Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-07
THE LEGLSLATURE.

THE LEGISLATURE.
To-day at noon the twenty first legislature
of the State of Minnesota will assemble
and permanently organize. The session is
limited by the constitution to sixty days,
and as the business of two years must be
perfected in that time, it will be perceived
that there is little time to lose. It should be
the aim of the members to give every sub
ject that comes before them the most care
fol consideration and scrutiny, So that the
State may not suffer any of the evils that
follow hasty legislation.
There are many matters of Importance to
the wellheing of the community that re-
quire attention. Our laws are deficient in
many respects, and our expenses are too Law
ISL. Now that the monetary affairs of the
country have been placed upon firm and
permanent basis, those who hold Office should
be expected to submit to such reduction of
salaries as is in consonance with the changed
order Of things. A general reduction in sal
aries may not be necessary, for some of the
officials now receive none too much pay for
the duties they perform. But careful in
spection of the appropriation bills will show
wherein considerable sum may be saved to
the State, even by reduction of salaries or
the abolition of useless Offices.
We need, as soon as such measure can
be matured, a judicious bankrupt law. At
present our business men are liable 10 suffer
the practical confscation of their goods
through seizures by one or more of their
creditors who may fancy themselves ag-
grieved or liable to be defrauded. We want
law similar in many of its features to
the national bankrupt law recently
repealed, but which shall guard against the
legalization of swindling and the distribu-
ton of largo estates in court costs and re-
gisters' fees. Perhaps as good model for
such a law is that now in force in New York,
which is so hedged about that no injustice
can be done to either debtor or creditor
under cover of the law.
We need a law for the protection of our
cemeteries. Body snatching is not crime
not even misdemeanor-under our laws,
and the resurrectionists can ply their in
famous trade in the full efulgence of the
MONDAY sun without fear of punishment
except such as might be visited upon them
by an indignant public sentiment. 10 dis
turb the resting place of the dead ought to
be made a felony punishable with the utmost
rigor of the law.
Our State institutions need general over
hauling. The GLOBE has printed the state
ments Of several ex-convicts who testify that
at the penitentiary they were subjected to
the most barbarous and inhuman treatment.
and the allegations have been sustained by
more reputable witnesses. The matter should
be thoroughly investigated by Legislative
COMMITTEES, and if it shall be proved that the
charges are true, the guilty parties should be
adequately punished, or at any rate, driven
from the service of the State. Because men
are criminals they should not be compelled
to endure fortunes at the hands of inhuman
monsters who happen to be placed over
them. The State cannot afford to suffer the
disgrace of such a condition of affairs.
The committee of the Senate appointed at
the last session of the legislature
to inquire into the management
of the insane asylum at St. Peter have given
the matter careful consideration. They
have found that the accounts have beerkept
IN slovenly manner, and that overcharees
for work done and materials furnished have
been frequently made. They gave the &C
cused parties every opportunity they desired
TO vlndlcate themselves, but it has not been
done. After patiently listening to all the
evidence the committee have submitted their
report to the Governor. They reached the
following conclusions:
The committee believe that the best interests
II the Gtate imperatively demand a change in
he boarG OF trustees, and the treasurer having
temonetrafed his incapacity, should be sus,
oendees to rnteob the State against further loss
'nu extraVt. ance, a.ld proncr steps be taken to
'oliect from him the amount el;,e the State.
That the organization Of inc hospital be en-
lreiy remodeled by an act Clearly defining this |
powers and duties of the tzus5ees and officers. |
making it criminal offenso Ter any of them
Q exceed the power given TO them under the
tatutes.
That the salaries of the officers and compen-
"eHoA. " CAAO oAuoGcCS, IL any, De OeunltelY |
ixed by law.
That the appointing power. now lodged with
ne trustees, having resulted injuriously to the
'est interests of the hospital, the authority to
make such appointments should be taken from
hem, and the legislature should enact a law
equiring the executive to appoint.
These conclusions are worthy of the at
ention of the legislature. No one who has
cad the testimony can say that they are not
ully warranted. If the committee erred at
III 1t was on the side of mercy for the &C
used. lie matter must not be ignored,
or the credit of the State is at stake. All
'ublic officials should be held to strict ac-
ountahility for the manner in which they
ischargs their duties, and if they are
ers!tot should be promptly retired.
Other matters Will claim the attention Of