St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-29
WARM IN The COLLAR.
Representative Citizens of st.
Paul Rise Up in Just
Indignation.
A Recount Of the City an
Outrage Which Cannot Be
Tolerated.
st. Paul Smirched Merely to
Suit the Ends Of Minneap-
oils Politi clans.
Supt. Porter Requested to
Furnish Evidence Of the
Alleged Frauds.

Bankers, merchants, professional and
business men crowded the chamber.
of commerce meeting yesterday morn
ing. The attendance of members was
the largest for many moons, and the alb
sorbing interest taken in the proceed
ings was sufficiently indicative OF the
strong feeling there exists against the
action of Supt. Porter in ordering re-
count of ST. Paul. Citizens do not fear
a recount, but they do object to one be-
ing foisted on to the city by the malig-
nant misrepresentation of the Minneap-
oils delegation in Washington. But, to
let the citizens speak for themselves, 1t
may be said that no time was lost in
having the recount brought before the
chamber of commerce. Ansel Open
helm moved to suspend the regular
weekly business. This was agreed to-,
and Capt. Castle received request to
present a series of resolutions from the
committee on census, of which he is the
chairman. There was no mistaking the
tone of these resolutions; they went to
the root of the whole difficulty and
placed the question before the chamber
in bold and clear light. The resolu-
tions read:
Whereas, The authorities of the United
States government have ordered re-enum-
Grafton OF the entire city of st. Paul; and
Whereas, Such order involves charge OF
systematic and general fraud on the part OF
citizens; and
Whereas, This chamber has been kept ad-
yised through its committee of the methods
of taking the census of ST. Paul from the be-
ginning and is fully prepared to pledge the
honor of the city that no faint of fraud per-
meates those methods, that there has been
no attempt to swell the enumeration by 1lle=
climate means and that Irregularities, II any
exist, are exceptional, such as are liable 10 pc
found in all cities as the work OF individual
enumeratOrS;
Whereas AS the justification for said order
rests largely on the papable and extensive
frauds in the enumeration OF nelghoorlng
city, thereby unjustly linking the two munlc-
qualities in common lnfamy, simply De-
cause of an alleged rivalry between them;
and
Whereas, The proposed action alsoinvolves
a disgraceful stigma upon the character OF
the supervisor and all the enumerators;
stigma which should not be imposed Tor IN
sufficient causes; it is therefore
Resolved, By the chamber OF commerce OF
the city OF st. Paul, representing its citizens
in every department of business and activity,
That we Indignantly protest against the lssu-
based on such insufficient GROUNDS as have
thus far been stated, or as are known to us,
and we respectfully request the suspension
of such order pending further investigations
by the census officials.
Resolved, That we are assured by the cen
sus supervisor that the returns from 40 OF
the 125 enumeration districts of st. Paul are
above suspicion; that we invite the most
searching examination of all these returns,
includinga recount of all districts where r.
,lo,-; tinpo ochn 70 "
cheerful and hearty cooperation OF all our
people in any measure which does not imply
i'll advance an unWarranted assault upon
their integrity. ~
Resolved. That if any frauds are discovered
in the course of these Investigations, or at
any stage Of the proceedings we earnestly
urge that the perpetrators of such frauds be
Immediately arrested, promptly trled ana
brought to punishment, assuring the authors
ties that no public sentiment will be found
here to screen the suspected or shield the
guilty.
Resolved, That the citizens census commit
tee are hereby authorized and requested to
take such measures as they may deem adV1s-
able to give practical effect to these resolu-
tons.
Hearty applause greeted the resolu-
lions, the sentiments expressed being
heartily Endorsed by almost every one
present. There were a few who OBJ
iected, who aired their opinions in the
discussion which followed.
Thomas Cochran Jr. was first to take
the floor. He urged caution. Their ac-
ton should not be tempered with ex-
element, passion or prejudice, but slow
pulsed and calm. He was surprised to
learn that many members of the cham
Der had not read Supt. Porter's letter
ordering a recount. For their informa-
| ton Mr.. Cochran read the letter, which
appeared in Sundays GLOBE. He
urged that the resolutions should be
| Thoroughly understood before being
| voted upon.
H.P. Hall expressed the opinion that
| the resolutions were little too strong.
! There had either been a fair or an un-
| fair count, and to object to recount
might tend to raise the suspicion that
the st. Paul count would not stand a
rigid investigation. Though it was
grossly unjust, they should. under the
circumstances, welcome the recount as
| the means of vindicstion.
! Ansel Oppenheim favored the resolu-
| lions, adding: 1--WE do not care whether
we are recOunted or not, but we want
! the evidence of fraud placed before US.
| We certainly should not rest quietly
| under the imputatiOn of fraud.'
George Thompson drew attention to
| the fact that, under the provisions OF
| the proposed count, only two or three
| days would be given the new super.
visor to select 125 enumerators. all OF
whom would be total strangers to him
The resolutions were. by request
again read by Capt. Castle. who followed
up the reading with these remarks:'I dc
not think Supt. Porter, although he mas
treated us square up to the present
time, is at all entitled to any thanks in
merchandising in the inevitable con
clusion which has long since been
reached by all fair-minded men, thai
the Minneapolis census was veritable
hot-bed of conspiracy"
| George Thompson again spoke. He
urged that the business men of the city
should bend all their energies in secur
ing full, fair and complete recount.
ATTORNEY Nj. D. Mum pertinently re
marked that Supt. Porter should be re
ouested to furnish citizens the evidence
of fraud against St. Paul, and he sug
eested an amendment to the resolution:
to that effect.
Col. ]. I'll. Davidson moved to amenG
by striking out the works: ''Whereas
such order for recount involves {
charge of systematic fraud on the par
of citizens" and insert a general denia
in place of standardization. He wa:
opposed to having this foul dispersion
cast upon the honest citizens of thi:
community.
E. V. Smalley next took turn in thu
discussion. He did not confine himself
to the resolutions, but touched up the
political features connected with thu
ordered recorded. He roasted the Min
neapolis politicians in Washington
Washburn, Snider, ct al. = il
warm language and amid some
applause. Mr.. Smalley spake will
great deliberation. The substance O
what he said is as follows: 'The mo
tive which underlies this singular let
ter of Mr.. Porter's should be inquired
into. In dates back to the time wher
the Minneapolis people issued their sec
ond directory, and a system Of padding
was inaugurated which has been KEEP
up ever since. When these systematic
rco,5a ,uora pyDnepd there was