St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-31
THE ABSTRACT OFFICE.

a jury OF his peers, after days de-
liberation, reported TO the court last
week that they were unable to agree as
to whether NJ. K. MURNANE. the county
abstract clerk. was or was not guilty of
appropriating TO his own use the public
funds entrusted to him. The Jury was
discharged, and the defendant bound
over to the next term of court. Mean
while the presumption of innocence
which the law affords attaches to him,
as to every other person accused of a
crime prior to his conviction. The con-
tlEuance Of the present uncertainty is
matter OF great disappointment to him
and his friends. and it is only fair that
the public should at least suspend judg-
ment until the matter is finally disposed
Of.
Assuming the complaints which come
to the ears of the GLOBE to be true,
however, it appears that if the charge
against Mr.. MURNANE had been the
very serious one of running a slovenly
and inefficient public office there would
have been no room for disagreement in
any fair-minded jury which might be
}
personal and party sympathies are en-
tlrely with the Democracy writes to this
Office that the abstract clerk constantly
fails to meet the most definite promises
made to people compelled to use his
services, and constantly furnishes alb
stracts which are incomplete and inac-
curate.
1t is impossible for the GLOBE to fully
investigate these charges, but if the par
ticular one given in illustration is fair
specimen it would seem as though
things were in very unfortunate
shape. On recent Tuesday afternoon,
this attorney complains, he took to the
abstract Office an abstract for continu-
ance and certiticatiOn. The clerk in
charge agreed very seriously that it
should be ready for delivery on the fol-
lowing day. Thursday morning it was
sent for, but could not be found. After
long delay and search it was
unearthed from a mass of miscellaneous
papers, where it bad been tossed when
first brought in. The clerk in charge
had no explanation or apology to offer,
except that some one was working on it
and that it would be done after a while.
The first part OF this the attorney says
he has the best reason to believe was
untrue, and the second part afforded
but slight consolation. Here, then, half
day after the time when it had been
agreed the abstract should be eom-
plcted, it had not as yet been touched,
and the attorney who needed it, after
this aggravating delay, was compelled
to go elsewhere TO secure its continu-
ance.
1t is absolutely essential for the con-
venience and security of the public that
the county Offices should do their work
efficiently and promptly. People will
submit to good deal, but not to dila-
tory or sloveuly service. This is par
ticularIy true of an Office like Mr.. MUIR
NAMES. An omitted deed or mortgage
might lead to very heavy pecuniary
loss. and failure to turn out paper at
the time promised might in these days
of mortgage foreclosures and redemp-
tons mean the difference between a
home for man and no home.
The GLOBE hopes that, if there is any
truth in the very general criticisms
which are heard about the county ab-
stract department, prompt measures
will be taken to remove the reason for
| them.