The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-02
Report of Grand Jury, Filed To-day,
Says Depths Of Corruption
Were Not Sounded.
Several Deserving of Indictment
Escaped-Brief Review of
the Jury's Work. -.
Succeeding Jury Is Advised to In
vestigate Charges Against Ger
tain Hospital Officials.

The April term grand jury came into
Judge Simpsons court room this morning,
submitted it's final report. and was dis
charged without date. The report is
document Of seven typewriter pages and
contains a brief resume Of the work &C
complished during the jury's session. 1t
states that although indictments were re-
turned against no fewer than thirty public
officials, others believed to be equally
guilty, have escaped, and it recommends
that the work of municipal house cleaning
be continued.
The jury which thus finishes it's labors
this morning has been the most sensation
al body Of the kind ever assembled in
Hennepin county. 1t has laid bare a
fostering mass of corruption in the city
hall and has indicted the chief executive
of the city and compelled him to seek
shelter in another state. 1t has disclosed
state Of rottenness in the police depart
ment that has made Minneapolis notorious
all over the country. The value Of it's
work to the community at large cannot
be estimated. 1t has been the means Of
effecting widespread reforms in the city
administration. and has brought municipal
order from chaos and made decency in
municipal government possible.
Composed of representative citizens,
unswayed by political bias, the grand
Jury which has now adjourned is deserv-
ing Of the thanks of every selfrespect-
ing man and woman in the city for the
fearless and treless manner In which it
has conducted it's Investigations; and for
the results achieved.
Judge Simpson praised the jury for its
excellent and thorough work.
The Report.
~To the Hon. David F. Simpson, one Of
the Judges Of said Court:
The grand jury drawn and summoned
Tor the April, 1902. term Of this court
herewith submits the following report:
BY the express terms of the sta tute
and the charge of the court, 1T became the
duty of this body, among other things, tC
inquire into the wilfu1 and corrupt miscon-
duct in office Of all public officials of every
description in Henne pinse ounty. With q
view of faithfully discharging this duty
and of correcting evils which were be
Iieved to exist. this grand jury determined
to make a systematic and thorough inves
police department of the city Of Minneap
oils. 1t was unanimously determined ir
advance that politics should play no par
in such investigation, and that it shoult
be vigorously pushed without regard tt
its effect upon the political future Of any
person or party.
THE inquiry thus determined upon was
promptly instituted and continued to the
end Of our session; and as a result thirty
indictments have been returned agains
public officials. For lack Of time in which
to carefully investigate their cases, anc
for reasons hereinafter stated, some Of
fcals, who, in the Judgment Of this body
have been thoroughly vicious and cor
rupt In office, have escaped indctmen
at our hands. In view Of the coming trial.
OF some of the parties against whom in
dictments have been returned, do no
deem it proper to disclose the evidence
before us, or the extent of the system
OF blackmail, extortion and bribery which
we found practiced by the police depart
ment Of the late administration. We know
that by such means an enormous revenue
was collected from certain sources. n,
possible estimate Of which can be made
Tor it has been impossible to determine
the amounts received from gamblers, for
tune tellers, proprietors Of indecent pic
ture machines and other swindling de
vices and schemes, all of which were rul
openly and operated under police pro
lection.
Discipline Destroyed.
1--WE found that the discipline and eff
cheney Of the police force had been com
pletely destroyed by the policy pursue
by the late mayor and his chief of police
Honest and efficient men, who had bee
on the force for a long time We're re
moved and were replaced by those lack
ing in ordinary intelligence and commo
honesty. We believe that Acting Mayo
Jones has taken a step in the right direc
ton in thoroughly overhauling and re- or
gambling the force; and his action in s
doing should meet with the commemorate
OF all good citizens"
The sum of $245.92 represents the tots
expense to the county for witness fee
during the entire session of this body. w
have been badly handicapped from lack
money available for purposes of investiga
ton. NO fund has been provided by la
for such purposes. The attendance of wit
nesses living out Of the state for this rea
son could not be secured; and for lack {
the evidence of such witnesses some ir
dlctments against public officials coul
not be found.
Newspapers Assisted.
The newspapers Of this city have bee
OF valuable assistance to us in arousin
the public to the Importance of the wor
on which we have been engaged. wher
"
have availed ourselves Of the advice an
counsel Of the several members of tn
court; and the advice and counsel give
mas invariably been followed. We fe
that this community is to be congrat t,
lated that It's laws are being administers
oy such capable, fearless and efficie1
bench.
THE work Of the sheriff's office h,
oeen most satisfactorily performed. TT
numerous duties required of the deputt
nave been cheerfuly and faithfully ex
cuted We desire to especially CONNER
the services rendered by Captain J.
Alexander of the sheriff's force. He h;
SHOWN himself to be an upright and cap
Ole public official The services render,
10 us by the county attorney and the Sc
eral members of his staff have been In 8
respects satisfactory. =
More Work to Do. ,. ..'
we suggest to our successors that tn,
investigate: ...........---. :. 49,
The charges of corruption ma,
against certain officers connected wi
the city hospital; the reason why ce
tain saloons are permitted to run on
permit only from the mayor; and furth
into the corruption of the late city a
ministration.
In conclusion we can only say; +