St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-11
IN SECRET SESSION.
Ramsey Lawmakers Insist on
Hiding Their Light Under
a BuShel
While Discussing City Wrongs
That Statutes Yet May
Right.
William Lindeke Opposed to
ANY interference With the
Water Commission.
A School That Cost $4,000
Having a Daily Attendance
of Twenty Pupils.


to discuss their management in public.
1t is also pitiful to see how prominent
men are afraid to speak in the presence
of newspaper reporter. They fairly
dread his appearance, and at the first
possible moment Whinlngly suggest
that what they have to say may be said
behind closed doors.
1t is to be regretted that the Ramsey
county delegation should have resolved
itself into miniature chamber OF COM
merce. The reason for this is largely
attributable to that great and distin-
guished statesman, Hiram +. Stevens,
ably abetted by that shining light of the
chamber of commerce, William b.
Dean. There is disposition
on the part of the Democratic
members of the delegation opposed to
executive sessions, prominent among
them being William Deering, f. Bat
tley, August Nilsson and r. A. Walsh.
How this executive session racket is
worked may be CLEANED from the fol-
lowing report of the delegation meeting
held last evening:
The meeting was held in the city at
torney's Office. MIR. Lindeke and p. ii.
Kelly attended as representatives of the
water commission. The delegation is
considering proposition to dispense
with the attorney and engineer of the
water board, placing the work in the
hands of the city attorney and city en-
gineer. 1t is also proposed to curtall
the power of the board in mourning eX-
penditures, etc. These propositions do
not exactly meet the wishes of the water
commissioners. Mr.. Lindeke thought
that the water commission might as
we'll be entirely abolished and worked
by committee. Then again, it would
be unwise to legislate the attorney OF
the water commission out OF Ofhce. Inc
city attorney could not do the work.
Gen. Sanborn-He says he can.
MIR. Lindeke argued he would have
to employ some assistants. Besides,
Mr.. Folsom, the attorney of the water
board, possessed information which no
other attorney had, and which was of
the
Highest Importance
to the board. En- law suits alone he
could save in one year all that his sal
airy cost the board for five years. Mr..
Lindeke wanted the delegation to I'M
derstand that he had no feeling In this
matter. He personally did not care
what was decided upon; he merely
wished to lay before the delegation all
the facts of the case. and let them de-
eide. There were other matters which
he might touch upon, but did not think
it proper to fully enter into them III
public.
Gen. Sanborn-There is the question
of water supply. You. might tell us
something about the scarcity of water
two years ago, which yerged closely
upon water famine.
Mr.. Lindeke-Yes; there is that ques-
ton. will -
ii. F. Stevens-Mr. Chairman, think
it proper to recognize the fact that
there are reporters present representing
the st. Paul and Minneapolis papers.
Now, do not believe, in these prelim-
mary stages, discussing questions i'll
public in which, in private business en-
terpriSeS, we never dream of taking the
public into our confidence.
Chairman Dean-Well. we can 60 into
executive session. Of course the re-
porters must understand if they abuse
the confidence we place in them we Will
not allow any representatives Of the
press to attend these meetings.
Mr.. Sanborn-Oh, don't think it nee
essary to go into executive session.
Mr.Lindeke remarked he could fringe
around the subject.
III. F. Stevens thought it was unfair
to expect public men to come there and
say things which they did not want to
have published in the newspapers.
w. Deering-I am opposed to these
executive sessions.
Let the Public Know
what we are doing. If there were more
publicity given to the transactions of
public business it would be decidedly to
the best interest of our city,.
L. Battley-I do not see why there
should be an executive session. Has
the board of water commissioners done
anything that will not bear the light of
day, or what is it?
r. A. Walsh-As I understand, Mr..
Lindeke does not wish to sacrifice him.
self to the public.
MIR. Lindeke-What is that?
K. A. Wa1Sh-YOu have something to
say to the delegation which you do not
care should 90 the public.
II. +. Stevens-The question is this:
Mr.. Lindeke may have something to
say which, if published, may embarrass
his relations with other people. 1t is
not fair to expect citizens to furnish US
Information, knowing that they are run
ming the chances of raising against
them the enmity of some other per-
son.
Mr.. Lindeke-WelI, so far as | am
concerned, it doesn't make any difference
whether what l say is published OF not.
The question, in my mind, is whether it
would be best for the city; that is all.
/ n
future of the eity's water supply. l do
not think that am
Exactly Prepared
to give my own views upon that ques-
ton publicly. Now it may be-
HI. +. Stevens would
Mr.. Dean-Weli, gentlemen, shall we
go into executive session?
A vote was taken, and the executive
session was decided upon. Mr.. Stevens
appeared relieved as the reporters
walked out, and the face of Chairman
Dean was suffused III smiles.
The delegation was in executive SeS-
sion for upwards of an hour. OF course
there was ''nothing to be given out" 1t
is always so. Mr.. Indexes statement
consisted of relteration of his above
published remarks against the pro-
posed curtaiiment of the powers of the
water commission. 1t is said that Attor-
ney Folsom has some s''cinch" on the
board, and that il" would be exceedingly
awkward to legislate him out of office.
From remarks made by members of
the delegation, no legislation need be
expected at all interfering with the
water board.
Prior to the water board question be-
ing taken up, there was some discussion
on the board of education. Messrs. II.
Schetfer, w. Rodger, f. Keogh and Supt.
Gilbert, representing the board of edu-
cation, were present, but reported they
were not in position to lay detailed
statement OF their propositions before
the delegation.
1t was stated that certain attorneys in
the city were holding city coupons.
Mr.. Dean-Yes, from the school board.
Gen. Sanborn-Ninety thousand dol
lars, all due, drawing interest. All the
parties are curSing and saying they will
never invest another cent in ST. Paul
securities.
Mr.. Scheffer--It was n ,niStata to ic-