The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-28
DESERVES PUBLIC SUPPORT.

The Clio b e desires, in behalf of
what it believes to be the overwhelm-
ing public sentiment in this jcommu-
nifty, to return thanks to the pres
ent grand jury. 1t is moved to this
rather unusual course by the much
more unusual comment and structures
that have been passed upon its work
by others. 1t is a well-knoWn and
usually unbroken rule in communities
governed by law to leave the agencies
of justice free to work without crit
icism or comment until the conflicting
rights and wrongs of issues have been
find in ST. Paul an extraordinary situ-
alton, where a few private individuals,
and at least one representative of the
press, bid defiance to the precedents
of decency and fall foul Of the grand
jury for performing an obvious duty
This is an interference with the course
ceedings, upon which the G o b e has
commented as they deserve, that
arouses a proper and indignant protest.
If there is one thing needed more
than another in this community today,
it is a strict apportionment of the pen
alties provided by law to those who
have been false to their trust. We
know that mistakes have been made
in some cases, and that worse was done
in others, in the administration OF
financial affairs in St. Paul. We owe
it to ourselves, we owe it to the reputa-
ton of this city abroad, and we owe it
to those who have been brought to
suffering and destitution, to investi-
gate this fully and to punish those ac--
tually guilty, no matter who or what
they are. In the face Of the enormous
losses that have been inflicted upon
our people and the wrongs that nave
been perpetrated, it is an incredible
thing that men should be found to
criticise this grand jury for being "too
severe" and to try. in the journalistic
forum, and acquit, on ex parte evi--
dence, those against whom 1t has
found indictments. We warn all those
who are interested in this performance
that it will not do. They ought to
know without warning that they are
taking the surest course to prejudice
those who may be, for one reason or
another, their clients, and to create in
this city an irresistible demand that
the laws be enforced and their penal
ties inflicted wherever the blow may
strike.
Not in a spirit of blind and evil re-
venge, which is all too powerful here;
not in the desire to chase the unfor-
tunate to deeper doom, not with the
thought of prosecuting or doing injus-
tice to any man, but with the fixed de-
termination that crime shall be expos
ed and that the guilty shall not es-
cape, must the work of justice go for
ward. All who are engaged in that de-
serve the sympathy, the commendation
ana the support OI Jul pCOPiC, anu IAiCy
will have it. Let those who would put
obstacles in the way, who would try
cases in the newspapers, instead of in
the courts; and who, upon presentation
of one side of the case, will dare say
that a body which had both sides be-
fore it was untrue to it's oath, beware
of the storm that they are raising. To
all who are engaged in purifying this
community, and in restoring and en-
forcing the penalties of an unregarded
law, we say godspeed: and If their eff
forts should be brought to naught we
shall know, and all the people will
know, where to locate the responsible
ity and the blame.