The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-17
COMMITTEE MADE KNOWN.
Pillsbury, Washburn, Peavey and
Others Working the Reform

OtnGFS WORKING tine REFORM.
The publication yesterday morning OF
the exact nature of the charges to be
preferred against certain city alder
men and city officials was the first
notice to the people Of Minneapolis
of the seriousness of the crimes which,
it is alleged, have been committed by
those whom they had chosen to serve
their interests and protect their rights
That irregularities had been commit
ted in connection with affairs of the
city few doubted but that they had
been of SO grave g character was not
suspected. In body of men such as
is the city council Of Minneapolis
tWenty-six in number-ft would, per-
haps, not be strange to find one or two
dishonest ones. Such a state Of af-
fairs would not be surprising. Those
Who have been conducting the investi-
cation, claim. however, that over half
of the aldermen OF this city are cor
rupt. That more than thirteen of them
are susceptible to bribery That some
of them make 1t a practice to demand
that monies shall be turned over to
them in order to secure their aid as
members of the common council In
their official positions.
Those who are making the fight for
reform are doing so because they are
good citizens of Minneapolis. 1T Is not
because they have any personal feelings
in the matter, unless it be an injury
to their pride in witnessing what must
be dragging through the mire the
name of the city which they are proud
to call their home. That this is true
there is no doubt when the names OF
the gentlemen themselves are men
toned. Among those who have con-
tributed to the expenses connected
with the investigation and have there
by endorsed 1t in no uncertain way, are
i los A L r.
Senator W. d. Washburn, w. Ell. Dun-
wcodie, Anthony Kelly, Percy Jones.
George r. Lyman. Senator J. T. Wy
man, ex-Mayor Babb and many others.
all of them men who are respected as
good citizens.
The above named gentlemen have
not all been connected with the COM
mittee from the commencement of the
work. Some of them have, however.
When the movement began there was
some little difficulty in securing back
ing in the shape Of funds and encour-
agement. One weeks investigation.
however, removed this barrier and
what the future was to re-
veal, what the committee claim
has been revealed more municipal
rottenness than has ever existed or
exists today in any city in the United
States.
On Top Oh the lnIOrndJlOn laid before
the people came the charge of Judge
Pond to the grand jury No such
charge was ever heard in Minneapolis.
before, and those who had doubted
for moment that there was nothing
behind the accusations which have, in
the past twenty-four hours become.
public property, were forced to believe
that something must exist to draw
from q judge Of the district court such
a scathing address as was delivered TO-
the men who have sworn to fully weigh
the evidence tc be brought before
them and punish those, through an In
dictment, who may deserve such pun
ishment
Not only do these grave charges rest
at the doors of the aldermen the police
department and the city clerk. but IL
was said yesterday by one of the re-
formers that with perhaps a single
exception every department in the mu--
nicipal government of this city was
rotten to the core. Not that every man
In every department was dishonest.
but enough dishonesty existed to place
a cloud over almost every departmental
head.
This is a serious charge indeed. and
IL 1t were not that these reformers de-
Continued en Thsra Page.