The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-18
RIFT GETS THE PLUM
ELECTED ASSESSOR AT YEsTER-
DAYS MEETING OF THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
sENG WILL REFUSE TO vAcATE
Present Assessor Says He Is Entitled
to Hold His once Until the New
Law Is Observation-Disclosures 1t
Is Unconstitutional Mr.. RIFT
Has Been Prominent In Ward
Politics.


The board of county commissioners met
yesterday morning and. as those who
read the Globe, were told would be the
case, elected Gregory P. Ritz assessor af-
ter six formal ballots. The election is
said to have been the result of combf-
nation with William p Snow. former
deputy bank examiner, who will be ap-
pointed deputy assessor. Furthermore,
Assessor Seng does not take kindly to
the idea of giving up his Office, and will
make application to the attorney general
for permission to begin quo warrauto
proceedings for the purpose of having
the election declared invalid on the
ground of the unconstitutionality Of the
law. Meanwhile a guard will be main
tanned in the assessors office, and any
one who tries to take possession will have
to wade through the gore of the assessor
de facto and Deputy Henry Yost.
The board met at II o'clock, but the
press OF routine matters prevented the
assessorship question being brought up
until after l o'clock, when Commissioner
Hardick moved that the law requiring the
election of an assessor be read by Secre-
tary Drummond. The law provides for
the election Of a county assessor in all
counties having a population between
100000 and $4,000 to be elected at the first
regular meeting of the board of county
commissioners following the passage of
the act, the duration of the term to be
two years and the salary $500 per an
mum.
Commissioner Quehl moved that the
vote be open, but a motion for q secret
ballot by Commissioner Hardick was car
ried by vote of to 8. with the mayor,
Commissioners Lott and Quehl voting In
the negative.
There were almost as many nomina-
lions as members Of the board. Gregory
P. Ritz was nominated by Commissioner
Gray, w. P. Snow by Commissioner Har-
dick. Chester R. Smith by Mayor Kiefer,
P. G. Justus by Commissioner Lott, Rob-
ert Seng by Commissioner Wright, and
August Filter by Commissioner Quehl.
An informal ballot gave Ritz 2. Snow /,
Smith 1. Justus and Seng 1. The next
Justus each. The sixth and final bal
lot resulted in Mr.. RIFT receiving four
votes, or enough to elect.
The newly elected assessor was born
at Buffalo In 1853 and came to st. Paul in
1877 For nine years he was engaged In
the grocery business, and was appointed
assistant state weigh master by Gov.
Merriam in 1890. He was appointed dep
uty city treasurer and served out his
term. Then Mr.. RIFT entered the real
estate business, and continued In that
until April. 1895, when he was appointed
to the clerkship in the county auditors
office. which he now holds He resides
at 1853 Dawson street.-ard mas always
taken a prominent part In ward politics.
He has a wife and a large family. y
81 shall not give up the office until
have ascertained whether the law is con-
stitutional or not" said Assessor Seng
yesterday afternoon. 81 have engaged
Attorney Westfall to represent my inter-
ests, and shall hold on to this office until
he advises me differently. I am entitled
to that degree Of consideration any
way"
The board, as a committee Of the
whole, adopted the published amendments
to the proposed White Bear-St. Paul
electric street railway franchise, but left
the matter Of routes to come up as a
special order of business at meeting
next Saturday at II q. m. E. A. Young,
who was present on behalf of the pro-
motors of the road, suggested a new
route on Prosperity avenue that was
taken under consideration. -
1t appeared that the contract for mac
adam1Ztng the White Bear road and Rice
street had been let to J. w. FIeetham.
and Commissioner Hardick was instruct
ed to find out why no work had been &C
complished.
A request Of George F. Spangler Of
Duluth, for permission to drain swamp
lands into Bald Eagle lake was referred.
and the same disposition was made Of
a claim for freight charges on fuel fur
nished the board of control. presented
by the st. Paul & Duluth road.
At the suggestion of the state auditor,
the board appointed Commissioner Gray
as appraiser of state lands in Ramsey
county.
Commissioner Powers and the county
surveyor were instructed to wait on the
ST. Paul & Duluth railroad, and the Min
neapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste Marie
to have something done to make the eros
sings in the county less dangerous.
A resolution, by Commissioner Hardick,
was passed appropriating $3.50 for re-
pairs on the cycle path between the city
limits, and Bald Eagle lake. The county
surveyor was also instructed to report on
the ACCESSIBILITY of building a cycle path
from the limits Of Smelling avenue, and
frcm Josephine lake to New Brighton.
Fashion and Ladies' Tailoring.