The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-17
BITTER DEBATE IN
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Former Examiner johnson
Takes Decided Stand in
Examination

The quarrel which in the last cam
paign drew the Republican politicians
: into two working camps has found a
renewal in a split in the house, COM
mittee on public accounts and eXpen-
ditures.
5. I. Johnson, former public exam
iner. was before the committee yester-
day to meet certain criticisms of the
committee Of his charges against for
mer State Auditor Dunn and State Au-
ditor S. G. Iverson. Johnson was on
the firing line for four long hours. p.
Z. Bowling, chairman of the commit
tee, with an evident determination to
convict Johnson of misrepresenting
conditions in the auditors office, had
armed himself with typewriter con
illusions" alleged TO have been reached
by the committee from its sittings
with the accused former auditor and
his successor in office. Johnson was on
trial, and he had to fight for every
inch Of the way.
Things look somewhat different
now" chuckled B. H. Jefferson, one Of
the Oldest men on the committee, last
night at the conclusion Of the hearing.
Sam Johnson has dropped several
large chunks of lampblack in that
whitewash DISH" another member de-
cleared.
Revolt in Committee
MI. DONllilR was
the afternoon with what looked like
revolt in his committee. Mr.. Jefferson
objected to the chairman assuming to
act for the entire committee. NJ. S.
Carl took exceptions to the chairman
reading certain memoranda as to the
charges and countercharges, as con-
illusions of the committee. Mr.. Dow
ling defended himself by declaring that
the committee had determined upon
hof ho
Once he came to an almost open rup-
ture with Johnson. He insisted that
the former public examiner could not
dictate to the committee. Johnson re-
sponded that he would not be bullied.
Members of the committee recalled
that In a previous meeting Chairman
Bowling had called Mr.. Jefferson to
account for his sharp cross question
ing of Mr.. 1verson and had suggested
that Mr.. Iverson was the guest OF
the committee.
Possibly q half dozen different items
In the examiners report were consid-
cred by the committee yesterday.
Members Of the senate committee on
accounts and expenditures met with
the house committee, but took little
part in the discussion. When o'clock
came an adjournment to 2 o'clock this
afternoon was taken. A sharp contro-
versy arose over the subsequent pro-
cedure. Johnson demanded as his
right that the committee should take
UP the entire 900 cases and go through
them all in his presence. He said the
implication was that something was
wrong with his reports, and he de-
manded an opportunity to go into them
in connection with the auditors rec
ords. He insisted that no material
Item had been considered during the
afternoon session; that everything was
trivial and unimportant.
johnson Wants Counsel
He also asked the right to be assist
ed by counsel at the hearing. Burdette
Thayer suggested that the committee
pick twenty-five cases and that john
son select an equal number Of cases,
and that these be made the test to de-
termine whether or not the examiner
and his deputies had unjuStly criticised
the auditors office. Johnson contended
that he must have the permit record
included in the list, and it was decided
by the committee to let this go in as
one item. Further interesting devel-
opmentS are looked for before the in
Vestigation is complete.
The inquiry yesterday had not fairly
started when Johnson demanded to
know why he had not been invited to
previous sittings of the committee; he
luSlSleQ tlldl IL was d courtesy Que UlIu.
Chairman Bowling replied that the
committee had not thought 1t neces-
sary to call him; it had had two ex-
pert accountants and the same records
from which the examiners reports had
been made. 1.-THE committee will con-
duct this investigation" he said, land
will give you an opportunity to make
good your charges"
1T strikes me that the chairman Is
assuming to be the whole committee"
Mr.. Jefferson interrupted to say. THE
committee has not been consulted and
1 protest.
Il am following the instructions of
the committee" Mr.. Bowling respond
ed, land will follow it in spite Of the
obstreperous remarks of the gentle
man."
II propose to make a motion if feel
like it," protested Jefferson, but Mr..
Bowling proceeded to fire questions at
Johnson.
The c. ]. Johnson permit was con-
sidered, and Chairman Bowling read
his conclusions which failed to sustain