The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-18
JOHNSON Is PERIURDE)
GEN. POPE'S sCATHING ARRAIGN-
aIENT MAKES COUNTY Az
DITOT2 NERVOUS
ASKS GOVERNOR FOR HEARING
Indications Are That Number of
Witnesses VIII BE Summoned
and Investigation
Continued

Public Examiner Pope's scathing ar
raignment of County Auditor Johnson,
Of Ramsey county, which was PUB
lished in full in yesterdays Glo b e,
/ caused the county auditor considerable
anxiety, the first notable expression Of
which came yesterday in the form of a
letter addressed to Gov Van SAINT, with
whom Gen. Pope's report was filed. Mr.
Johnson is on the defensive and is no
| doubt preparing with all possible dill
gence to protect himself against any
action which the governor may conten-
plate. In his letter to tie goversef,
( County Auditor Johnson says:
seestby the papers that Public FIX
aLniner Pope has fled a report with you,
wherein my Office and my official acts
are severely criticised. I have not re-
( ceived from any source, a copy OF this
report but assuming that the one puD-
liShed is correct / have been car efully
gong over the same and trust that ! will
De permitted to answer the charges con-
tanned therein, and 1 beg to assure your
eXcelency that I court the fullest in
Nestigation on all these matters | feel
that l can truly say that at no time
1 nave l done or permitted anything to
pc done in my Office that I did not be-
neXe was right and proper If ull-
! Willingly any irregularities haze
crept in [ beg to assure You that no
one desires more than rnvseIf 10 nave
them corrected"
GoE, van SAINT mas both letters tied
put iaas not yet determined upon what
course he viii adopt. Asked If he would
SEND experts down to go over the books
IN the Office of the county auditor to
approve Gen. Ropes work he said he
was unable to say, but that it might he
decided expedient TO have a referee an
pointed
There is serious talk, however, among
many influential parties of the governor
expeliing Johnson from office. The gov
ernor refuses to be interviewed as to
! TINS extremity The belief that Gen.
Pope's report is convincing is shared
by a good many 1t is possible, how
ever, that politics viii be allowed to en-
ter into the consideration of the case
IN favor of the county auditor.
Gen. Pope stated yesterday that he had
nothing further to give out upon this
subject, but there are indications that
/ ne IS by no means through with the IN.
Nestlgat1on. Yesterday morning, bright
ana early, he was a caller at the rooms
OF the grand jury, and while his visit
| had suspicious look. the members Of
that body denied that his presence was
anything beyond a personal visit His
coming here, said one Of the members
was to see County Attorney Kane, the
business being Of private nature
SHERIFF Is SENT FOR.
Later in the. afternoon Sheriff Jugtus
was summoned to Mr. Pope's Office at
the state capitol, but that Official not
being in, his deputy, Harry Hard ok.
answered the cali instead Both Mr.
Pope and Deputy Sheriff Hardick refused
TO talk regarding the nature Of the ma
/ tCfe of the summons. but it has since
leaked out that Gen. Pope furnished the
sheriff with the names OF a number of
w 1lo ricl,o
before him. He desires to hear from
their own lips statements regarding GER
tain tax certificate transactions in which
they were involved, al having reference
10 the affair that is now bringing the
county auditor much publicity.
The slibpoenas that Will be served are
several in number and those for Whom
they are intended viii be in possession
OF them tomorrow. Under the state law
the public examiner in Investigating the
public offices under his Jurisdiction is
authorized to bring witnesses beore him
through the medium of the sheriff. and
can compel the information desired If
such is in possession of the party sum-
moned.
How the county commissioners stand
on the charges now being prepared
against their clerk is only known to
themselves, as they are reticent regard
ing the matter. Mayor Smith says no ac-
ton will be taken until something def
mite is received from Gov Van SAINT.
As Republican, who does not take
very kindly to the notoriety being given
the auditors office, remarked yesterday:
Gen. Pope seems to have shot his bolt
and said nothing" yet there is a feeling
around the court house that further
charges of a decidedly sensational ma
ture are to follow.