St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-20

Alderman Harry Franklin and ex-build-
ing inspector, Mr.. Chas. A. F. Morris.
and the employees engaged in the Office
of the building inspector under the
administration of said Morris" You
also add ''you Qhe GLoBE) are requested
to appear before the committee at the
time named, and submit the evidence
upon which your charges in the matter
are made.''
In behalf of the 81. Paul DAHL Y GLOBE.
/ desire to say that we recognize no
authority on the part of your committee
to call ourselves, or any other persons,
before your honorable body; and. as no
practical results are likely to follow
from the work of a powerless COM
mittee, we must decline to be party to
an investigation foreordained to fail to
find the facts III the premises. The
very reading of your notice shows that
the party or parties preparing the basis
for the Investigation did not design that
it should meet the actual situation,
The GLOBE has published no charges
rejecting on the official integrity of ex-
Building Inspector Charles A. F. Morris
OF any Of the employees in his office. The
report as published was that ex-Ald
Franklin was alleged to have used his
official position to make a money levy
upon the building inspectors Office;
and, while the discretion of Mr.. Morris
and his employees in submitting to such
an alleged levy may very properly be
subject Of criticism, the alleged ar
rangemenr, SO far as any charges made
public are concerned, does not neces-
sarily reflect on their official integrity
That matter has manifestly been
brought in by ex-Ald. Franklin's attor-
ney with view of shielding his client,
and not with purpose of ascertaining
the facts.
The GLOBE has no desire to shield
Mr.. Morris or his employees in any
wrong-doing in the premises, but it
does not propose to permit your honor
able body to place it. even by implica-
ton, in position which it does not, and
has not, occupied, condition which
the reading of your notification evident
ly shows to be the intent of the attorney
for the accused.
to appear before any tribunal clothed
with power and intent to ascertain the
facts concerning the charges made
against eX-Ald. Franklin, and give uch
information as they may possess bear
ing upon the matter. In advance of the
matter being brought before such a
tribunal, we must respectfully decline
to be party to any movement which
can only develop portion, if any, of
was manifestly designed by its origi-
nators to acquit prior to some more seri-
Gus inquiry. Very respectfully sub
mitted. II. p. HALL,
Managing Editor Globe.
GETTING READY FOR WORK.
Aid. Conley asked if Mr.. Hall, of the
GLOBE, had been sent for. Mr.. Mark
ham said not otherwise than by the
letter sent to the GLOBE. Mr.. Lightner
asked if other communications had
been received; if one. had been received
from the News. and stated that he saw
that MIR. franklin was present.
Chairman Markham inquired In a
loud voice if any one was present to
represent the News? [Pause.l Any per-
son present to represent the DAILY
GLOBE desiring to be heard? :lPause. !
Any one representing the Dispatch?
Pioneer Press? / hear no response.
MIR. Lightner-Is any one present
representing the building inspectors
office?
Some one in the audience responded
that all the building inspectors force
was present.
Mr.. Van Slyke-I want to know what
authority there is to investigate private
citizens by this committee?
Chairman Markham said: "This is an
inquiry, to some extent, official in char
acter, to Investigate the charges and to
report to the council. Of course it is
true that the committee has no power to
compel attendance of witnesses, but I
should think persons would gladly ap-
pear"
Mr.. Doran-This is to investigate GER
tain charges made in the papers as to an
officer receiving money. l believe there
are persons present who can say whether
the charges as to taking money from the
building inspectors Office for the past
eighteen months are true. In view of
the fact that Mr.. Franklin is still an
officer of the city, move that the as
sistant building inspector and OF her
persons In that Office be heard.
Corporation Attorney Chamberlain
stated that he had communication
from the county attorney bearing on
sections of the penal code. and suggested
that the county attorney be sent for be-
fore the motion was put. By consent,
the county attorney was sent for.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OBJECTS.
MIR. Butler, after hearing the status
explained, was asked to make state
ment.
Mr.. Lightner objected to hearing the
county attorney unless he desired to be
heard. He was not in favor of asking
that he be heard unless the county at
torney desire d to make a statement, but
was opposed to doing anything that
shall prevent making an investigation
by the committee.
Mr.. Butler said: 81 am not officially
advised as to your purpose, but if this
is to be an investigation OF citizen on
the question of receiving bribe, and
the examination of witnesses as to Civ
ing bribe, l, as public prosecutor,
desire to be heard"
After reading the resolution Mr.. But
Ter said: II desire to be heard. do
not desire to obstruct the committee. 1t
has come to my knowledge. officially.
that at the meeting of the grand jury
there are certain citizens who desire to
make charges as to receiving and giving
of bribe." The section Of the penal
code was read by Mr.. Butler, reciting
that the investigation would preclude
the ipr 'stigation by the grand jury, as
a fo ,vestigation may be pleaded
in exe bar of the trial IN court.
''If this Investigation is made, and there