Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-05
THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE.
Legislation was but little advanced in the
House yesterday, and what little was done
was in the wrong direction. Early in the
day the House went into committee of the
whole. The first bill on general orders was
the House substitute for the Senate bill re-
organizing the insane asylum. On this there
was great deal of debate of a more or less in
teresting nature, but it was evident from the
start that the Republican caucus which met
the previous evening had fixed things to suit
"Littls Villain" Fletcher. sBut one Repub-
lican protested against this prostitution of
the party caucus-Mr. Benson, who spoke
strongly against the dictation of the caucus.
After every phase of the question had been
elucidated, Messrs. Jones, Bohan and Ben
son doing earnest battle for the Senate bill,
the motion to recommend the House bill
was carried. Mr.. Jones succeeded in getting
record of the vote when the report of the
committee was adopted in open House.
When it was announced there was applause
i'll the lobbies, led by "Little Villain
Fletcher.
The afternoon and evening sessions we're
wholly consumed in committee of the whole.
and total of forty-nine bills were disposed
of, about two score being recommended for
passage.
Routine Rep0rt.
The House met at $50 A. M, Speaker Gilman
in the chair.
Prayer by the chaplain.
The standing committees made report upon
bills referred to them, which were adopted
Mr.. Oppenheim called up his resolution re-
lating to the city printing, and moved that the
bill be referred to the Ramsey county delega-
ton.
Mr.. Mead said as the fight had been made he
would state that the bill involved taxation of
over $4,000 for this city. The speaker pre-
sented bill of 81 ,O26.85 paid to the GLOBE for
one months printing. The question was a
purely economical one, and ought to be consid-
cred on that basis.
MIR. James Smith, Jr., insisted that the meas
ure was not one of economy, for since the city
printing had been given to the GLOBE a saving
of 30 per cent. had been effected. He thought
it was proper to leave the matter where it now
rests-in the hands of the council. They had
provided in another bill for giving the other
papersta chance to get the printing of the
board of education, and that YVES certainly
fair. He would consent, however, to consider
this matter, and would pledge Mr.. Mead that
he would not oppose an early report.
Mr.. Oppenheim asked tho reference of the
bill to the delegation simply as matter Of
courtesy that had been extended to every other
delegation since the session began.
Mr. Mead withdrew his objection, and the
bill was referred as requested.
Mr.. Kendall moved to take up the bill re-
leasing the swamp lands from the Soldiers
orphans home. The motion was lost, by vote
of 81 to 81.
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.
I, ~
charter of Northfeld was adopted was, on mo-
tion of MI: SERVER, reconsidered and the bill
indefinitely postponed.
THE INSANE ASYLUM.
The House then went into committee of the
whole on general orders. The first matter that
came up was the bill relating to the second
hospital for the insane. Mr.. Jones moved that
the Senate bill recognizing the asylum be SUBJ
stituted for the bill now before the House, He
dAlIssR., be said, because he thought it was am
ple'S.fne that change of management in the
insane asylum should be made. The bill of
the Senate contemplated such a change, and
the substitute of the House killed that bill and
defeated the purpose Of the Senators, who had
given the subject a long and faithful considers
ton. Tho affairs of the institution had under
gone a thorough investiga. ion and it had
been found that many Irregularities existed,
which proved concinsively a state of affairs the
reverse of complimentary to the trustees. The
accounts OF the treasurer had been kept IN an
exceedingly slpshod manner. and he had been
found to have been guilty Of a defalcation of
about 81 900. He had tried to account for the
Irregularities thus shown by some very fimsy
excuses Mr.. Jones then read certificates from
the State auditor and treasurer certifying that
the amount paid for the support of the institu-
tion for the years 1866 and 1867, to be. $78,-
1861. He then submitted statement from
the public examiner comparing the report of
the State treasurer with the books aud vouchers
of Mr.. Kerr, which showed considerable dis
crepancy. He did not think that the report of
the committee on public accounts satisfied
the! public, and the report of the Senate
committee did. He regretted to learn that at
the Republican caucus of the evening previous
it was determined to make this party ques-
tion. He thought such course reflected no
credit upon the party. For himself he Thought
the control of State institution should be
kept independent Of sill partisan oonsldera.
tons.
NJ. Benson said the motion Of Mr.. Jones