Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, October 14, 1908, Page 1

Vor, XVI.—No, 17. Grand Uapids 4 erald-Heview. Granp Rapips, Irasca County, MINN., Wepnespay, OcToBER 14, 1908. THAT WOOD DEAL AND IRON STEAL How Jim, the Peanut Politician, and Timid Tony Saved the Day. SOME FAGTS THAT ARE FACTS The Services of Commissioners O’Brien and Mullins as Compared With That Rendered by Jim Passard While in Office. In its desperation to defeat Commis- sioners Mullins, O’Brien and King for re-clection the Independent does not hesitate to resort to every falsehood that its mean mind can think of and put in type. The Independ- ent has but one object in view, and that object is to secure the elec- tion of commissioners that will vote to 1t publie printing. Time and time again the Independent has proved beyond peradventure that it would endorse for election to any office in the cuunty a convicted thief if it had assurance that the thief woul] in turn endorse the Independent. Its attitude toward A. L. Thwipg, late candidate for nomination to theoftice of judge of the district court, was one of the most infamous attacks on an honorable, able and upright citizen ever perpetrated by any paper. While it is true that the Lodependent did Mr. Thwing little, if any harm, the disposition of the publisher was made clear to the people of this county who know A. L. Thwing. He was libeled in a manner that should have placed the responsible parties behind prison bars. The same is true of its attack two years ago on Senator D. M. Gunn, when that paper betrayed its own county fora few pieces of silver. The Independent is making use of the same unprincipled tactics that has characterized its whole career. Commissioners Mullins and O’Brien have served the people of Grand Rapids about four years. They are both men who haye considerable property interests in this county. They pay considerable taxes. Their interests are indential with the in- terests of every property owner with- in the confines of the county. In common witb all others they want to see good roads built as fast as the public funds will permit; they want to see economy practiced in the transaction of the public business. Mr. Mullins is recognized as ove of the most progressive and successful farmers in the county. Mr. O’Brien operates quite extensively as a logger and owns considerable real estate in the county besides conductinga farm. ‘There are no two men in this county more interested in its welfare than are Morris O’Brien and Neil Mullins. Compare them, if you will, with the low-browed little runt that runs the Independent, and then decide in all fairness whether his misrepresenta- tionssbould weigh against their splen- did records as officials and as citizens. After nearly four years service to the county what misconduct are these gentlemen charged with by the Inde- pendent and the men who dictate its policies? They are charged with having paid four: dollars a cord for wood to be used at the court house. The allegation stands undisputed, and Mr. O’Brien ordered the wood as stated. Following are the absolute facts in the case of which the Inde- pendent makes so much bombast: Last spring a committee was appoint- ed to order a supply of green wood for use during the coming winter. Joho G. Frazer had about fifty cords of green hard wood that he contracted to deliver to the county. Soon the roads began to break up and Mr. Frazer advised Mr. O’Brien that he would be unable to deliver the wood. Bids bad been advertised for, but there were vo bidders except Mr. Frazer. The year before the commis- sioners had failed to put in a supply of wood and much difficulty was ex- perienced in getting any kind of wood at any price. Rotten wood, green wood, any kind of wood had to be accepted at any price that might be asked. The only man who had wood in any quantity to offer was John O’Brien. His was largely jack pine. He wanted four dollars per cord for it. Commissioner O’Brien could do no better at that time and placed the order. He was well aware that jack pine deos not make the best fuel, but it is better at the price paid than the commissioners had been able to do the year before, as far as the quality was concerned. Passard simply saw an opportunity to make one of his “honest” whines, and the Independent acted on the advice of Jiogo George and also whined. Every resident of this community knows the kind cf wood that is accepted at tbe papermil] at $2.00 percord. It is mostly rotten to the core, and could be used nowhere else. Timid Tony says he bought poplar wood for $2.35 per cord. We do not doubt, according to report, that he got it for a less figure. Some people even go so far as to declane that he gets wood and some other things for nothing. This, Mr. Taxpayer, is the great public crime of which Commissioner O’Brien is guilty after four years’ service to the public. How many farmers are there in this vicinity who would cut and haul green jack Pine wood for $2.00 or $2.35 or $2.75 per cord? Not many we dare say. “The poor farm deal”—that was indeed acorker—a corker on Jim Pas- sard. The Herald-Review takes the facts from the records of the county auditor's office. The matter of giving an option on the county poor farm for the purpose of drilling for iron first came before the bord on April 20, 1905, when B. C. Finnegan offered to take an option on the property for $35.000. The proposition was laid over. Later Mr. Finnegan appeared and asked that some action be taken. Commissioner Mullins moved that the matter be laid over until the next meeting, which motion prevailed. On June 18, 1905, all members of the board were present, when D. M. Gunn made a proposition to take an option on behalf of the Oliver Iron Mining company at $30,000. The option was to run for one year. On motion of Tone this offer was laid over. Again on September 26, 1905, Mr. Gunn ap- peared and increased the purchase price to $40.000. Commissivuner O’Brien moved that the offer be rejected. The motion was seconded and upon roll call the vote stood as follows: To reject, O'Brien, Mullins and Tone; nay, PASSARD and Lang. On Nov- ember 9, 1905, Mr. W. C. Gilbert of- fered to take an option on the farm for $65.000, The members of the board present at this meeting were Passard, Lang, Mullins and O’Brien. Mr. Mul- lins moved the adoption of a resolu- tion accepting the offer, and the four members present voted YES. This is the full official history of ‘the poor farm deal” from start to finish since the advent of Mullins and O’Brien on the county board. It was Jim Passard, the peanut politician, who wanted to vote away the county’s property for a less sum than was finally offered for an option, and not Messrs.Mullins and O’Brien, What do the voters think of the reliability of the Independent as an exponent of righteousness, and what do the voters think of the integri- ty and rehability of Jim Passard—the man who has been making acampaign on deliberate falsehoods? The Herald-Review has here pre- sented the absclute, incontrovertable facts as taken from Auditor Spang’s records. Every statement berein made can be sustained by af- fidavit. The absurdity of the charges made by the Independent against Messrs Muilins, O’Brien and King are so ap- parent that the Herald-Review is almost ashamed to make reply. Its contention as to the poor farm matter is absolutely false, and the “wood deal’’ is too contemptuous to merit notice. As heretofore stated there are no two men in the covoty more interested in the county’s material welfare than are Neil Mullins and Morris O’Brien. Take for example, his interests as represented by the amount of taxes paid by Mr. O’Brien. His real estate taxes for this year amounted to $279.40 and his personal taxes were $48.00. He owns about 1,300 acres of real estate in this county, owns five houses in Cohasset, where he resides with his wife and family of nine children. What has poor little Timid Tony to offer in comparison? Tony wants a watch dog to keep tab on the commissioners. But no {change in that respect is necessary, as there has always been a dog after these officials ever since Tony came to town. In conclusion, the Herald-Review urges every {citizen interestedj to satisfy himself asjto the relative merits of O’Brien, Mullins and King and[the men who are opposing, them for election. B. F. Wright, Republican candi- date for judge of the Fifteenth Judicial district was in town today. THE FIRST RAGE ON THE NEW TRACK Two Fast Horses Will Test Itasca County’s New Race Course. WILLAPPEAR SATURDAY AFTERNOON ‘Little Jim,”’ of Duluth and “Excep- tion” of Bovey Will Trot for a Purse of $250 and Gate Re- ceipts—Have Good Marks. The first real race to be pulled off ou the new track of the Itasca County Agricultural association, just com- pleted, will be seen next Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Little Jim, owned in Duluth, and said to have a mark of 2:15,and Exception, owned by Hannau of Bovey, will be the enter- tainers. They are both rated among the swiftest trotters in this part of the state, and both have backers that are willing to risk their money on their favorites. A private purse of $250 has been put up for the winner, to- gether with the gate receipts. The association will get 20 per cent of the gate receipts. It is expected that the horses wil] do better than 2:20. The track is said to be in good shape, con- sidering thatit has just been com- pleted. Men were sent out yesterday to put the finishing touches on if and to remove any pebbles that ma; be visible. At the late county fair the management might have had some good horses on the track if i had been known in time that the track would be ready for use. There should be a large attendance at the initial race next Saturday. is ACTION DELAYED UNTIL THE 24T Arguments For and Against Village Organization of New Town- site of Calumet. A special meeting of the board of county commissiuners was called for Tuesday of Jast week. There were present Commissioners O’Brien, Sundloff and Passard and Chairman Mullins. Commissioner King was un- able to attend the meeting owing to his duties as superintendent of the Deer River public schools. There were a number of representatives op both sides of the controversy present. Objection to the proposed organize- tion was interposed by the Oliver Iron Mining company on the ground that it inctuded within the incorporated limits territory owned by the com- pany that contained a large body of ore. Attorney C. C. McCarthy ap- peared for the Oliver company and Frank F. Price was attorney for the townsite peuple. The original petition presented to the board also contained territory that is now included in the townsite of Snowball. The owners of this property, including Martin Hughes of Hibbing, and George A. Fay, of Duluth, were prepared to register an empathic kick, but the petition was so amended as to cut out this disputed tract. Mr. McCarthy questioned the legality of the petition on several points, holding, among other things, that property whereon mineral had been proven could not be included in the organization of an incorporated village. Mr. Price presented strong argumenton behalf of the rights of his clients, but it was finally decided by the board to lay the matter over for further consider- ation at a meeting to be held on the 24th inst. It is claimed by repres- entatives of the mining company that no objection weuld be offered to the organization of a village at Calu- met provided it be confined to the eighty acres now owned by the pro- moters of the municipality. Cass Lake vs. Grand Rapids. The Cass Lake team will play the Grand Rapids boys on the local grounds next Sunday afternoon. The game will be called at 3:00 o'clock. The Cass Lake team is said to be ones of the best in this section and the game should be an interesting one. The Herald - Review gives general news and political and gives the facte. the news Two Dollars a Year. THE POLITICIANS ARE ORGANIZING Bryan and Johnson and Taft-Jacob- son Clubs Have Been Formed. ‘SOME SHOW OF ENTHUSIASM Republicans Gathered at Village Hall Last Wednesday Evening and Or- ganized — Democrats Follow Suit on Friday Evening. National and state politics in Itasca county have not stirred up the usual amount of enthusiasm this year, for some unaccountable reason. There is, however, much interest shown in local politics, especially are the can- didates for county commissioners re- ceiving considerable attention in districts Nos. One, Two and Four, where there are contending forces seeking endorsement. There are but two or three Bryan and Kern pictures displayed in town. Taft and Sunny Jim Sherman are quite numerously displayed, but they do not appear to be stellar attractions. Now that clubs of both political parties have framed up we may expect to see an Increased amount of patriotism in this business-busy town. Last Wednesday evening quite a number of Republicans gathered at Village ball and organized a Taft- Jacobson club. It was decided to hold weekly meetings until after election, wher loca] and outside speakers will expound Republican policies and principles. The next meeting wi!l be held at Village hall next Monday evening. The following officers were elected: President, T. R. Pravitz; “| secretary, James D. Doran; treasurer, _R. C. Finnegan; vice-presidents, Sena- tor D. M. Gunn, V. H. Blood, O. A. Seamans, E. J. Luther, E. A. Kremer: executive committee, C. C. McCarthy, I. D. Rassmussen, F. E. Reusswig and W. A. Rossman. On Friday evening the unterrified Democracy of the county met in the court room at the court house and organized a Bryan-Jobnsoo club, witb a membership of over one hundred as astarter. Since then a large number of names bave been added to the list. ‘There were present between 150 and 200 voters, who listened to an able address by John b. Shanner. Mr. Shanner surprised his audience both by his eloquence and the forceful manner in which he presented an ar- ray of frigid facts. A. B. Clair and Fred. A. King also spoke briefly and read extracts from published reports showing the political conditions as they appear to exist at the present time. The organization of the club was perfected by the election of A. B. Clair. president; Fred A. King, secretary, and Frank Grant, treasurer. HEARING CASES IN DISTRICT COURT Judge McClenahan Hears Testimony in the Case of E. R. Browne vs. the D. W. Doran Estate. Three days time was taken up in district court in the hearing of evi- dence and arguments in the case of E. k. Browne against the D. W. Doran estate. Browne brought suit for the recovery of about eight hun- dred dollars, claimed to be due him on a contract for the installation of a heating plant in the hotel Gladsone. The hotel was destroyed by fire on 7th of Febrary last. The tire started over the heating plant boiler and the Doran Bros., who were conducting the business and had just completed improvements tu the extent of over $7,000, claimed that the tre was caused by reason of the failure of Browne to complete his work accord- ing to contract and left it in a dan- gerous condition. Having been ad- vised by an insurance inspector that the premises were in danger of distruc- tion by fire because ofthe close proximity of the apparatus to the joist above, the Messrs. Doran caused two layers of brick to be placed over the smoke pipe. According to the evidence, Browne had agreed to place asbestos on the joist above the pipe. After the brick was placed, however, he felt that his responsibility in the pemises had ceased, and this plea was Set up by the plaintiff in court. It was also alleged by the plaintiff that a tent had been thrown over the pipe by order of James D. Doran, and it was this that ignited, not the flooring above, The defense presented much evidence to show that Contractor Browne had failed in many important details to fulfill his contract accord- ing to specifications, and it was be- cause of this that their property was destroyed. Insumming up the case Judge McClenahan held that the act of laying the brick by order of the Doran Bros. relieved Browne of the responsibility of the danger referred to and ordered judgment for the plaintiff. The matter of taking a persona! judgment against the defen- dants or the granting ofa lien against the property will be submitted to the court on briefs within thirty days. Frank F. Price represented Browne and C. C. McCarthy appeared for the Dorans. MINE INSPECTOR IS ASKED FOR Petition Circulated and Signed by Three Hundred Taxpayers and Presented to Commissioners. The desirability of appointing an official mine inspector for Itasca county has been urged be a large number of citizens of theiron towns on the Werstern Mesaba range in Itasca county for some time past. A number of accidents, some of which were fatal, have been charged to a lack of proper safety to workmen on the part of those directly in change of working mines. Itis argued that these ac- cidents could be evaded to a very great extent if a competent man were appvinted as mine inspector. There is a state law that permits the county commissioners to create such an office and fillit by appointment. All the mining counties of upper Michigan have mine inspectors, and Capt. Webb, formerly of Nashwauk holds a similar position in St. Louis county. Capt. P. L. Ramquist of Coleraine, circulated a petition requesting the county board to create such an office, and Capt. Ramquist is suggested asacompetent man to perfurm the duties thereof. The petition is signed by three hundred citizexs and was banded in for action last Thursday, but no business was transacted at that meeting except cosideration of the Calumet townsite matter and the closing of a deal for putting ina heating plant at the poor farm. It is not unlikely that when the matter is fully considered the board will act favorably upon the petition. Capt. Ramquist is in every way qualified to fill the office. He bas had many years practical experience 1n the iron mines of upper Michigan as well as on the Mesaba range. His appointment would give general satisfaction. BACK FROM THEIR WEDDING TRIP Charles P. Doran and wife returned Wednesday last from the western states, through which they had been traveling for several weeks. They left immediately after their marriage and the trip was a most delightful wedding tour. They made brief so- journs in many of the largest and most interesting cities and villages in Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Charley had in view the selection of a place in which to engage in business, but did not make a selection for a future home. Great Falls, Mont., impressed him very favorably, and he pronounces it to be the most desirable big town, in which to live, that he found on the eutire trip, He has not fully decided yet, but may remain in Grand Rapids unti) next spring. Mayor Riddell Starts Out. George Riddell, mayor of Grand Rapids and Democratic candidate for sheriff of Itasca county, started out yesterday with a gvodly supply of cards and a pleasant smile to make a canvass of the county for the purpose of increasing his popularity among the voters. The battle for ballots between Mr. Riddell and J. J. Riley of Nashwauk, the Republican nom- inee for sheriff, will be a bloodless one from start to finish. They are both recognized as goed citizens and are especially popular where they are best knuwn. Mr. Riley has served two or three terms as the presiding officer of his village and Mr. Riddell is now serving hss fourth term in that capacity. The Herald-Review hasthe newest lfaces in job type. Phone 159. GRAND RAPIDS Vo. DULUTH CENTRALS The Herald-Review Sporting Editor Expresses Contempt for Zenith City LOCAL TEAM LOQSES 5 10 0 Claim is Made That Duluth Centrals Were Favored by the Football Officials and Hereafter will be Shunned by the Rapids. Outweighed, badly beaten, but aot disgraced. This sums up the position of the Grand Rapids High School football team in its game of last Saturday with the Duluth Central High. The local boys went to Duluth last Saturday and the High Schoo! team of that place, ably assisted by the officials, handed them a beating to the tune of 55 to 0. Our boys do not claim that they could, under any circumstances, beat Duluth, nor do they like to offer the time-worn excuse of unfair officials, but they do feel that the officials were very much over zealous in protecting the Duluth goal line. Duluth’s lack of true sportsmen, in athletics, is well known and is com- mented on by nearly every team that meets a Duluth team in an athletic contest, but it is not to be wondered at when one reads the stuff that is dished up by the sporting editors of the Duluth papers. Grand Rapids has hada few samples of the sportsmanship of the alleged sporting editor of the News Tribune and our athletes have very little respect for him asa sportsman and no one here is surprised at the unfair write up of the Duluth-Grand Rapids game appearing ia the Sunday News Tribune. The game was too one-sided to be interesting, but much can be said in defence of the lucal boys. They were outweighed by at least tifteen pounds to the man and went into the game with severai of the boys in very poor physical condition and two of the regulars had to be taken out early in the game. hut in spite of those handicaps the boys put up a very creditable game and showed that they are not quitters. All the boys played hard and well, the tackeling done by Fraser and Billie Powers was of the sensational order and brcught rounds of applause from the spectators, who are better sportsman than are the representitives of the Duluth papers. Itis to be hoped that the Grand Rapids High School has piayed its last football game with the Duluth Central High. There is nothing to be gained by such games for our play- ers will always be much lighter than theirs and must enter into such games, if at all, with no bopes of victory ard Duluth has never learned to appreciate a courageous though weak opponent. HEATING PLANT FOR COUNTY POOR Board of County Commissioners Lets Contract to H. E. Adams, Minneapolis. The board of county commissioners have had under consideration for some time the advisability of putting a heating plant in the county hospital at the poor farm. The matter of economy was looked into carefully, and it was found that the saving of fue] would in time pay for the plant. Added to this the fact that a hot water plant would give much better satisfaction by vastly increasing the comfort of the premises, and also in- sure greater safety against fire, the putting in of a hot water heating plant was finally decided upon. Several bids were submitted, the lowest of which was that of H. HE. Adams Heating company of Minneapolis, the consideration being $1,085. The plant is to be installed at once. The con- tractor agreed to allow the county until January 15 to test the working of the plant before fina! payment will be made, Fifty per cent of the con- tract price will be held back until that time.