Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-02-06
South Aberdeen Accusations
Vanish Into Rumors Up
on Investigation.
EXONERATE COMMITTEE
Letter of Woman Merely
Asked Question---Made
No Charges.

Charges that bribery had been re-
sorted to by S. g. McCracken to Sc
cure a saloon license for place in
South Aberdeen and the rumors thai
he had made statements to this ef
feet, were investigated by the city
council Thursday night, when it met
as committee of the whole to con-
slider the allegations.
The women who had signed their
names to an article criticising the
council for permitting saloon in
South Aberdeen, all declared that the
queries in the article were founded
on rumors around South Aberdeen,
that S. B. McCracken, proprietor of
the saloon had given each councilman
$50 to vote for a renewal of the Ii
cense Louis Roser and w. H. Tack
EFT stated that McCracken has so told
them.
McCracken himself declared that
in his conversation he had merely
stated to Mr.. Roser that others had
remarked that he (McCracken) had
paid this money to the council.
Harry Knowles and Claude Gould
we're the other witnesses and they
also stated that the story was only
rumor and that it had come to their
aarc tbrcuob otborc
Mayor Benn addressed the audience
and asked if any one present knew
of any evidence or anything that
would lead to evidence connecting
the council or any member of the city
administration in any way with the
slightest hint of graft or Wrong-doing
in office; that he come forward and
make his charge or forever hold his
peace.
You elect your officers" said the
mayor, they assume charge of their
duties and attempt to represent you
to the best of their ability. Then in
dividuals who are both vicious and
incompetent frequently those who
have been discharged from public
service, or who failed of election,
start rumors that are damaging to the
men who are doing their level best
for the city. 1t has been true of every
administration since Aberdeen was
founded and | presume will continue
to be the case. as this class of cili
Zens cannot be banished from any
community You will recall that at
the time of the grand jury session,
there were numerous charges of
wrong-doing in public office and per.
sonally / furnished list of the men
who were making these candestine
charges, to the grand jury itself. bat
not one of them had the COURAGE or
ability or knowledge to come for
ward before the grand jury and sub
stantiate single charge, norwitf-
standing that they were severally
suDpoenaed. The mayor paused.
That he was in dead earnest was in
dicated by the tone of every word
he uttered and a great silence follow.
ed his speech. Again he asked for
anyone to arise and produce a scintil-
la Of possible evidence of wrong-do-
Ing by the city council or public Of
ficials. The effect of the mayors ad-
dress was pronounced upon the
crowd
The council chamber was packed |
TO capacity and Geo. Wolff made |
motion which was enthusiastically |
seconded by James Hood. that in the |
opinion of the spectators who were |
present from all parts of the city. the |
evidence introduced clearly showed |
that the rumor was unfounded. This
motion the spectators passed without
dissenting voice.
CA0TAlAi