St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-22
THE MASON AFFIDAVIT.

The publication of Detectiue MAsoN's
affidavit aud accompanying exhibits
gives the public an intelligent under
standing of the basis of the proceedings
against the Minneapolis enumeratorS
who we're arrested last Tuesday night
on the charge of making fraudulent
census returns. The affidavit is suf-
ficieDt to satisfy any unprejudiced per-
son that the complaint was not ground
less, for it is most damaging exposure
of the existence of a criminal conspir-
acy whose object was to violate the
laws of the United States in effecting a
false count and false return to the
census bureau of the population of the
city of Minneapolis.
1t is not necessary at this stage of the
proceedings to discuss the reliability Of
the statements made in the affidavit.
They are the statements of competent
witness who testifies under oath, and
his statements are supported by dOcu-
mentary evidence. In the absence of
any rebutting testimony the affidavit is
prima facie evidence that crime has
been committed and that the perpetra-
tors of the crime are known. 1t will
now devolve upon the people of Mime
apOlis to disprove Mr.. MAsoN's state
ments. Otherwise the charge of a
fraudulent count will be established.
If there are honest men in Minneap-
oils, and we know there are thousands
of them, they will join with all good
citizens of all other communities who
are interested in the upholding Of law
and in the punishment of crime in de-
handing an immediate and thorough
investigation of this affair. If rascality
is being perpetrated in their midst they
want to know it and hunt down the ras-
Gals. Ii the accusation is false one
they want to know it, and know it right
away, that they may vindlcate their city
from the asperSion cast upon it. There
is every incentive for the Minneapolis
people to press an investigation, and
none why they should delay it.
In the light of these facts District
Attorney HAY has proved himself to be
the worst enemy Minneapolis ever had.
More than that, his action last Friday,
complied with his conduct yesterday
justifies the statement that there has
never been grosser betrayal of official
trust than Mr.. HAY has been guilty of.
He has sacrificed the interests of the
government on the altar of partisan
zeal. He has Knocked at law and sub
jected judicial precepts to scorn for the
satisfaction Of partisan associates.
There isn't county squire or district
constable in the whole of these United
States but has clearer knowledge and
more correct appreciation of the duties
of prosecutor than EUGENE HAY has
exhibited in this case.
This is not a matter of controversy
between st. Paul and Minneapolis, as
Mr.. HAY seems to imagine. 1t is ques-
ton of crime. 1t is controversy be-
tween the United States government
and certain of its employees. in which
the former alleges that the latter are
guilty of violation of the federal laws.
It is Mr.. HAYS business to represent
the government, and not to pose as
counsel for the accused. AS govern
ment official, it is a matter of no conse.
quence where he lives, or where any.
body else may live. Neither is it of i'm
portance to him where the complaining
witnesses may reside. When the evil
dence of crime is presented to him,
the obligations of his oath require him
to prosecute without delay. If there
isn't enough in Mr.. MAsoN's affidavit