The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-14
CLOUD in THEIR SKY
Lovely Plan of County Board "Big
Three' MAY React.
THE GRAND JURY MAY INQUIRE
Signs of Violation of Corrupt Prac-
tees Act Too Plain to Be
Ignored. as ~.

There is no question that the "bfg
three in the county board flattered them
selves that they were putting UP very
cute game when they selected John Will.
liam Dreger to succeed Phil T. Megaar-
den, as sheriff of Hennepin county and
prescribed all the conditions, but 1t begins
to look as though the political effects
would be disastrous to everyone who had
any part in the transaction On all sides
it is condemned as bad politics and 1t is
freely asserted that e. P. Sweet has
effectually killed himself, as a candidate
for reelection as county commissioner.
He Is now known at the courthouse as
the acting sheriff." and is credited with
designating the majority Of the appointees
himself, leaving only three to Commits
sioner Andrew Smith and not very many
more to mike Nash But his downfall
is just as freely predicted, for under the
primary election system it is not SO easy
to carry out political games, even II the
plums are plentiful.
All those named as parties to the COM
bine on the sheriff's appointment virtu-
ously deny that there was any deal and
insist that Mr.. Dreger was elected sheriff
on his merits and that he named all ap-
pointees without interference. But it
will be difficult to convince the voters OF
this Besides, the corrupt practices
clause in the election law is very strin-
gent in its provisions and the opportunity
for the friends of Mr.. Megaarden to make
trouble are said to be excellent.
A Few Stravs.
They may have enough troubles of their
own and may not be DESTROYS Of assum
ing any more, at least until Megaarden Is
SAFE But the revelations regarding the
appointment Of Dreger as sheriff are
helping the cause of his predecessor won
derfully. Even if the details of con-
Io fhn n1rh1 Sc,
now being convinced that Megaarden's
prosecution has not sprung from disin-
terested motives altogether.
Proofs Of a conspiracy may be difficult
to get, but there are certain little Incl
dents which tend to cause suspicious.
One of these Is the incident Of Mr..
Dreger's being introduced to some Of the
deputies after they had been appointed.
That his election was decided upon
months ago is proved by the bond filed by
Mr. Dreger. To this bond is attached a
power Of attorney authorizing the local
representatives of the Fidelity Deposit
company Of Maryland to bond John Will
liam Dreger, as sheriff. This power of
attorney is signed by Edwin Warfield as
president and Harry Nicodemus as Sec
rotary, and is dated Jan. 2, 1902, or over
two months before the sheriff had been
removed, and even before the commission
appointed by the governor had made it's
report. It is asserted in some quarters
that the whole thing was arranged even
before !Megaarden had been publicly. ac-
cused. Be that as It may, the plot must
have been planned some time previous
to Jan. 2 Of the present year.
Grand Jury Meets Tuesday.
The grand jury will meet next Tues
day and will report to Judge Elliott, who
will then be in chambers. 1t is not un-
| likely that some one in possession of
certain information may volunteer to tell
| it to- the jury If the opportunity is Of
| fered az