Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-28
THE INSANE ASYLUM.

The Investigating Committee Call Upon the
Governor--He Talks Ceurteoualy and
Don't Want Reporters Present--An Ex-
pert to Aid in Looking Over the Ac-
counts--Rev. Kerr's Deficit of Over
Twelve Thousand Dollars in 1878.
The Senate committee of investigation
had an interview with Governor Pillsbury
yesterday morning at the capitol. The OBJ
ject vas to consult him upon the best means
Of coming to a proper decision as to the
financial management of the asylum. Sec
rotary Smith submitted the books of the
Rev. Aaron 81. Kerr to his inspection and
to show the quitting it mildly careless way
the accounts were kept, he pointed out to
the Governor the fact that there
was in one years account
discrepancy between his books and his pub
lished balance sheet of $12.472.25. The ac-
counts alluded to were for 1878, ending Nov.
3Oth. The published account showed ST.
1852 spent from the building fund and
$31;25O.1O disbursed from current fund,
making total expenditure of $1O8, 1872.
But the books of the reverend treasurer show
only total expenditure of 96,25647. This
shows big discrepancy of $12,472.25 in IA
| vor of the reverend gentleman and against
the State. It was also pointed out to the
| Governor that in adding up the items form
| ing the $77, 478.62 disbursement of the build
| ing fund mistake of 5000 was made, leaving
balance on hand of $4. 923 Is in place of the
| balance of $5,123.15-$2O0 again against
| the State and in favor of the reverend treas
urer. AS the coversation was proceeding
the Governor noticed the presence of the
ubiquitous GLOBE man. He blushed and
whispered something in the ear of the chair
man of the committee, but either
| the Governor has been accustomed to
whisper to deaf people or the
reporters hearing was unusually sensitive,
for he plainly heard the sentence and folded
his book in readiness to depart before the
chairman politely told him that sit was
merely private consultation"
| 1t should be here stated that the Governor
was very reticent, and avoided expressing an
opinion upon the matters submitted to him
and simply told the committee that the mat
ter was in their hands to do Just what
seemed to them best. The chairman Their
told the Governor that the committee had
decided to have q full and complete balance
sheet of appropriations and expenditures
year by year, of the whole time of the inst
tution's existence, and, as the matter seemed
from the glaring errors known to exist in the
accounts to be a most important one, th.
committee thought it but Just to have some
good, reliable expert to be associated will
their secretary, Mr.. Smith, and the Gov
ernor was asked if he could suggest any one
The reply was that the committee was the
proper authority to appoint the expert fol
the purpose proposed.
Senator Doran then suggested that i
would be well to get the public examiner Oh
some one deputed by him.
The Governor replied that if the commit
tee so determined he would give Mr.. Kno:
the requisite instructions.
It is understood that the ultimate decision
was that Mr.. Hubert, of Rochester, shoul,
be obtained if possible, and, if necessary
Mr.. Knox should be called in.
The committee. then left tn
Governors room, Senator Drew only re
naming fora further conversation. 1t
rumored that his excellency was somewha
more communicative to Mr.. Drew than b
had been to the committee, and espresso
himself frankly as DESTROYS that the invest
cation should be thorough and complete.
After arranging for the experts to ente
: upon their work, the committee adjourne
subject to the call Of the chairman, who wi
e call them together when the balance sheet
p have been prepared.