The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-07
LET HIM BE HEARD.

The question of the retention by Build
! ing Inspector Haas of his position returns
to plague his party political associates
in the council. 1t was to those gentle
men 4 very convenient matter that Mr.
Haas found it desirable under all the cir
cumstances to resign. Now that they are
appraised by the legal adviser of the city
that they cannot act on his resignation
but must take joint action on his re-
moval they are confronted by an unex-
pected state of things.
1t is only about a year since the Re
publican majority in the common coun-
ell voted to re-elect Mr.. Haas to his pO-
sition. The suggestions and limitations
which We're embodied in that grand jury
report regarding his official conduct were
then common talk, as they have been
since. Whether they are true or false,
welI-fOunded or made out of whole cloth,
the Republican council chose then to ig-
more them and to retain Mr.. Haas in
office. Most, if not all, of the Republican
members of the present council helped to
constitute the majority of the body which
thus reelected Mr.. Haas, and did so in
the full light of the current statements
regarding his official conduct They are
now seemingly indignant at an alleged
state of affairs, of the truth of which
they have no more knowledge today than
they had when they reelected Mr. Haas
building inspector the report of the
grand jury to the contrary notwithstand-
ing.
Mr. Haas did wisely, the Globe be-
leves, in resigning He had previously
asked for an investigation which has
thus far been denied him. He has shown
his readiness to bow before the general
sentiment of the community Which de-
manded that he should not continue to
hold his Office in the face of his arraign-
ment as one who has been guilty of mall
feasance in office. Now since his resig-
nation is not to be acted on, and since
he has done all that could reasonably
be expected of him, and that he still in
sists that he will be able to vindicate his
character if an opportunity is offered to
him, the GIob is glad to be able to
insist on his being allowed the opror-
tunity which he seeks.
This matter is one which has immedi-
atcly 10 do with the Republican manage
ment of city affairs The present adj
ministration has no responsibility for
Mr. Haas. If it had we would never
| hear the end of the outcries Of our Re-
publican friends for the fullest investiga-
ton and in denunciation of those who
put him and kept him in office As it is,
the community would like to have the
fullest light thrown on the facts and
circums tances, and Mr.. Haas enabled TO
| protect his good name. if he can do it.
1t Will not do for his Republican as
sociates now to demand that this man
be thrown out like a dog. He cannot
and must not be removed without a
hearing of any charges that exist The
council can do what the grand jury did
Only II must dc it publicly and not as
an eX parte proceeding. 1t must allow
tits nan to be heard in person and by
counsel. The assembly did wisely and
we'll Yesterday in refusing to adopt Mr..
Ecnson's resolution for the removal with
! out charges Of the building Inspector;
| and it is altogether surprising to find
a gentleman of such exalted views of
official duty and responsibility as Aid.
Hunt voting for such a palrahly unjust
proposal
| The acceptance of the resignation of
the building inspector has, of course, no
! legal effect He cannot be removed with,
! out charges and hearing. The G. OBJ e
| is glad to unite in demanding for him
| the hearing which he is morally entitled
| to, and it protests against any line of
conduct which will condemn him I'M
heard, now that he has shown his will
ingness to respect the general sen iment
of the people.