The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-12
CANNOT BE EvADED

In a mood of rather presumptuous
bravado, Mr.. Michael has asserted that
ne, as corporation counsel, will assume
entire responsibility for the settlement
with the street railway company. and
has SO notified each member of the
common council who has sought him
for information or advice. Mr.. Michael
has undertaken big contract, but this
is his affair. Since he has chosen to
sacrifice fair prospect and a high
place In the peoples confidence in an
utterly inexplicable way, his fortune
may be left to take care OF itself. 1t is
no longer interesting.
The members Of the council, how
ever. who are assuming that they can
now be guided by Mr.. Michaers advice
and thus relieve themselves of personal
responsibility, are making the error OF
their lives. The people will not have it
SO. They are excusable and excused
for voting in accord with Mr.. Michaers
opinion ten days ago. when they were
taken by surprise and could have no
honest knowledge of the facts. That
does not excuse them now.
The people OF st. Paul have not
turned over the street railway ques-
ton to the corporation counsel for set
tlement They did instruct him and
the council not to accept the PROPOSE
ton offered a few months ago. 1t has
been clearly shown that the proposition
accepted is no improvement upon the
one rejected. Therefore. If there be
any instruction existing upon this
question to the city attorney and the
council, it is to stand fast against the
Illegal agreement which it is now
sought to perpetuate. Because the
corporation counsel has seen fit to
change sides and to stand today for
what he utterly repudiated a few weeks
ago, no alderman or assemblyman
would be excused from the perform
ance OF his duty.
This Is not matter requiring any
deep or profound knowledge OF the law.
The so-called compromise is an abject
surrender. 1t is the demand originally
made by the street railway company,
with some merelys superficial altera-
tons to hide 4ts deformities. Every
member of the council is able to see
this for himself. If he wants to test
public opinion, let him go out among
his constituents; not the few who are
in the secret and have helped to play
the game, but the general mass of vot-
ers, and see what they think of this
performance. Some are merely de-
spairing. some are indignant, and only
an inconspicuous minority, that be-
lieves its private interests to be bene-
flied in some way, has a word of apol-
ogy to make.
In the proceedings next to be taken,
members of the assembly and the board
OF aldermen will stand upon their own
record. The publicity precluded by the
secret call for a council meeting and
the jamming through OF a matter of
the first Importance is now secured.
Discussion OF the question has been
had. in spite Of the enormous infiu-
ences at work to shut it of. The mer-
its OF the case have been established.
1t is the interest of the people over
and against the interest of the street
railway company. Which shall pre-
vail? Every man must take his stand
in accordance with his own ideas of
right and honor. knowing that his act
will not be overlooked or forgotten,
and that at no future time will the
people accept any such paltry excuse
as this Mr.. Michael tempted me and
I did eat" Il