St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-21
GALL 1T AN "INDIsCsETloN.

CALL 1T AN "iNDISCRETION."
OF course, every one familiar with
| the Pioneer Press "call it a loan" and
sleeping partner" journalistic tactics
expected that paper to rush to eX-Ald'
| Franklin'S defense, Notwithstanding the
shameful exposure before the council
committee yesterday. Here is the 2. p.
solution OF the matter:
The bottom facts have been brought
to light. They show that ALI. Franklin
was guilty OF Il serious indiscretion;
but they acQuit him of any intentional
| wrong"
Call it an "indiscretion" instead of
Intentional wrong" can now be added
to the bright galaxy of apologies for
criminal acts.
Witness Mccarthy testified:
II took him (Frankiiu) down SIS. He
at first refused to take 1t. l asked him
why, and he said he considered it
BRIDE"
Call it an "indiscretion" instead of
"bribe."
Continuing, McCarthy's testimony
reads:
Did he take ito"
"9es, SIR"
"How much?"
Fifteen dollars"
Call it an "indiscretion" instead Of
Fifteen dollars"
The witness further testified:
Il think Mr.. O'Bren objected and
said it was bad business. If it got out,
he thought, it would be bad business.
L said that could not see how it would.
1t was no bride. We could hold our
tongues. The papers need not get hold
of it,"
Call it an "indiscretion'' instead of
''bad business"
Witness A. j. Meyer testified as fol-
lows:
IL heard few days after the first
payment that it was to go to Mr.. Frank
lin for his influence as an alderman"
Call it an ''indiscretion"> instead of
Influence as an alderman"
When Franklin in his alarm offered
to pay the money back if the employees
would sign an affidavit that no such
transaction had occurred. Mr.. Meyer tes-
fed:
Il would not accept check or sign
an Affidavit
Call it an "indlscretion" instead of a
'check."
MIR. Meyer further said:
''Mr. Franklin was to 90 and see
Mum and have the affidavit drawn"
Gail it an 'indiscretion" instead of an
affidavit"
Another witness, George F. Woolsey,
testified as follows on the proposal of
Aid. Franklin to have a false affidavit
made:
There was talk about an affidavit. l
think Mr.. Franklin suggested the aft
dayit. l said that seemed wrong, as it
would appear that we were not giving
money outright. Mr.. Franklin went 10
see MIR. Mum. and it was decided not
to take the affidavit. 1t was talked that
the matter would get out. Mr. Nc
Carthy said there was no danger Of it
getting out as the men would not tell
about it. Ii was understood 10 be
present"
Call it an 'indiscretion" instead OF
present"
W. 2. O'Brien said:
MIR. Mccarthy suggested that we
make up purse to Mr.. Franklin, as he
would help US in the matter"
CdII III dH lHulScrellOil' instead or q
purse"
Witness T. F. Kelliher was quite
frank. He said:
Il heard rumors going around. 1t
was understood that it was to be kept
quiet. Mr.. Franklin came to the Office
told him the matter was getting out,
and might get into the papers. Mr..
Franklin seemed alarmed. Mr.. Morris
was not there. We had talk. agreed
with Mr.. Franklin that the money
should be paid back"
Call it an ''indiscretion" instead of
''alarm."
These scattering extracts from the
testimony show the basis for the P. P.'s
'indiscretion." That apologize sheet
also said in the same article that it
leaves ''him Franklin) to just censure
for the imprudence of having accepted
it at ALL"
AS compromise. how would it do for
the P. p. to focus its intellect on con-
centrated idea and pronounce 1t an ''im-
prudent indiseretion."
If that will not acquit a man for
stealing hem" what will?"