The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-25

The facts published in The G o e
yesterday concerning two instances in
which Thomas F. Conroy, clerk of the
municipal court, has been compelled
by legal proceedings to refund bail
money unlawfully retained by him
caused much comment.
To Republican politicians and Of
flcials the only surprise was that the
facts had been smothered so long. The
general public. however. had no idea
that such state of affairs existed, and
ii is safe to say that an investigation
will be demanded.
Last spring when a move was on foot
to depose Conroy or ConrograbeE as
the name appears in Ed Rogers Of
fetal court calendar index, from his
position, it was stated by an official
Of the court that there was no chance
for this action until after the Wallace
case had been settled. Just what the
Wallace caD; was at that time was
something of a mystery, but 1t now
turns out that the court official knew
what he was talking about
The leading aspirant for the posi-
tion Of clerk of the municipal court at
that time was Billy" Johnson, now
auditor elect Mr.. Johnson had Just
been thrown down at the. Republican
county convention for city treasurer.
His term as a member Of the assembly
had also expired and he was looking
for something to do with pay from the
city attached. His friends picked out
the position Of clerk Of the municipal
court as just suited to his abilities and
a hustle was made to get Johnson the
place. Judge Hine, who had been
chosen as one Of the judges at the
spring election, was willing to agree
to Johnsons appointment, but Judge
Orr, who had been reelected, would
agree to nothing which would take the
$3.50 per month away from Conroy.
All kinds Of pressure were brought
to bear on Judge Orr, but he stood firm
for Conroy and would not listen to any
arguments. 1t having been stated that
one Of the reasons for Judge Orr stick
ing so close TO Conroy was that the
clerk Of the court owed him money,
friends Of Johnson went to Judge Orr
and promised to make good the
amount. in case Conroy failed to pay.
To this proposition Judge Orr, while
neither affirming nor denying that Con-
roy owed him money, replied that the
plan saVOred too much of buying the
position and still stuck to Conroy His
action in standing by Conroy has
caused no end Of conjecture of one
kind or another.
An attempt was made to take adj
vantage of the law Which allows the
NAtA n VI LAAt OOnAl 70 DG utpOSGQ ny ID
two-third vote Of each branch of the
council. The attempt proved futile, as
the requisite number of votes could not
BE- secured in the board Of aldermen,
those favoring the busting Of COnroy
and the appointment II Johnson lack
ing one vote of the eight needed in
the board of aldermen.
JUDGE HINE WOULDN'T TALK.
Judge Hine who, with Judge Orr,
has the appointment of the clerk of
the court over which they preside, was
seen last evening and declared that he
knew nothing about the Wallace case
until "a week or so ago, when the case
was set for trial in the district court.
THE case was disposed of before
entered upon my duties as one of the
Judges Of the court" said Judge Hine.
and l know nothing about the facts
except as stated in The G lobe. As
one Of the judges Of the municipal
court l am in favor Of some provision,
If there IS none at present, which will
make ii not only possible but certain
that persons depositing bail money in
the court shall have the same returned
to them as soon as the case is disposed
Of
"As matter Of law 1 suppose the
municipal court has not the power or
right 10 accept cash bail In cases
where persons are held for a prelim-
mary hearing or. for that matter in
cases Of misdemeanor, but ii is done
In order to facilitate business. AS long
as ii is made custom of the court to
accept cash bail, there should certainly
be some provision that would insure
the return of the bail money promptly
and as soon as the case is disposed of. -
As to what action would be taken or
whether an Investigation would be
made Tho Nrnl1aaa
Hine said he did not know He had
not seen or consulted with his COL
league, Judge Orr, and had no idea as
to what would be done, If anything.
JUDGE ORR RETICENT.
Judge Orr, when asked yesterday
concerning Clerk Conroy's action. APP
peared dlsirclined to discuss the sub
Ject he said he was not familiar with
all Of the facts published in The
c b Of yesterday. and, in fact,
all he knew of the matter was
merely from hearsay
VIII there be an Investigation p"
Judge Orr was asked.
Il DO not know" he replied 1 cannot
say until l have consulted with Judge
Hine."
VIII the judges take any action
looking to Conroy's removal?"
i am not now prepared to state"
What reason had Conroy for retain
ing Waliace's money after the order
Of the court TO return ito"
Il am told that Conroy claimed there
was an assignment of the money made
and that he refused TO refund the
morey until this assignment was pro-
diced"
why, then, was not this assignment
urged in answer to Wallace's sun?"
That | cannot say The suit con-
cerned onSE Mr.. Conroy. I do not know
positively that there was an assign
neent.'
rs the council likely to rotice Clerk
ConNoy's course?'
That is matter for the council
TO determine"
Were you ever seen by Mr.. Wallace
In regard 10 Conroy paying back the
money!"
Il was rot I had no connection with
the case"
I'm view of the complications in the
Wallace case viii the Judges Of the mu-
nicipal court recommend some other
method for the receipt of bail money!
WILL CONSULT JUDGE HINE.
las said before I am not familiar
with all of the facts. I viii consult
with Judge Hine. Until then can
say nothing authoritatively."
Was there not the same trouble in
the Michaels case some time before
the Wallace lncident?'
Not the same kind of trouble. Mich
aels' money was tied up in the Mime
sofa Savings bank along with some
$500 more Of bail money and Conroy' :
personal funds. When the bank failed
al of this money was tied I'D. Many