St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-19
JIM'S AWFUL HAMMER
JUDGE SCHOONMANER WANTS
TO ABOLISH EVERYTHING.
He ADDRESSES REFORMERS
At Seventh Ward Meeting and
Swings His Battle AK with
Great ReckIcssness.

uO5C dilO Tie
Seventh Ward Municipal league
held an abolition meeting last
evening at the Albion. They abol-
ished the board of control, ami
hilated the salaries OF the deputy
clerks of the district court and of the
assistant county attorney, the cor
oner, the second and third assistant
corporation attorneys and the assist
ant health commissioner
President Tighe being out of the
city, e. J. Hodgson, vice president
took the chair, and promptly an
nounced the purpose of the meeting
to be the reduction of taxation. He
admitted that the city and county
might obtain the meetings. consent
to the payment of present salaries,
providing they did not exceed $40
or $50 per month. Above those fig
ureS he regarded no salary as sa-
cred, not even the salaries of the
judiciary. In fact, the purchasing
power of money had so increased
during the past eight years that
every one was now making more
money than ever-except the cap
italists who own much real estate.
These latter are unfortunately grow
ing poorer each year, and, unless
their taxes can be reduced, they are
likely even to leave the city. Under
these circumstances it ought to be
a positive pleasure for the public
officers, whose pay has been so con-
stantly increasing, to accept a de-
cided reduction
While awaiting the report of the
executive committee, Mr. Willius be-
guiled the assemblage with a clip
ping from some Minneapolis paper,
Which, as read by Secretary Wright.
disclosed a weird parable of NUM-
cipal frogs
Judge Schoonmaker then began his
deadly work of abolition. From this
time forward the session resolved it.
self into Judge Schoonmaker. IT is
true that the rest of the league went
through the form of adopting the
judges resolutions, but the opera-
ton was as perfunctory as the an
prevail of a cars ukase by his cab
met council. The pleasing TRANQUIL
hty OF these proceedings was once
or twice interrupted by a protest
from S. E. Anderson and w T.
Bramhall, but they were soon made
10 feel like giaOurS in the MOSQUE of
the faithful. Judge Schoonmaker,s
resolutions were all of a piece and
expressed the sense of the meeting
that certain special laws establish
ing certain offices or salaries ought
to be abolished, in accordance with
o1ils to be presented or already pre-
sented to the legislature. He first
abolished the board of control.
A USELESS BODY.
or the boards clerk-whicheyer would
go the easiest. Next, he abolished 4ba
sasary OF 50 per day now paid the
deputy clerks OF the district court so
lnat they may be paid from the gem
eral ices of the clerks office. He tbap
plotted out the assistant county at
tofhey. MIR. Anderson had the temer
lty TO OBJECT to this on the remarkab HE
ground that 1t was really necessary
TO nave an able man as county at
torney, and that the large business
Oh the once required the services of
an assistant. The objector was speed
lily informed that the way to reform
was TO reform, and Judge Schoon-
maker proceeded to relieve the cor
oner OF the temptation of a regular
salary, and placed him upon the frugal
basis of the small state fees.
Inc judges axe was now applied to
the necks of the second and third as
s1stant corporation attorneys. and
their execution was neatly effected af-
ter some trlf11ng delay, due to the
foolish suggestion of Mr.. BramhaU
that, with competent aid, the attorney
might save the city in one case the sal
aries OF his assistants for many wears
The executive committee here re-
ported some resolutions, approving of
the reduction of city and county sal
aries; the abolition Of the fee system:
Ozmnn's corrupt practices bill; Shee-
hams bill for a constitutional amend
ment as to charters; civil service. and
primary election law, and disap-
proving Of the Howard bill and the
abolition of the water frontage tax.
except after it has been paid by the
property for ten years. The report did
not abolish everything it mentioned
and therefore, presumably, was laid
on the table for the time being. as
out of accord with the spirit of the
meeting.
Freed once more from interruption.
Judge Schoonmaker was about to
abolish the assistant city and county
physicians, when MIR. Bramhall made
some ironical remarks as to the ten
dency Of the league to cut and slash
every salary that was mentioned.
Pleased with this drollery, the Judge
graciously consented to his last mo-
TONS being referred to the executive |
committee. He then abolished the
assistant health commissioner, and.
as no one could suggest an office that |
hadn't been abolished, the judge adj |
iourned his bloody assize." and his