Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-11
FRAZER AFTER R0HE.
Hensel's Deputy Doubts the Story
of the Six Convictions.
HIS BOOKS 10 BE INVESTIGATED.
An Ex-congressman Says Pittsburg Is
Suffering Under Ban.
BLUE LAWS ARE DRIVING PEOPLE AWAY

over the specially favored justice mill OF
the Law and Order Society, isto be investi-
| gated by the State Auditor Generals agent
in this city, r. S. Frazer. Mr. Frazer was
seen at his residence on Rippev street yes
terday. When shown the interview with
Alderman Robe printed in yesterday s
DISPATCH, in which the Alderman is
quoted as saying he had not paid the State
the fines collected in the Law and Order
cases because he didn't know who to pay,
Mr.. Frazer smiled.
"It seems strange that Mr.. Robe has failed
to learn something about that little matter
since April last. Still, 1 have not called
on him, and that may be what he is waiting
for
'tDo you intend to call on him now?" was
asked.
Certainly" was the reply, che must pay
over to the State that which is due to the
State.
''But Robe claims he has only fined five
or six persons since he began to try Law
and Order cases. In that case he wont pay
much.
Frazer Doubts the Six Cases story.
"Well," said Mr.. Frazer, ''he says he has
been doing business for the Law and Order
Society since last April 1t would seem
strange if he had not fined more than six
persons in that time. / shall call on Rohe
this week for a report. If it does not satisfy
ME will use my official prerogative and
demand his books for investigation. The
State Auditor General or his agents can at
any time demand an Alderman's books to
satisfy themselves that his accounts with
the State are straight"
Regarding the statement of Alderman
Rohe that he had discharged and suspended
sentences on many Law and Order cases be-
fore him, Mr.. Frazer said:
"An Alderman may suspend, fine or dis
charge case if he chooses. 1t is simply u
question of costs and if he chooses to lose
his costs that is his business only. A ques-
ton of blackmail is different. When an
Alderman is a party TO a settlement of
cases for consideration ne runs chance of
getting into the same box with Bauder and
several Pittsburg Aldermen. [ don't know
how Mr. Mcclure is running his business,
but l know Captain Wishart well, and l
know he cansed sentence to be suspended
or the defendant discharged in many cases
where the persons were extremely poor or
in other unfortunate circumstances.
''There is one point in connection with
nv duties in this business that l am not en-
tirely clear on. l don't know that I have
right to allow fines to be suspended. If
man is guilty he should be fined, and if not
guilty discharged. That is the law. While
| have never taken any personal interest in
these cases, L have always considered
that sympathy should be extended in GER
tain cases officially, and have not raised the
question with the Aldermen. The State
has never raised the point on me, and the
money has always been received without
question"
Very Many Fines We're Suspended.
GLOW much money has been paid to the
State in fines since the Law and Order So
cietv began business?" Mr.. Frazer was
asked.
'Well. as near as I can remember with
out reference to nv books about e, $50"
SIS that not rather small amount con-
sidering the immense number of suits
entered in the past five years by them?"
'Tt does seem small, but as 1 said before
fines were suspended and defendants
discharged in many cases. l never made
anv investigation of the accounts because l
believed the reports were correct"
\
Frazer sfhe first Law and Order suits were
brought before the late Alderman Cassidy
He had collected S430 in fines when the
question was raised whether the money
should go TO the county, the State or the
Door guardians When it was settled.
Cassidy paid the money to me. In the
meantime the business of the Law and
Order Society had been transferred to AL
derman Carlisle, who paid about s., 200
during his term of office and 5000 more at
the end of his term. Alderman Bell paid
about 500, and Brinker S150 on Law and
Order cases before them. Judge Hyndnian
paid $3.50 on that Opera House Sunday
parade recently, but that is not included in
the sum / first mentioned
Mr. Frazer was not prepared t. say that
any sharp practices had been tried by AL
dermen in Law and Order cases in the past,
but it was evident from his manner that he
will attend to it that none are permitted in
the future, and Alderman Robe will prob
ably be the first TO find it out.
Pittsburg Becoming a Laughing Stock.
Ex-Congressman John H. Wise, of vir-
ginia, was at the depot last evening going
home to New York. His fat, chubby face
wore a frown, and then he said with smile:
"Why don't the people here build wall
around the town? Why is it man can't
buy glass of soda water or cigar in Pitts
burg on Sunday? l ate supper with Con-
gressman Hatch, of Missouri, and he
coudn' purchase bottle of appolinaris for
his family He grumbled considerably
about it, but it didn't do any good. 1
watched Hatch drinking water, and
thought it would freeze in his mouth.
THE DISPATCH man then explained that
a few people in the name of the Law and
Order Society for share in the fines were
making the old Blue Laws odious, and now
they are threatening to stop the publication
Of newspapers, the running of street cars,
ETC., on Sunday. 'Oh, I see,' replied the
Virginian, sarcastically, 81 now understand
why Pittsburg is fast becoming the laugh
ing stock of the country on the Sunday
question. And do the people here put up
with the dictation of few people? 1t is
an outrage, and in no other city would they
be tolerated. l am surprised that Pitts
burgers don't rise up and run them ont of
town. The Sunday newspaper is a dcserv-
ing institution, and meets popular de-
mand which is based on good sense and
reason"
''Pshaw,' said Congressman Hatch, 1n-
ter7upting Mr.. Wise, "Pittsburg people
seem to be afraid to breathe on Sunday.
Travellers are forced to suffer all sorts of
discomforts in this town, because the citi-
zens allow a few people, backed up by an
obsolete law, to run the city
Gcred by Eull and Died.
n -e ,-o,., aJJ ILL