The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-25

against a
public official is that contained in the ra-
port of the present grand jury, submitted
to Judge Lewis yesterday, against Couu-
ty Auditor w. r. Johnson.
The report had been anticipated In a
measure, as it was expected that the
lengthy investigation into the alleged mis-
management of the affairs in the county
auditors. office would bear fruit: but
| nothing quite so severe was looked for
even by the avOwed political enemies of
the county auditor.
The charges, as originally made by
Public Examiner Pope to Gov Van SAINT,
| as to gross mismanagement, resulting in
| the loss of revenue, are sustained and
the jury recommends if, after a COM
plete investigation by the proper authori-
ties, they are found to be true that both
w. R. Johnson and Commissioner e. e.
! Lott be removed from office or impeach-
ed for malfeasance. misfeasance, or both.
E. B. LOTT INVOLVED.
2. B. Lofts connection with the case
! arises from his position as chairman of
the tax committee of the county commits
sion. 1t is the duty of this functionary
to certify to the legality of all tax re-
fundments before they are made.
The report contains a detailed history
of the notorious matters in connection
with the refunding certificates, and as
viii be seen, the jury pays its respects
to eX-Deputy County Auditor Bourne,
who is charged with having made false
entries as to delinquent taxes charged
against his wife's property, and regret
is expressed that he is exempt from Grim
inal action by the statute of limitations
The practice of paying 10 per cent in.
terest on tax certificate redemptiOns is
condemned by the jury, and the convic-
ton is expressed that the most effective
agency that can be employed to prevent
continued looseness in the administration
of city and county affairs is the con-
solidation of the dual form of govern
ment at present existing.
After the report had been submitted,
Judge Lewis excused the jury until this
morning, when further Investigations
may be made. During the day a lengthy
consultation was held between Judge
Lewis and County Attorney Kane
the former being engaged all afternoon
in careful review OF the report.
CAUSES MUCH EXCITEMENT.
The report caused profound sensa-
ton in court house circles, despite the
fact that it had been rather generally
anticipated. Those who make the big
building their lounging place, and whose
1ItSlllOl IldS D6eH directed TO the OuT-
come of the case since the start, found
little else to talk about all yesterday fol-
lowing the grand jurys action
Owing to the complicated aspect of this
case, and the thorough investigation pre-
viOusly conducted by Public Examiner
Pope, together with the brief hearings
held before Gov. Van SAINT all of which
resulted in the removal from office of
County Auditor Johnsons chief deputy
Harry Griswold, 1t had from the first ap-
pealed to those interested In good govern
ment as one of the most vital import
ance. The interest aroused by the grand
jury's report is, therefore, not to be won
dered at
1t will be remembered that when Gen.
Pope began his inv6 v6stigations OF the tax
refundment transactions, growing out Of
the so-called Lightner deal, certain fac
tions endeavored for party political pur-
poses, to minimize the seriousness Of the
entire affair. The basic principle of Gen.
Pope's investigation was that the county
auditor or his deputies had allowed the
issuance of warrants for the payment Of
attachments without the certificates, upon
which the law says the warrants must
be made out, being in the possession Of
the auditor. A long drawn out investi-
cation by the public examiner and his
deputies, eliminating in a public hear
witnesses before the governor, estab-
lished Gen. Pope's case with such con-
clusiveness as to make the immediate
removal of the chief deputy under Mr.
Johnson. necessary. The facts brought
out in this hearing before the governor
pointed to Mr. Griswold as the man di-
rectly responsible, under his chief, for
the issuance of the warrants without the
tax certificates. No condemnation was
made of Mr.. Johnson, personally, at that
time but he was severely criticised for
being redelict in the performance Of his
official duty to the extent of allowing
these Illegal practices IN his Office. The
testimony showed that at the time tho
Iightner deal was carried through Mr
Johnson was out of the city, but IN the
eyes Of the temporary court this did net
excuse him from what took place nor
exonerate him from the responsibility o.
similar proceedings which, 1t appeared
had been engaged in at various times
when he was not out Of the office.
WE'RE GOOD TO JOHNSON.
Assistant Attorney General somerby,
by whom the examination for the state
was conducted, and others engaged in Il
were charitable enough to withhold any
decisive censure from Mr.. Johnson, pre-
ferring TO exhaust the case before ar
irving at the ultimate conclusion that q
different course or attitude was neces-
sary. 1t appears that now, notwitn-
standing the scathing arraignment Of tho
grand jury, Mr.. Johnson IS still Tecsiv
ing this same degree OF charity from
those disinterested in the case other than
from the standpoint OF taxpayers who
desire to have fair and honest admin