Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-21
Cutting Out the Pages from kerr's
Ledger Arouses the Suspicion
Of the Inquisitive.
AND NOW THEY WANT TO SEE
Whether the Pious Kerr is Such a
Model of Honesty as Belts
is OF Humanity.
OUR GREAT AND NOBLE CHARITY
Looks as Though it was Transformed
Into Den of Thieves With
Kerr, Strait, ct. al,
as Commanders.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

ST. PETER Aug. 20.--The honorable COM
mittee were up bctimes this morning and early
on their way to the institution. The full COM
mission were present-Senators Doran, Nor
ton, Drew Edgerton and Rice. On assembling
in the board room of the asylum the chairman
announced that he wanted a few minutes con-
sultation with the committee, when all not on
the commission withdrew. The comm ittee re-
NAMED fully half an hour in consultation
when the doors were opened and the press adj
mitted. Drs. Bartlett and James we've present,
as were also Mr.. Dryer and his clerk.
The chairman addressing DR.. Bartlett, said:
Doctor, you had better send for MI. Kerr.
DR.. Barteltt-Shall | send for him, or will
the committed?
Senator Morton-You had better send MI.
chairman, and meantime can look over the
vouchers for building and material and tabulate
those we wish him to explain
Before taking up the vouchers, Senator Nor
ton questioned the steward upon the matter of
interest paid the First National bank (St Peter.
He asked how much balance was generally to
the credit Of the asylum-if there were 5000
OF 1000 the bank should allow interest. Mr..
DRYER said there had seldom been q daily bal
ance at the bank.
Mr.. Edgerton asked what balance was now at
the bank. To which Mr.. Dryer replied, some
1880, but this had only been placed in the
bank day or Two ago. He could not explain
how the money was paid by the State treasurer
to the institution. Mr.. Kerr could explain
that.
The committee then proceeded with the ex-
animation of vouchers. Several bills were
found from Miller & Co., to Damren Snyder
(not to the asylum), and bills of Damren d
Snyder to the asylum, charg ing material which
Senator Morton thought required explanation.
One item in Damren & Co.'S bill was pointed
out by Senator Drew In which iron was charged
at 20 cents per pound.
Mr.. Dryer suggested it might be Russia
Mr.. Drew-It could not rush her up to that,
for l know too much about the price of iron.
1t is a small matter, but looks singular.
Senator Morton-Here is q bill OF kerrs, in
which he charges 60 cents qulre for legal cap
paper.
Senator Rice--I believe the reverned gentleman
had enough to buva respectable cigar out OF
that notwithstanding the eloquent Talbot to
the contrary.
Senator Nlorton--Here is lumber charged at
six cents foot. Lumber must have been at a
fearful price at that time ClS6S).
Senator DreW--But we have had vouchers for
lumber at $50 per thousand within the last
year or two; doubtless referring to the Lumber
used on the Stewards house.
half per cent, Senator Morton remarklng
that st. Peter bankers must make money fast.
All the vouchers that were signed were approved
by G. T. Brown.
The pay rolls were found to be without dates
and signatures.
In looking over the pay roll, Senator Rice re-
marked that there was a great difference IN the
price of cooks, from 800 to $50 per month.
Mr.. Dryer-There is great difference in the
services required of them.
Senator Morton-As much difference as in the
price of butter.
Mr.. Dryer-And quality.
Senator Edgerton called the attention of DIR
Bartlett to the fact that the vouchers were no
sufficiently itemized. He did not wish to re
fleet on the doctor for he, the Senator, did not
think the doctor had anything to do with it.
DR.. Bartlett-The steward has the items whel
he makes out the bills.
Senator Edgerton-The steward says not
For example here is a<voucher Expenses il
examination of hospital and purchases of ma
terial, $780,
PECULIAR BILLS.
Senator Morton thought vague statement
like these left a way open to all kinds of swim
dies. Mr.. Morton also called attention t
charges for expressing $55, 750at Use per 81 ,OOC
the Senator thinking that the exchanges
should be valuable to the bank rather thai
otherwise. The following bill of @. t. Brown
was read, Sept. 3, 1868: To expenses at hotel
st. Paul, $780, railroad fare to Chicago $21.5C
expenses in Chicago, $l2; railroad fare to St
Peter, 821.5O; Jfoe days time. $4,000. Total
$780," Another bill of Browns (1S67 a
treasurer of building fund, $3.50, and one fror
Kerr as treasurer of the same fund QS6S) fo
$500 were read. A bill from Brown for expen
ses at ST. Paul one day. $40, was also read.
was found that the accounts at the early day
of the institutions history were not SO we
kept as now. A pay roll simply read thus
Nov 10th, 1868. Salaries, $462.7O; treasurer
$175; blacksmith, $26.43: quarry, 1902. &c
stone cutting, $l22.75; well, $33.25; maso
work, $5l1.45. Total 81 434.3S.
The board adjourned at ~ o'clock.