Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-05
Routine Report.

MS constituents asking Tor an amendment on
the tax law relative to redemption of lands
from sale in certain cases.
BY Senator Simmons-From citizens of
Stearns county asking the abolition of the
brass tester.
By Senator Powers-From citizens of Fill
more county asking for the abolition of the
brass tester.
BY Senator Brown-From citizens of Polk
county asking an appropriation of $1,000 for a
bridge across the Chippewa river.
BY Senator Morrison-From citizens of Ohm
sted county asking for the abolition of the
brass tester.
By Senator H. B. Wilson-From citizens of
Red Wing asking the legislature to memorial
lie Congress to propose an amendment to the
federal constitution permitting all citizens to
vote.
RESOLUTION.
Senator Mealey offered the following resolu-
ton:
RESOLVED, That the railroad commissioner is
hereby requested to furnish the Senate at the
earliest day practicable the tariff rates. regular
and special now in force, on the various rail
roads in this State for transportation of
freight, and if in his opinion the rates now
charged by all the said railroad companies to
produce an aggregate amount to each company
necessary to sustain them in business is Just
and equal upon all communities, and if the
charge for short distance transportation is not
too high and long distances too low.
Adopted.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS.
By Senator E. NJ. Wilson-To amend special
laws Of 1876, relating to the municipal court
of st. Paul.
BY Senator Mills--To provide for farmers
board of trade of Minnesota
By Senator Hinds-TO amend special laws OF
1875, relating to the chief of police of Shak-
opee.
BY Senator Simmons-To incorporate the
village of Little Falls, Morrison county. Rules
suspended and bill passed.
Senator Williams called up his bill relating
to certain school districts in Waseca county,
and it was passed under suspended rules.
SENATOR DoRAN's REPLY.
Senator Brown in the chair Senator Doran
proceeded to defend the acts of the committee
appointed by the Senate last winter to investi-
gate the affairs of the insane asylum. He took
hold of the matter at the doors of the asylum,
where the committee WAS met with fiat re-
fusal from one of the employees Of the ASYLUM
to their request to be allowed to pass the sacred
portals of that Institution, the denial by the
officers and trustees of the right to investigate
the affairs of the asylum by the legislative com
nesses as to cruelty to insane patients, the
strangulation of Terrence McDonough by the
use Of a wooden plug forced into his throat and
pitcher of soup turned down him, the scald-
ing to death of Mrs. Kidney in the bath tub,
and other murders and cruelties to the inmates,
He quoted copiously from reports of the Of
fcers clear back to the foundation of the insti-
tuition, and showed by them and other docu-
mentary evidence that wholesale extravaganza.
fraud and stealing had been practiced by the
officers and trustees in the matters of building,
purchasing Of supplies and land, for all of
which the State was charged more than like
services and articles were worth, and that it
costs the State some $lS per patient more to
support the insane of Minnesota than the
average cost in other Staues. He also thor
oughly picked to pieces the reply of the trus-
tees of the asylum to the Senate committees
report, and demonstrated it's inconsistencies by
their own reports and the evidence brought out
before the committee at great LENGTH Then
the Senate took recess till 2:30 P. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
communication was received from the
Governor announcing, bis approval of certain
acts.
Also enclosing communication from the
department of the interior relating to Indians
leaving their reservations.
BILLS INTRODUCED AND PASSED UNDER sUs-
PENDED RULES.
By Senator Simmons-To establish an indie.
penden school district in Morrison county.
By Senator Rice-To divide the town of
Norway Lake.
THE SALARIES OF STATE OFFICERS
Upon motion of Senator 81. B. Wilson the
bill to reduce the salaries of State officers was
made the special order for 2:30 P. NJ. on Tues.
day next.
in COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senator Macdonald in the chair, Senator
Doran resumed his address. He reviewed the
acts of the committee, giving facts with
mlnuteness of detail, backed them up with at
tested evidence, and paid particular attention
to the crookedness of Rev. Kerr. In conclusion
he explained his personal attitude toward the
asylum officers and its management as follows:
Now in regard to the committees report and
duties of the investigation committee. If thew
go to find nothing they will find nothing. We
believed our duty was to find things as they
were, and SO reported without favor to any,
with no intent to do njustice to any one.
Having no interest except the good of the
State and the relief the tax payers, who are
loaded down with debt and taxes, selling all
their produce for nothing Whilst willing to
take care of those in need and the unfortunate
we want our money properly applied. In JUS
tice to them we think change will do good.
It will certainly do no harm, and we 40 recon-
mend. have no pride in this matter except
to carry out settled purpose of mine early
formed TO do my duty, and hope to find others
do theirs. 1 find no fault with those who criti-
else my actions, as think all men should be
able to stand criticism. In all my time in this
body, defy any one to connect me with dis
honorable transaction. I vote and act as my
impulse dictates. may be wrong at times.
and in my hasty moments do injustice to other
Senators and others outside of this body. If
so, now ask their pardon, for they may be-
ieVe it is with no mean purpose Of revenge or
to do them any injury, but from hasty inn
pulses which men cannot at all times control.
And now, Mr. President, allow me to thank
You for your many acts of kindness, and to nv
fellow Senators for many honors, and to par
ticularly thank you and them for placing my
name at the head Of this committee; and you
may believe we acted for what we believe was
for the best interest of all. It will be treas
ured by me as one of the proudest records of a
checkered life when Republican Senate made
me chairman of this committee. By it's action
| am willing to stand or fall. Believing that
time will vindicate our action-and that we
have done come good I think none will doubt
/ see nothing in that report would now
change. am sorry for nothing, and have no
regrets.
At the conclusion of Senator Dorap's de-
fenBe the Senate seemed to be in q quandary as
to what action to take in the matter.
Senator J. B. Gilillan hoped the Senate
would not imagine he was interested in this
question as attorney, or in any other way. He
had never read the reports of the committee,
the public examiner, or the reply of the trus-
tees relating to the matter, and his interroga-
tories were for information only, for his time
had been SO much occupied as to prevent his
Informing himself.
Senator McCrea, chairman of the standing
committee on insane asylum, could not give