The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-11
@coFFEE JOHN" MAYOR AMES'
RiGHT-HAND MAN FACES
JURY ON SERIOUS CHARGE
PATROLMAN LONG TELLS
HOW HE PAID FOR HIS JOB
His Story Plain Unvarnished Tale
of Traffic in Public office-Declares
That He Handed Over 5000 in Cash
to Secure Appointment on Police
Force,

The jury was secured yesterday in
the case of the state against Capt.
John Fitchette, of the Minneapolis po-
lice department, charged with receiv-
ing gratuity for securing the ap-
pointment of a man to a public office.
County Attorney Boardman opened
the case to the jury in a brief address,
saying that Capt. Fitchette received
5000 from ''Davy" Johnson for secur-
ing the appointment of John Long as
a member of the Minneapolis police
force.
The first witness sworn was City
Clerk Lydiard, who testified as to the
oath and bond of Mr.. Long that was
filed in his office at the time of Longs
appointment.
John Long, who has since the trial
of Chief Ames been removed from the
force, for having gone before the grand
jury and testified against Capt. Fitch
cite, was then sworn.
Gave johnson 5000.
He testified to having been removed
when Mayor Ames first took the may
or's chair, but was appointed in Au-
gust of the same year. He said Davy
Johnson sent for him, and he gave Mr..
Johnson 5000 to get him back on the
force.
Together with Johnson he went over
to Coffee Johns" 1t was on Aug. 81,
1901, between IL and II o'clock. John
son went into Coffee Johns" place
and he (Long) stayed on the outside.
In a few minutes Fitchette and
johnson came out together. Johnson
took a piece of paper out of his pocket
and asked Mr.. Long his name. He
also asked him the names of some of
his friends, which were given and he
also wrote them down.
Mr.. Johnson then told Long that he
would go right down to the mayors Of
flee at once, because he was plugging
for another man. Long said that same
afternoon he went back to Capt. Fitch
cites restaurant, and Mayor Ames,
Thomas r. Brown and Capt. Fitchette
were eating dinner together.
Received His Appointment.
AS Long entered the place the mayor
called him over to the table and hand
ed him his appointment as a member
of the police force. On cross exami-
nation Attorney Lane could not get
anything out of Mr.. Long other than
what he testified to on direct examina-
ton
David Johnson was the next witness
placed on the stand by the state. He
is an attorney in the city and swore to
having received 5000 from Mr.. Long
, for the purpose of securing him an APP
pointment on the police force. He tes-
titled that Mr.. Long called on him Aug.
q, 1901, and gave him the 5000, which
he turned over to Capt. John Fitchette,
In consideration for which Mr. Fitch
cite agreed to see that Long was APP
pointed on the force. He corroborated
the statements made by Long in every
particular, and his testimony was not
shaken in cross examination.
Ran Against Snau.
The real snag that was struck DUR
ing the afternoon was when Mr.. Board
man, for the state tried to place on the
stand Witness Thomas Croak, who had
tried to secure an appointment on the
police force, and was informed that in
order to get such an appointment it
would be necessary for him to put up
5000.
Attorney Lane offered an objection
to the witness, and said that the state
could not show a separate and distinct
crime to the one for which he was be-
ing tried. Attorney Boardman said
that he wished to show by the witness
that 1T was the plan of the administra-
ton to collect 5000 from every member
that was appointed to the force, and
that was the only way anybody could
get an appointment to the force.
Attorney Lane was prepared with
rulings from the higher court to show
that his contention was right and that
the evidence of Thomas Croak along
the lines laid down by the state was
not admissible.
Judge Sustains Objection.
Attorney Boardman was not prepar-
ed to argue the question from the line
of authorities, and Judge Simpson in
formed him that unless he could show
by authorities that such evidence was
admissible he would have to rule it
out. At this point County Attorney
Boardman said that he was not pre-
pared to give authorities, and asked for
an adjournment until this morning to
look up the matter. AS it was nearly
4:3O Judge Simpson adjourned court in
order that time be given the attorney
to prepare his authorities.
Names of Jurors.
Ed Mingo, Thomas Van Lear, T. ].
Ray, Llewellyn A. Abbott, George A.
Wax efield, Daniel O'Donnell, Edward
A Gerard David S. Quinn, Alexander
Orr, Sylvester B. Conrad, Charles E.
Ovenshire, James A. Pagan.