The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-02
LOCK CHANGED IN THE NIGHT.
OLD MEMBERS FOUND THEMSELVES
BARRED OUT WHEN THEY
SHOWED UP.
POLICEMEN swARMED AROUND.
Were Placed Around to See That
Mayor DOran'ss Appointee Was
Properly Installed.

AS preOlcteu IN the u o e, he took
possession by foree-or, rather, by
trickery. He named as chief clerk
John c. Mueller, who formerly held
the Office, and technically placed MueI-
Ter in charge of all the records and
papers contained in the office. Then
he settled down to enjoy the office,
with its emoluments, and to await de-
velopments...
The Republican sehemers had fully
expected that the old board would
hold possession of the office. in order
to be in possession Saturday morning
when Commissioner Copeland should
make his appearance. But the men,
bers left the Office at o'clock Friday
evening, and not one of them troubled
himself any further about the matter
until yesterday morning. In the mean
time-or, to be precise, about dawn
ON Saturday morning-Frank H. Day-
ton, custodian of the city hall and
court house, had a locksmith on hand
and changed the lock on the door
leading into the office of the board Of
public works.
consequently when R. L. German.
president of the board, appeared at the
door yesterday morning at 8:45, he could
not open it, and was forced to stand
around and wait. It was As minutes
later when Mr. Copeland, the newly
named commissioner had taken the
official oath from City Clerk Jensen, in
the mayors officer, received his COM
mission, and proceeded with uncovered
mead to the board Of public works
once. AS Mr.. Copeland approached the
little hallway leading into the rooms
Oh the board, several policemen stepped
out of the chambers of Judge Brill
ana Gus and advanced to his support
But IN the meantime, Messrs Quin-
by, Banholzer and Hare had Joined
PRESIDENT German, and the clerks of
the board were also present Attorney
Jared How, the legal adviser Of the
board was also on hand, and, he pro-
ceeded to do business with Custodian
Dayton.
Are you~the- custodian of this build
ing asked Mr.; -Hozss~ss-=<--a4.
Have youa key to that door?'
81 have
Wei, in the name of the board Of
pubic works. demand that you open
the door,
Il must refuse to do So"
By what authority"
by authority of the mayor Of the
city, s..
DO you take your orders from the
mayor or the court house commits
Sion?"
From the mayor as chairman of the
board"
At this point Commissioner Copeland
arrived and shook hands with the
members of the board, all of whom he
knew personally. This ceremony over.
he walked to the door, accompanied by
City Clerk Jensen and reinforced by
several police officers who had emerg-
ed from near by doorways. DAYTON
opened the door with the new key and
passed in, with Copeland and Jensen.
Inside they found Police Sergt Ernest
Boerner, who had been for hours wait
ing to guard the wicket that gave en-
trance to the inner room. Commissioner
Copeland handed his commission to
Custodian Dayton, who had evidently
been trained for the part he was to
play. Neryously he looked. over the
ofhclal document to- satisfy his con-
science that it was correct, then said
to Andy Call the big patrolman:
Let this man pass-and no one else"
The handsomest copper in America
nodded, to assure Dayton he was I'M
derstood, and planted his well-matured
body before the frai1 gate.
Commissioners Copeland halted inside
the wicket and expectantly looked
toward the courtly Capt. German, who
at once stepped UP and inquired:
MIR. Copeland, do you refuse to let
me enter that Officer
"At present do" replied Mr.. Cope
land.
Then, turning to the officer, Capt.
German inquired:
DO you refuse to let me pass?"
II am so instructed" was the reply.
From whom do you get your in
structions-the custodian of this build
ing?"
my orders are from the mayor"
Then 1T is by order of the mayor
that am excluded, is it?"
cit is SIR
81 now demand admittance in the
name of the board of public works.
Il muse refuse to let you enter re-
turned Officer Call, courteously but de-
cisively
The president Of the board of public
works and Mr.. Copeland consulted to-
gether momentarily, in a low voice:
then Copeland proceeded into the
board room proper. President German
and his three colleagues, with their
clerks, took seats in the space reserved
for the public. There they sat most
of the day, chatting together or with
friends
inside Mr.. Copeland was receiving
the congratulations of favored friends.
After dinner he was Joined by John C.
Mueller, whom he named as his clerk.
When seen at o'clock last night. the
new commissioner said he would name
his office force Monday or Tuesday:
but beyond that he had nothing to say.
There was big crowd in the corridor
when the new officer took possession.
and it was noticeable that every room
in close proximity to the office. of the
board of public works was filed with
deputy sheriffs and police officers.
Their services were not needed, how
ever.
President German and his colleagues
Will show up at the office every day.
prepared to perform their duties. IF
we are prevented from doing so by
force we canot help it, said Mr.. Cor
man; and he would not go any further
in explanation.
Corporation Attorney Darragh and
his assistants hold that the board of
public works can meet anywhere and
proceed to administer the affairs of
their office just as legally as in the old
quarters.
After the excitement was over. At
torney Jared How said:
Somebody has lied to u.s. saw Mr..
Markham, who has been the advisor
of the mayor in this matter. and he
assured me that at this time the CITY
would not take any forcible means to
exclude the board from the Office. 1t
was our intention to have the cues
ton settled quietly and by process of
law, but this has not been done In
! stead, they put men to work at mid
night and had the lock changed on the
door. In my cntnion. the board had
/ -ly f1nr - 10y