St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-27
WHAT IT Will PROVE.


The Minneapolis Tribune does not
help its case by perverting facts or by
misquoting others. In its yesterdays
issue is reply to the GLOBES criticism
on the STEVENS affidavit, in which the
Tribune says: ''There is not an asser-
ton made Ill MAsoN's affidavit that is
not taken up separately and and an
swered completely. Yet the GLOBE
says this won't do; that the only fair
way is to demand an investigation,
help prove the detectives charges, and
confess that you have been scoundreI.
This is the only honorable way for this
city to proceed Well, this is not incon-
sistent with the st. Paul position in
this matter"
The GLOBE did say, and sticks TO it,
that the only proper course for the Min
neapoiis people to have pursued was to
demand an Investigation. We did not
say that an investigation would prove
the detectives charges, or that an in
vestgation involved a confession of
gnilt on the part of Minneapolis. That
is the Tribune'S own construction of it,
and if the Minneapolis people are salts
fled with the Tribune's admission that
an investigation would result in estab-
fishing the charges made by Detective
MASON, then we are mistaken in the
temper of the Minneapolis people.
If the Tribune would ''tole" fair, it
would make better progress with its
case.
The Tribune is right when it says
that an accusation is no evidence of
guilt. But it must also remember that
when an accusation is supported by ev-
iGence which shows the probability of
guilt, it is incumbent upon the accused
to disprove the charges. or at least to
explain away the suspicious circum-
stances which tend to show guilt.
1t is not evidence of guilt to be ac-
cused Of crime. Neither is the formal
plea of mot guilty" the evidence of IN
nocence. In either case proof is essen
tai. Here is a case where the accuser
makes proffer of his evidence and insists
upon trial. while the accused simply
enters plea of mot guilty" and shirks
investigation. The GLOBE has not been
aware that an investigation would help
prove the detectives charges or that it
involved confession of rascality until
we learned it from the Tribune. If the
Tribunes statement of the case is true,
then we can readily understand why
such hullabaloo was raised when the
STEVENS annex was raided by the gov
ernment officers.
The GLOBE has urged an investigs>
ton on the theory that it would be an
act of justice to the people Of Minneap-
oils, as well as 10 the rest of the people
of Minnesota. We have proceeded upon
the idea that the reputable citizens of
Minneapolis, who constitute the bulk of
the city's population, were not privy to
what was being done by the STEVENS
annex bureau, and that they would be
interested in ascertaining the truth.
We are of the same opinion still. If.
according to the Tribune's view of it.,
an investigation did confirm Detective
MASON's story, we see no reason why
the law-respecting and law-abiding
classes in Minneapolis should wish to
smother the Investigation.
One fact is established beyond all
controversy. The STEVENS sannex''
did exist, and that, too, without au-
thority of law. 1t could have no posi-
bic Legitimate connection with census
taking, and yet that is what it was at
work on when invaded by the United
States officials.
Another fact is as clearly established.
The United States census enumerators
could have no possible business in the
STEVENS ''anneX" bureau. Their place
of business was in the government
building. where the law contemplated
they should work under the eye and
direction of the census supervisor. Yet,
when the United States marshal went