The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-29
PL0TS 10 DEFEAT THE PLAN} Of TIE VOTERS
POLICE. PLAN TO ARREST DEMO
CRATIC VOTERS on TRUMPED
UP CHARGES TO PREVENT
THEM FROM VOTING.
Recently Passed vagraEcy Ordi-
nance WAS Adopted with This
End In View for EIec-
tion Time.

Really the Republicans, in their des-
peraton, are resourcefuI in schemes. 1t
would seem also that for some time back
coming events had cast their shadows be-
fore, Some two months since, or follow
ing the appointment of McIntire to be
chief of detectives, the public was sur
prised by the passage through the coun-
ell OF a blanket Vagrant ordinance. 1t
was an ordinance which permitted the
arrest for vagrancy of almost any one
against whom the new chief of detectives
could bring the faintest tinge of a charge
To say that this ordinance produced con-
siderable astonishment in the mind of
the pubic is drawing it mild. 1t was
regular eye opener.
Wen, they tried it on a dog, as theatri-
cal speak Of a new play. Mclntire wanted
TO see how his new scheme worked, and
one night a number of young men, resi-
dents of the city, were ''pinched under
tbs new ordinance and run in for Vagran-
cy. The public is already familiar with
the result. All OF this batch were dis
charged, and the municipal court looked
askance at such a sweeping and wide
reaching legal provision placed in the
hands of the newly made chief of detect
ives.
But the scheme was deeper one than
the municipal judge VOTED of. 1t was
Joint production, hatched in the prolific
brains of Chief McIntire and Jake Stadt-
felt, of the Ducas street station. 1t had
been gotten up for election purposes only.
In other words, the new ordinance pos
sessed political significance. 1t now
comes into active operation under the IN
genius manipulation of Chief of Detect
h.
intends to run in" about $50 men, known
to be Democratic voters in St. Paul, and
hold them out at Como or in the county
jail under this new-fangIed vagrant act,
until after election. The persons whom
he has slated for ride in the Black Ma
ria are all poor devils, without many
friends, and with no money with which
to pay their fines For, had they that
much money of course they would not be
vagrants
Those people who wondered at the Iati-
tude to which the recent new vagrant law
was extended need wonder no longer.
OF course, its provisions we're drafted in
the expectation that it would prove ser
viceable in a campaign for Mayor Kiefer.
Circumstances, however, threw down
Kiefer good and hard, but the elastic CT
dinance remained and what more natural
than the expectation that the ordinance
would be a handy thing with which to
curry favor with Chet Smith,
If $50 men can be rounded I'D in a
bunch by Chief McIntire-all Democratic
Yoters-and hurried off TO Jail, with no
hope of securing bail and thus deprived
Of their votes the people of this city viii
be treated to a most edifying spectacle.
It is possible that McIntire may not have
the nerve to carry out his present inten-
ton, But he may rest assured that
should he do SO he will certainly increase
instead of decrease the plurality for
Robert A Smith and the whole Demo-
cratic ticket. There is point beyond
Which fcrbearance ceases to be a virtue
and the people of st. Paul are too fair
minded to tolerate any such political
funny business.
This infamous. plan which Chief Nc
lntire had felt at liberty to outline 10
many persons must be watched ahd
thwarted. 1t must be treated as the con,
Fpiracy to rob the Democracy through
the primaries was treated. Democrats
thould go on guard once more, and make
il plain to this unscrupulous ward heel
1r who has been dressed in a little brief
authority that he cannot carry out his
scheme.
Men must be on hand to provide all
such men with bail at once The sheriff
Of this county is still a Democrat, and
his authority remains, if necessary, to be
invoked. However the thing is done il
must be made plain to McIntire and Stud
feldt and the other pelnicious narplots
that the people of this town are fully
alive to their character and their
Schemes.
The Fifth Ward Bohemian Democratic
club held a rally at 5O7 West Seventh
street last evening. Speeches were made
by F. F. Shondo and William H Ulmer.
the candidate for ward alderman. and
others
There was much enthusiasm, and the
members Of the club pledged themselves
to work and vote for the Democratic
ticket until the polls close on May /. The
club IS oficered by Frank Firmon, presi-
dent; NJ, Krocak, vice president, and J.
Klucak, secretary. President Firmon act
ed as chairman of the meeting
The West st. Paul Times Rep3 SAYS:
The South Robert street bridge is in
horrible condition. The street car rails
stick up above the pavement in some
places as high as two inches Sometime
ought to be done with this thoroughfare
at once.
The West siders will have an alderman
shortly who will keep the streets in
proper shape even if it does inconvenience
the trolley monopoly
It begins to look as though the Puerto
Rican tariff was levied for the benefit
of Chester r. Smith judging from the
Republican thunder of last evening.
SoTr-e relief is felt in Republican circles
since one Claude G. Burns, of the Sixth.
told the party where it is at That ha
been a burning question for several daVs
past