St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-17
COTTON IS in CHARGE
The Assistant Attorney Cen
eral Arrives and Will
Take a Hand
In Conducting the Prosecu-
tions on Charges Of Cen
sus Padding.
The Controversy Over the
Precedence Between Bax-
ter and Hay.
A Warrant Is Issued for an
Enumeration Who Is
Missing.


Cotton arrived in this city shortly after
noon yesterday. He came here at the
request of Attorney General Miller as
his trusted representative in connec-
ton with the prosecution of the alleged
Minneapolis census padderS. lie
stopped at the Ryan long enough to
wash off the dust of travel and then
called upon District Attorney Hay at
his office. About an hour after this Mr..
Baxter called at Mr.. Hays Office and the
trio held private conference in
which law books were resorted to. A
few minutes after O'Clock MI. Hay
hand, to go to his home in Minneapolis.
He had set and firm look On his face,
and when asked if any statement was
ready to be given out, replied almost
snappishly, mot by me, sir" and hur-
ried on to catch the $50 train. Gen.
Cotton and Mr.. Baxter remained in con-
ference until after o'clock, when
they left the building and sep
arated at the pavement. Gen.
Cotton repaired to the Ryan
where he was subsequently seen by
GLOBE representative. Upon being
asked for an interview, he quickly
asked, Upon what subject?" The rep
resentatiye suggested that possibly he
did not care to discuss the absorbing
subject in st. Paul-the census. Gen..
Cotton SAID he had thus far bad but a
short conference On that subject, and
could not discuss it.
1t was suggested that the people of
st. Paul are interested in the question
as to which shall take precedence in the
prosecution of the cases-Mr. Baxter or
Mr.. Hay.
II am. their superior officer" said Gen.
Cotton.
You have power to delegate that au-
thority?''
To this suggestion the gentleman.
smiled. and reiterated his former state
ment.
In response to question as to neither
he would take the management of the
prosecutions, he replied that he could
not state at present.
''How long will you remain in this coun
try?" asked the reporter.
Until the matter is concluded, " was the
reply.
will you remain in St. Paul for some
timer he was asked.
Until | get through with this matter"
said he, referring to the census cases.
HAS your conference thus far touched on
whether a charge of conspiracy shall be pre-
feued?'
Yes; on all subjects pertaining othe
matter 1t would not be proper for me to
state the subject of our conference or what is
to be done in the matter prefer not to dis
cuss the matter"
Gen. Cotton is an intelligent, pleas
ant-appearing gentleman, and he left
the impression on the reporter that
he is here for business, and the prose-
cution will not lag by reason of obStruct-
i've measures by Mr.. Hay.
1t is understood that the necessity for
an assistant attorney general coming
here arose from the fact that Mr.. Hay
insists on managing the proceedings
and on regarding Mr.. Baxter as
only special assistant under
him. That controversy arose as
to whether a charge of conspiracy
should be preferred, and thus take in
others than the mere ennmeratorS, is
believed, and that Mr.. Hay opposed
this course, and insisted on going no
further than to prosecute the enumera-
tors upon the lesser charge of padding
the returns. Mr.. Hay insisting on the
latter course, Mr.. Baxter told him that
he intended to write letter to the at
torney general defining his position,
and that Mr.. Hay might do as much for
himself. Mr.. Baxter wrote his let
ter and handed it to Mr..
Hay to mail in the same
envelope with his. MIR. Baxter not re-
ceiving reply to his letter within the
time expected, telegram was sent ask
ing why no reply was made. The re-
Spouse was that up to Monday night
Mr.. Baxter's letter had not been re-
ceived by the department at Washing
t. ln+o hot
prompt and decisive action should be
taken at the attorney generals office,
and Gen. Cotton Immediately started
for st. Paul.
1t was known that everything was in
readiness to proceed with new informa-
tions. and that Mr.. Hays action was
holding back the proceeding tor some
purpose. Mr.. Hay stated yesterday that
his clerk, Mr.. Reed, had mailed the
letter referred to. Mr.. Reed stated
in the presence of Mr.. Hay that the
latter gentleman had handed him the
letter after Mr.. Baxter had left
the Office and he had mailed it.
Mr.. Hay stated that he had received
reply to the letter on Monday evening,
but he did not know whether Mr.. Bax-
ter had seen it, as he had been out of
the city on Tuesday. Mr.. Hay stated
also that the relations between himself
and Mr.. Baxter were pleasant, and ad-
mitted that they differed on some points
in the proceedings upon which lawyers
were liable to disagree He said the
issuing of warrants had not been de-
layed because of these differences.
When asked whether he had charge
of the prosecution, he stated that Mr..
Baxter was appointed as special assist
ant; that papers were addressed to him
(Hay), but that he showed everything to
Mr.. Baxter, and had felt disposition to
turn over the matter to him.
Mr.. Baxter stated yesterday morning
that he had nothing to say with regard
to the letter, or as to the statements
above made by Mr.. Hay. Last evening
he said that his letter had reached
Washington. When asked if the state
ment in morning paper relative to the
letter is true, he said: "You can draw
your own inference"
1t is known that the special agents
have completed their examination of
that the re is abundant evidence to SuS-
tain the charge of padding. Mr.. Baxter
had determined on prosecuting num-
Der of Minneapolis parties, including
others than enumeratorS. Commissioner
Morey. of Winona, was selected to issue
the warrants and hear the cases-some
of them to be heard in Minneapolis, and
others to be brought to st. Paul for
hearing.
Louis Heggman was to have been ar
rested and given hearing in Minneap-
oils Yesterday morning, but it was
learned that he had left that slty and the
warrant was recalled.
1t is certain that Mr.. Baxter and the
st. Paul citizens committee are well
pleased that Gen. Cotton has come on to
give attention to the cases. The gem
eral impression is that Mr.. Hay will get
turning over, and there will be music
in the camp from now on to the finish.
A PROPER STEP.