The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-02
THE GOVERNORS FRIEND, JOHN

THE GOVERNORS FRIEND, JOHN
Gov. Van SAINTS judgment on his
self-imposed investigation into the
conduct of the Office of Auditor
johnson IS remarkable mostly for
what it ignores and for what it fails to
decide, It may operate as a coat of
whitewash for Johnson; but the white
wash is so hopeIessly diluted that it's
effect cannot be especially enduring.
The governor in that remarkable docu-
ment uses the following language:
The examination before me bears out
fully the report of Gen. Pope and es-
tabLshes beyond doubt that the business
in the auditors office, SO far as tax re-
fundments are concerned, has been con-
Quoted in violation of law. 1t ap-
pears concluStvely that Harry GrlSWold,
who was employed in the auditors Of
fee by Mr. Johnson, has been guilty of
the violations referred to. The evidence
satisfies me that public moneys were ad-
vanced through Griswold to parties who
were not at the time entitled to receive
the same. He also caused public moneys
to be refunded to parties without can
ceiling or fling Of the certificates, and it
appears that refundments were made,
but the certificates called for, are miss
ing.
Now. all these things having happened
in the office of the county auditor under
Mr.Johnson's administration, what is Gov
Van SAINTS judgment in the premises in
relation to Johnson? Why, nothing more
than that Johnson is a very good fellow
who had a very wicked deputy. and tnat
that he is, has discharged his wicked
deputy; ergo, quoth> this executive Dog
berry: 4 viii not appoint a commission
to inquire into this good mans fitness for
his Office" o, lame and impotent conclu-
sion, conceived in political fellowship and
born of the necessity to help out a. po-
lticaI compatriotl
The governor also says in his report:
AS to Mr. Johnson desire to say that
during the investigation he has shown
no disposition to defend or excuse the
conduct of Mr.. Griswold. Had he APP
proved the acts of Griswold 1 would
without hesitation feel it my duty to at
once appoint commission looking to his
dismissal from his office.
And when did Johnson decide to let
GriswoId go? Griswold, we are inform
ed, got his congo the day that the gov
ernor filed his startling decision. John
son first ridicules the investigation and
all who urged it; then he submits to it,
and as a last recourse, after having sworn
to stand by his deputy to the last ditch,
he dismisses Mr.. Griswold-presumabl
after he has learned what the governors
decision IS going to be.
So it required several weeks of investi-
cation on the part of the public examiner
to ascertain, as far as Johnson Is con-
cerned, that his deputy was guilty of
wrong doing. It required a public hear
ing, which lasted several days, for John
son to learn that his deputy was not at
tending to the duties imposed on him by
law
If Johnson was not to blame, either
wholly or partially, for the violations Of
law set forth by the governor, as a result
of which the public treasury might have
been depleted then why did not John
son himself take the initiative in the eX-
animation of his Office, and not wait till
state official made a searching and ex-
haust;ve arralgnment of him and his off,
cial methods?
If Auditor Johnson had been honest
in the transaction, as the governor says
he was, he would have ordered an in
vestigation by the grand jury, at least
against the parties who practically stole
money from the county treasury, under
the false applications filed in his office
In order to show his honesty, he has yet
a chance 10 appear before the grand jury
and insist on their indictment, and also
that of his discharged deputy.
IF the governor expected the people
of this county to take his report seriously
he should have recommended that the at
torney general appear before the grand
jury and submit the case against the
parties ineriminated, who should be in
dicted for obtaining money from the
county treasury under false pretenses
and procure an indictment against off,
Gals who according to the governor,
falsely audited claims for tax warrants
The state treasury is interested as much
as the county treasury of Ramsey county.
There is only difference in degree.