The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1918-05-09
LIARS SQUELCHED|
Judge MCGEE Specifically Refutes the
Charges That He Slurred Peo-
pie of Any Nationality.
The C0wardly Blows Aimed at Judge
MCGEE Are Intended to Land
On Gov. Burnquist.


When man occupying public
position fearlessly tries to do his duty
he Immediately becomes target for
venomous critics to aim their poisoned
darts at. Especially at this time is
this true of officials who are jealous
patriots and are doing everything in
their power to assist the United States
government in the prosecution Of the
war to successful termination.
No man in Minnesota has rendered
the United States and the people of
this state better service since he be-
came member of the Public Safety
commission than Judge J. F. MCGEE
of Minneapolis, and no man in the
state has been more persistently mis-
represented and vilifed by traitors
and near traitors and the enemies of
Governor Burnquist.
The latest accusation against Judge
MCGEE was that in his testimony be-
fore the senate military committee in
Washington he had accused the Swedes
and Germans of Minnesota, as whole,
of disloyalty. - Knowing Judge MCGEE
as we do, without waiting to hear
from him, we had no hesitation in de-
Tending him against the ridiculous
charge.
Undoubtedly there are some dis
loyal Swedes and Germans, and there
are also some Irish and Americans
whose sympathies are not with the
United States and it's allies in the
present war. But these Drained
malcontents are few and far between,
save in isolated spots. The man who
would accuse the people of any
nationality in this state of disloyalty
is fit subject for a lunatic asylum,
and Judge MCGEE is not idiotic.
Judge MCGEE reached Minneapolis
last Saturday after protracted So
journ in the east in behalf of the
coal fuel users of Minnesota-right
here we wish to remark that had it
not been for him some of US would
have frozen to death last winter-and
he gave out lengthy interview which
appeared in the Sunday dailies.
Just as we expected, there was not
word Of truth in the absurd charges
made against Judge MCGEE. We quote
from his interview:
I returned from Washington today
and, of course, had some intimation
while there of campaign of misrepre-
sentation started against me here in
my absence. I ought no doubt to de-
fer making statement until l could
ascertain exactly what it is that is be-
iag criticised in statements it is al
legged I made in Washington, but I
thought it best to take up the matter
now.
There is pending before the senate
military committee bill known as the
Chamberlain spy bill, which dispenses
with jury trials in cases of sedition,
disloyalty and treason, and substitutes,
during the period of the war, a mill
tary court for such trials. was asked
by Senator Chamberlain to appear be-
fore his committee and give my views
on the subject. After considering the
matter, I notified Senator Chamberlain
that I thought it unwise to do so.
The senator suggested that / come
over to the committee room at 1890
and hear the testimony Of other wit
nesses, which invitation / accepted.
After Captain McCaulley, Colonel Van
Deaman and Mr.. Hayes testified,
which completed the morning session,
the committee was about to adjourn
when Senator Chamberlain addressed
me and said that he would like to have
me take the stand and answer some
questions that he had in mind.
I did so. Every syllable of testi-
mony given before that committee, at
any time, is taken by the official stem
ographer of the committee. From the
beginning of my testimony to the end,
the words "Sweden" or "Swede" or any
other similar word, or any reference
to Sweden or the Swedish people never
was mentioned or referred to directly
or indirectly in any way, shape or man
ner. This is matter about which
there can be no argument, because the
original stenographic notes of the
determine what was said by me and
the other witnesses at that hearing.
To assume, without investigation,
that I would indict the Swedish race of
sedition, or any considerable number of
people Of that race, is not warrantable
by anything that have ever said or
done in the course Of lifetime, 80
years Of which have been spent in
Minnesota.
I assume that it will be taken for
granted that I know as much
about the existing conditions in the
state, so far as sedition or disloyalty is
concerned, as any person in the state.
I have had to do with such matters
daily in an official capacity during the
entire year just past.
/ have no doubt whatever, and never
have had, that the masses of the Swe-
dish population of Minnesota are and
have been intensely loyal to the United
3 Gates and her institutions, and are
among our best citizens. These are
my settled convictions, and, of course,
y II L p