The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-01

AS a result of the investigation of the
tax refundment transactions in the office
of County Auditor Johnson, OF Ramsey
county, following the somewhat CEN
serious report recently filed with GOV
Van SAINT by Public Examiner Pope,
Harry GriswOld, chief deputy in Auditor
Johnson's office, has resigned that posi-
ton by request, and his official commits
sion has been revoked. A statement to
that effect was made by Auditor John
son yesterday afternoon during the clos
ing proceedings of the investigation OF
the charges preferred against his Office
by the public examiner. That Mr.. john
sons action simply anticipated steps al
ready practically determined upon by the
state officials was shown in the follow
ing statement, which had already been
prepared by the governor, and was read
by him very few minutes later:
GOV. VAN SAINTS RULING.
iner did not show any wrongful act on
the part Of Mr.. Johnson, the county
auditor. 1t, however, disclosed the fact
that gross Irregularities existed in the
conduct of the business of the office,
and that in some respects the plain pro-
visions of the law had been ignored. In
view Of the situation as disclosed by
the report, deemed IT my duty in the in
terest of the public to hold this prelimin-
airy investigation for the purpose of de-
termining whether a commission should
there been anything in the report show
ing wrongful acts on the part Of Mr..
Johnson, I would Immediately have ap-
pointed g. commission with a view to de-
termining whether he should be permitted
to hold his office longer.
POPE IS SUSTAINED.
The examination before me bears out
fully the report of Gen, Pope and estab-
lishes beyond all doubt that the business
of the auditors office, so far as tax re-
funQmentS are concerned. has been con-
Quoted in violation of law. The evidence
shows that Mr.. Johnson did not partici-
pate in the violations, and further, that
ne had no knowledge that the law had
been thus violated However, it ap-
pears conclusively, that Harry Griswold,
who was employed in the auditors of
flee 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 the
canceling or filing of the certificates,
and it appears that refundments were
made, but the certificates called for were
missing Mr.. GriSwoid certainly knew
that he was violating the law and 1eop-
ardlzlng county funds. The fact is that
his conduct has been reprehensible and
am pleased to learn from Mr.. Johnson
that he has dismissed him from office.
AS TO Mr.. Johnson I desire to say that
during the investigation he has shown no
disposition to defend or excuse the con-
duct of Mr.. Griswold Had he approv,
ed OF the acts of Mr.. GrisWold I would
without hesitation feel it my duty to at
once appoint a commission looking to his
dismissal from office I appreciate the
1act that In conducting the office of the
county auditor much of the work must
be done through subordinates: the audi
tor however, should have general SUPER
vision Of all tnat is done This should
enlist his careful personal attention; he
should be exceedingly careful in the Sc
lection Of employees who are to serve the
public.
take this occasion to commend Gen.
rope Tor his energy and earnestness in
this proceeding, and for his pronntness
in calling my attention to these matters
SO That the interest of the public may be
preserved S. R. VanSant,
During the session Of Yesterday morn
Ing in the governors Office, it became
more than ever apparent that the ac-
tlons Of the chief deputy, rather than
those Of Mr.. Johnson himself, were un-
der scrutiny.
POPE DEMANDS AN ANSWER.
Gen. Pope stated that he would like to
hear from Mr.. johnson as to whether anv
of the points of his report to the COVER
nor were still in controversy. and as to
what were his intentions in regard to re-
tanning Mr. Griswold in the office. This
question remained unanswered when the
noon recess was taken, but. when pro-
ceedlngs were resumed at o'clock Mr..
Hollman, attorney for Mr.. johnson, stat
ed That he would like to have the coun-
ty auditor answer that portion of it re-
IaIing to Mr.. Grswold's possible reten-
tion in the auditors office. 1t was then
that Mr.. Johnson made his statement as
related above, but the governor had ey1-
dently been already inofficially inform
ed Of the fact, and the effect. of the
announcement at that time was merely
to make It a matter Of record in the pro-
ceedings Of this hearing. Mr.. Johnson
said in explanation Of the course ne had
taken:
Il have been and arn stin 10th to be-
heve that Mr.. Griswold has Intentional
ly been guilty Of any maIfeasance in
Office, but the testimony here shows that
his management of affairs in regard to
tax refundments has been such that l
would not feel justified in retaining him
longer in the position which he hasheld."
AT this juncture the pubic examiner
tntcrposed q question as to the other
point embraced in his original inquiry
He said:
Ny. idea is that when the substance
Of my report TO the governor was sub
mitted to the auditor and the county
commissioners, the auditor was inclined
to question the truth of some of the
statements and allegations which were
presented. I would like to inquire again
If any of my statements are stiu in con-
troversY."
IN response to that Mr., johnson re-
piled:
''l have a very decided opinion as to
the truth OF some OF the statements In
the report, but. as 1 understand it, my
opinion is not what is asked for here. "
In response to Mr.. Johnson. Gov Van
SAINT said:
at is not my purpose to ask your opin-
ION or that point, but later l may have
Occasion 10 ask you to do something
oThen the governor stated that he would
.ibe glad TO have the attorneys sum UP
lp,ths cese, as ne would Ike to have the