the prompting be
hind the scenes when the wards of the cit
| were increased from eight to thirteen, thu
| putting fifteen additional aldermen on th
city's pay roll He is also credited with be
| ing the father Of the police commission, S
far as drawing up the act and seeing it pas
safely into the hands of the governor. Whs
| ignominy, disgrace ana expense this bod
has brought on Minneapolis cannot be pic
ured here. 1t would require special editio