The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-29
CHARGES TO SPITE
s. G. STEBBINS, OF WINNEBAGO
CITY, TALKS ABOUT HAIL IN
sURANCE SCANDAL.
OFFICER NAMED HODGEMAN,
FORMERLY CONNECTED WITH THE
CONCERN, ACCREDITED WITH
SOME CALUMNIES.
VAN SAINT MAY LOSE STRENGTH
Senator Sperry Says the Next Few
Months May Change Sentiment
In Marked Degree.

Additional light was thrown upon
the affairs of the State Mutual Hail
Association of Winnebago City yester-
day, by S. c. Stebbins,a prominent mer-
chant of that place. The statement of
Mr. Stebbins, made to the G l o b yes
terday afternoon, carries additional
weight, from the fact that he has re-
sliced in Winnebago City for a number
of years, has been actively engaged in
business there, and knows nearly every
man in the county. Mr.. Stebbins claims
that the sentiment of the people of the
place and the surrounding country is
favorable toward the continuance of
the hail association, and makes the fol-
lowing statement, which, he says,
would be indorsed by all the leading
men of the county. He said the dis
patch to the G o b e, published yester-
day, was prompted by a former officer
of the concern who was frozen out at
the last election of the association, and
who has, since his failure to secure re-
election, been continuing, through the
agency Of q newly organized company,
to secure the dissolution of the hail asso-
citation. Il understand said Mr.. Steb-
requested that their names be dropped
as stockholders have sent a request to
Mr.. Dearth that their names be con-
tinued as stockholders of the compa-
ny, as the request which they made to
! be relieved was made under a misun-
Outstanding. Mr.. Dearth told me that
! he was going to Winnebago City today.
1t is true that larger salaries were paid
than the business of the company war
lie no
in the city. and the people in our vi
cinity are anxious to see it continue.
To this end a petition has been c1rcu-
! lated and presented to Mr. Dearth,
signed by State Senator George D. Nc
Arthur the sheriff, register of deeds
and nearly all the solid business men
of the city Both the local banks have
also signed the petition. w. H. Hodge
man, who was attorney and superin-
tendent of agencies last year, received
a salary of 81 800 per year for his serv-
ices. This is the largest salary paid in
the city, and a desirable position.
When Mr.. Hodgeman failed in the cleo
ton, and H. L. Bulls was elected to
succeed him as attorney for the compa-
ny, he became identified with another
concern, and [ think the telegram
which was sent to the G o b was
prompted out of a desire to get back at
the company, as the company is neither
under ban, nor is there any indigna-
ton on the part of the farmers in the
vicinity. They believe the insurance
commissioner can adjust the matter.
and I think the fact that nine of the
stockholders or directors who signed
the communication to Commissioner
Dearth have requested him to have
their names on the dictatorship of the
company IS evidence in itself of the
circumstances, and the extremity to
which Mr.. Hodgeman went in his
grudge against the company. L don't
doubt but what the article in the
G e this morning has worked up
some Of our people down there, yet I
think, when Mr.. Dearth arrives, the
matter of adjustment of salaries can
be arranged. Everybody down there is
anxious to have the thing Strengthened
out, which would insure them a full
payment of all losses, and a continu-
ance Of the largest enterprise in the
city.
State Senator w A. Sperry, of
Owatonna, came up yesterday and
spent the day attending to some legal
business in the Twin Cities. Mr.. Sperry
was seen at the Merchants in the after
noon and said, when asked as to the
sentiment of the people Of Southern
Minnesota and Steele county, especially
upon the political situation: 'T think if
the next state convention were to be
held tomorrow, our district would go
for Van SAINT solid. But there are sew
eral months intervening between now
and the Republican convention and
during that time sentiment NAV
change. Or more probable still, there
may be other things enter into the
gubernatorial contest which we cannot
foresee. One thing to be said for the
First district is that we will support
any selection which the convention may
make. l think that the First will re-
elect Congressman Tawney, although
it is yet early to make an adequate pre-
diction. However, think the First will
stand as unit, and I don't think the
selection of Mr.. Peterson as collector
Of customs will make a split in the
delegations from the southern part of
the state. Mr.. Diment and Congress
man Tawney and their friends will,