The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-29
OTHER PEOPLES NOTIONS
Andrew c. Haugen.
e Editor OfN,rhe Journal,

TO the Editor Of The Journal. i
Let me say word for one who was for
many years my friend, whose labors are
over. and the later years Of his life
brought burdens heavy to bear. 1t is easy
for most of us to be just to the dead
but the many who knew Andrew c.
Haugen best in his lite time, will pay to
his memory more than passing thought.
They knew his virtues and felt his per-
sonal worth. in spite Of all the surglng
sea of circumstances that threatened to
engulf him, and made his voyage so heavy
and painful toward its close.
Every day and age has its silent heroes
who appear to occupy the field Of defeat,
but who are, after all, the real victors
This man held to his course where many
would have gone down: and he has
reached the port still honored, loved and
cherished by those best qualified to read
his motives and weigh his deeds. A mans
enemies hasten to judge and condemn him
while he lives. but it is righteously re-
served for his friends to speak when he is
dead
Andrew c. Haugen was in fact an hon
est. open hearted and large-hearted man.
Until misfortune came upon him, such as
may come to ALL he was man Of strength
and influence in this city, publicly recoe-
nized as a worthy leader and representa-
tive of the communities best interests.
He was proverbially public spirited and
enterprising.
native of Norway, he came here when
a mere boy and went gladly and willingly
to work at any honest labor that his hands
could find to do. Every step in his career,
until he became city treasurer, was for
ward and upward, proving year by year
the honesty Of his purpose and the sound
ness of his life. Men do not ''sather
grapes Of thorres figs Of thistles"
"By their fruits We shall know them. y
BY his real inner life stripped Of all the
husk Of mere circumstance-the mere
vestments which may seem to hide his
real character, be will at last he truly
known. He will be known by what he
was; not by what for time he may have
seemed to be.
AS counsel and friend throughout his
difficulties Of a year and a half in court,
may be presumed prejudiced, but I am
firm to-day rs ever in my faith in his
personal integrity.
That he may have been somewhat
wanting In those rigid and exactirg bust
ness qualities 80 Indispensable to the
safety Of public funds in times of general
financial ruin and disaster, is no doubt
true. This an infirmity rather than
a crime. His official mistakes and errors
in Judgment, the city invited, by a system
long established, unwholesome and vici-
ous which authorized it's treasurer to use
and account for the funds as his own.
Because the city could not legally confer
such authority, his acts constituted in
law but not in morals a breach IT public
trust and rendered him criminally liable.
While the city had not the legal right to
do as it did, it assumed to, and in fact did
for many years, permit It's funds to be
handled and used by it's treasurer his |
Judgment dictated, and give him the in |
terest on the funds In lieu OF a salary. Had |
this system not been in vogue during the |
disastrous and ruinous years from 1893 to
1897. Mr.. Haugen would never have suf-
fered in his standing and reputation, nor
lost all his private fortune as he die. The |
jury which finally found against him ap |
preciated this, and while they found a
technical breach Of the law, they also
found the act to have been committed |
under such exceptional circumstances as !
to warrant the utmost clemency. and the
Judge who fixed the penalty felt this as |
deeply as the jury and pronounced a
sentence which though mild, was as just |
as it merciful and as righteous as it !
was fearless.
Our friend has passed beyond the need
of human friend or advocate. He is be- |
yond the reach Of earthly storm and tenn |
pest He held character and reputation |
dearer than life He was wounded in
battle but fought bravely to the last. |
broken somewhat in spirit and hope but
not embittered or rebelious at fate. He |
cherished the hope and ambition to repay |
Bill VINO nad suffered Win MN IN MS mis- |
fortune. but this proved impossible. He
died poor financially and deeply regretting |
the misfortune of others who had lost by |
his Mistakes Many who look upon him
to-day in his enviable rest will hold him in |
loyal and loving remembrance and wish |
his last days might have been as free from |
these regrets. as his real character is free |
from stain. He was generous to fault. |
and if all whom he has befriended could |
speak to-day, their testimony would be a !
splendid monument to the virtues of his |
life. Homeless and motherless children |
found shelter beneath his roof, from the !
cruel orphanage of the world and shared
the bounty Of his kindly heart. A friend |
of the friendless, shelter to the shelter |
less, and father to the fatherless; these |
are the flowers that will bloom in coming |
years above the dust and ashes Of all his |
errors, his mistakes and his shortcomings. |
Frank M. Nye.