Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-30
II Review of the Insane .Asvlum.

To the Editor of the Globe.
ST. PAUL, Nov. 2S.-The committee re
port upon the contract of the insane asylum
has finally been published. It is none of
my business to criticize the details of this
document. Investigations of this character,
although they result as in my opinion this
one has, in satisfactory exoneraiion of the
general management of this public founda-
tionfrom all charges of any gravity, are wise,
and should be frequent and eGtensiue. They
remind official incumbents that their fidelity
will be exacted.
My object in adverting to this report is to
call attention to its illusions to Dr. Bartlett,
the superintendent. A slight acquaintance
with DIR. Bartlett at once satisfies me, as it
has every one who has had the pleasure of
even casual contact with him, that he is
Thoroughly equipped man, not merely expert
IN the speciaLism to which he is devoted, but
adds to this the uncommon qualification of
boing gentleman. The grade of ability
and requirements for such position as
DIR. Bartlett occupies is rare, and would any,
where command at least double the compen-
sation which he receives. That his apart
ments shall be fitted consistently with the
dignity of the State and the station s. not
merely proper but necessary. The public
buildings and public Offices of a State or
municipality are ct once the ssdicea saids
os it's character and reputation. There is no
fallacy more common or more unhappy and
degrading than the notion that official sala-
rIes should be low, merely compensatory for
actual work. The skilled man, whether he
be OF profession, trade, or other function,
should be paid not solely or mainly for the
actual work he does or can do, but for the
gifts, the preparation of power which he
brings to the business. Many a common
soldier of the German army did more osten-
sibie work of war than did Bismarck, who in
momsnt launched the resources of years
With the certainty of mathematics The
theorem was conceived and the figure drawn
IN the cabinet which was demonstrated on
the held. The error to which have alluded
is more common and more unfortunate in
new than 1t is in old communities.
Salaries and expenditures should be more
liberal III the former than the latter The
functions are more exacting and comprehen-
slve. What is also little less to be consid-
cred, the men are necessarily called earlier
IN life to important positions--they are prac-
tically Withdrawn from the competing activi-
ties, which in this country say to every man
OF merit, ANY road, even this siniple En-
Aoc-i, VIII you 10 tIiS CEl tlS
world" Our public institutions and our
public men are the legacy which we will
leave to those who come after US. Let us
take heed that they be of good example.
What have written IS noticeably applicable
to the judiciary. It is composed of lawyers
taken from the ranks, men in prime, whose
careers and expectations are really clustered
from the public pursuits and ambitions SO
exciting to the well endowed man. The
pubic cannot aford to have unfit men upon
the bench, and tit men can scarcely afford tn
accept the necessary retirement of the bench.
have written more than was intended, and
will omit what / had intended upon the
structures of the report upon Mr.. Kerr, which
think are scarcely warranted. The testi-
mony shows uncommon honesty and fidelity.
Acts covering SO long an official period, such
variety OF petty subjects of attention and
exposing discrepancies, so slight with COM
pensation and assistance, SO inadequate,
c@ver Dir. Kerr all over with credit. book
keeper (Which this office should have) might
be cheapiy got, but money cannot buy the
honesty which the revelations of this COM
| mission conspicuously establish. In the
meantime let Us hope that Investigations will
not cease, but go forward and embrace all of
our public foundations, and that the conduct
Of the committees will be characterized, as
| believe this one has been in the main, by O
disposition fairly to inquire of and tell us
| the truth.
Respectfully, ETC., J. B. Ba1sBN.