The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-07

Sheriff Phil Megaarden, of Hennepin.]
county, walked the plank this afternoon.
The last act in the legal drama which has
divorced the tWo-term sheriff from what
was the fattest Office in this county and
has reduced the same from the remunera-
tive fee system to a salary basis, was en-
acted this afternoon when Megaarden was
formally removed by Governor Van SAINT.
1t is understood that Megaarden will not
contest the right of the governor to GUST
him, and that in consideration for his &C
quiescence\ the criminal case against him;
set for the April term will be dropped.'
Megaarden's successor will be appointed
by the county commissioners at special
meeting, Monday. It is practically set
tied that J. w. Dreger, prominently men
toned for the place ever since Megaar-
den's removal was confidently counted
upon will be the man chosen. 1t is GER
! tain that three of the county commission
| ers will vote for him. Commissioners
| Nash. Smith and Sweet are known to
| have pledged him their support and there
| is reason to believe that Commissioner
Barney will vote the same way. Com
missioner Ryberg the fifth member is I'M
certain. But his position will cut no
figure.
| Williams Will Retire.
| Coroner Williams has no desire to re-
main in Office for the remainder of Me-
gardens term. No opposition is expect
| erd from him to the appointee's immediate
| induction into office. IL
! The office will he n1app IN salary Of
$4,000 April 1, and if Mr.. Dreger is ap-
pointed sheriff Immediately he probably
/! will not take hold until that time.~ -t-~--t
| Other candidates were Robert Pratt,
| Henry Hanke, Charles Howard, James
German, DR.. o. P. Sutherland, T.. r.
Brown, Jr.. and A. w. Harwood. =,
The Governors Order.
Governor Van SAINTS action was taken
| after a thorough review of the testimony.
Strong political pressure was brought to
bear to save Megaarden, but the governor
declined to be Influenced by anything but
the facts. ~. ......
The order was made out and signed last
night and is dated March g. This morn
ing a telephone message was sent to the
Office of Coroner Williams who sent a
deputy to the governors office. He left
at noon with two copies of the order, one
to serve on Megaarden and the other for
covers eighteen pages, and opens as fol-
lows: .. -..--
Charges Of mafeasance in Office having
been duly filed against Phillip T. Megaarden
as sheriff of Henenpin county, Minnesota,
and pursuant thereto, commission to take
testimony having been duly appointed under
the laws Of the state, and said commission
having heard the testimony offered and hav-
ing duly made its report and duly filed all
the testimony received, and Hon. F. H.
Boardman, and Hon. c. L. Smith, county at
torney and assistant county attorney re-
spectively, of said Hennepin county, having
been heard in support Of said charges, and
Hon. John H.: Steele and A. Y. Merrill, ESQ.,,
having been heard in behalf of said Phillip
Y. Megaarden, and said matter having been
fully and finally submitted to the under
signed, now, therefore, from said testimony
offered and received and the records sub
mitted by the respective parties, l find the
following facts: p.
The order then reviewed in detail the
over charges specified in the testimony
and each one is declared excessive, unlaw-
full and fraudulent, and unlawfully exacted
from Hennepin~ county by the said Philip
T. Megaarden The majority relate to
the commitment of children to the insti-