St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-30
THE GLOBE APpEALs.

full eyes. And this morning. by way OF
illustrating this truth, it may be said
that this Office has for a week or more
known that the Ramsey county grand
jury had it in mind to criticise publicly
the GLOBES attitude towards the man
agement of our local police force. The
original rumor to this effect probably
percolated on its way through the in
ventive brain Of some vengeful official,
and portended something much more
formidable than has been realized.
Had it's shape as primarily pictured
been accurate, our citizens would be
treated at this hour to bitter denuncla-
tions of this paper and the scarlfying OF
its staff and owners. AT least, to some
thing of this sort these same vengetul
officials have been looking forward as an
instrument for getting even" with the
GLOBE; and the GLOBES sense of graft
fication at the mild and impersonal char
acter Of the grand jury's reference to 1T
III its report is tempered by the con-
seriousness of the disappointment which
prevails at police headquarters over
this outcome.
The grand jury. however. has seen
fit to allude in terms of mud reproof
to this papers news department, which
is an achievement worthy of note and
possessed of the merit of novelty. 1t
saws in substance that the GLOBE has
exaggerated the record of crimes under
Mr.. GARvIN's administration, and that,
in its judgment, such eXaggeration
is inimical to the best Interests
of the city. With feeling of the
pIofOundest respect for the body and
the very worthy and honorable gen
tlemen who compose it, it may be said
in reply that, even if this were true, it
would "be none of the grand jury's
business The functions Of the grand
jury do rot include a general supervis
ion of all men and all mems manners
1t has certain Weli-detined duties to per-
form, and they are all of a public nature.
1t is charged with the consideration of
crimes against order and the dignity of
the state, and with the framing of in
dictments or presentments against
them. Ithas the right to suggest ideas
concerning the management OF public
institutions and the improvement of pub
lie morals. But when it assumes to play
the role of general mentor and cen
sor of individuals Ill their private capac-
tiles, it steps outside its sphere and in
trudes into region which should be
kept sacred from its presence land where
its presence is attended with the grav-
est danger to its own influence and the
comfort and safety Of the community.
The GLOBE does not advance these
suggestions in any spirit of sensitive
ness, however, and would not be under
stood as SO doing. For one reason, it
counts itself superior to such criticism,
even when proceeding from so rep
utable source. For another reason, it
has in this particular instance, as we'll
as in all other cases where it takes
determined stand on public issue. the
Endorsement Of clean conscience. In
spite of the grand jury's timid hint to
the contrary, the fact remains that
crime has been infinitely more rampant
in st. Paul since the resignation of
Chief CLARK than it was during his
official term. The present grand jury
at its two sessions has returned, as the
GLOBE is Informed, in the neIghbOr-
hood Of ninety indictments, which is
number extraordinarily large when
compared with the doings of pre-
vIous juries. Not only is this
true. but not single offense has been
reported III the columns of this paper
which is not capable of absolute verif-
cation from the records of the police or
the testimony of the parties concerned.
Were the blue book at the police head
quarters opened to public inspection
with the same generosity as to current
crimes as it has been to the antiquarian
of the Dispatch in his search for rob-
berries decade old, it would show that
instead of eXaggerating the facts the
GLOBE has never referred to hundreds
of criminal episodes committed within
our borders of late. the perpetrators of
which have never been apprehended
and never will be punished. The most
uncommon zeal is displayed at the stone
building on Third street in hushing up
the news of such things, and the i'm
perial government of France during the
war with Prussia never developed any,
thing like the capacity to conceal dis
asters from the public mind which Mr..
GARvIN has proved himself the possess
sor of.
The only sin to which the GLOBE
pleads guilty in this connection is Ger
tain fippancy of treatment of a very
serious matter. This is not due to it's
underestimation of what the prevailing
lawlessness connotes. But its policy in
general is to convey important truths
under a, lightsome garb. This may be
a mistaken policy, but its motives are
none the less Of the highest. 1t has only
the kindest personal feelings for Mr..
GARvIN. in spite of his threats of ''get-
ting even" with it for its performance
OF public duty. 1t has often spoken
in admiration of his character and of
his genial and attractive qualities. But
it solemnly repeats that thieves, gar
rioters, highwaymen, thugs, gamblers
and confidence men have obtained a
footing in st. Paul under his regime
which they have never had before. 1t
also solemnly repeats that either he
must drive them out or he must be
driven out himself.