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


ing Inspector Haas of his position returns
to plague his party political associates
in the council. 1t was to those gentle
men a 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-
peeted state of things.
1t is only about a year since the Re
publican majority in the common coun-
Gil voted to re-elect Mr.. Haas to his po-
sition. The suggestions and intimations
which were 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,
well-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
WY
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 Clio be be-
lieves, 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 G b e is glad to be able to
insist on his being allowed the opror-
tunity which he seeks.
This matter is one which has immedi-
ately TO 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
circumstances, and Mr. Haas enabled to
protect his good name if he can do 1t.
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 it must dc it publicly and not as
an eX parte proceeding. 1t must allow
tits man TO be heard in person and by
counsel The assembly did wisely and
well 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
| gentleman of such exalted views of
! official duty and responsibility as AID.
Hunt voting for such a palrahIy 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 a hearing. The G b 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.