Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-04


with rare sagaoity they concluded that the
Democratic caucus was to unite forces to pass
the Senate Insane Asylum bill which removes
the present trustees of the St. Peter asylum.
The Republicans accordingly called caucus
to offset the supposed danger. AS matter
of fact the Insane Asylum had no connection
with the Democratic caucus, and it was
neither mentioned or thought of at that
gathering. The Democrats have not reached
such low plane as to regard the question of
the honest or dishonest management of a
State institution as party question.
Not so with the Republicans. If thief
is unearthed the Republican party regards it
as personal affront. They rush to his de-
tense with alacrity and endorse him enthu-
siastically. Hence it was the most natural
thing in the world for the Republicans to
hold caucus last night to endorse the gor-
geous Bartlett, the peculating Kerr and ell
the gang of harpies who have for years been
plundering the State by means of the Asy-
lurn at st. Peter. It was appropriate that
such caucus should be presided over by
that distinguished Christian, Warren H.
Mead, who during the canvass last fall taught
a class in the Sabbath school Sunday afternoon
and made the round of the
Fourth ward saloons Sunday even
ing. 1t was an evident instance
of the right man in the right place. Then
came the blowing Hicks, who, while not
such a sanctimonious hypocrite as Mead,
has run mad in his local and party feeling.
AS Minneapolis has intimate relations with
all the public thieves in the State, and con-
tains a large proportion of them in her
borders, Hicks feels it his duty to protect
his constituents. We don't know that we
blame him for this. He ought to defend the
men who elected HIM, as q matter of graft
tude, but we confess to little surprise at
ms success i'll inducing his party to join
with him in making party question of
routing gang of rascals who have for years
been fattening at the expense of the
taxpayers of Minnesota. It is an anomalous
position for a political party to assume.
Heretofore there has been no politics in the
controversy. There has simply been an
earnest desire on the part of those who have
thoroughly examined this question, to work
a needed reform. What earthly political ad-
vantage can the Democrats gain by change
in the management of the asylum? There
is neither political or pecuniary advantage if
the trust is honestly administered, as it
would be if in Democratic hands. But there
is no contingency whereby the Democrats
would gain control of the institution. They
neither wish, expect, or would accept any such
thing. The bill which has passed the Senate,
and which Hicks parades ss inimical to
the Republican party, places the appoint
ment of the management of the asylum in
the hands of a Republican Governor, subject
to the approval of a Republican Senate.
Cannot the Republicans trust themselves?
Is Mr.. Hicks suspicious of the Republican
ism of Gov. Pillsoury. or is it to shield a
gang of public robbers that he endeavors to
make this matter a party question?
Thus far Democrats and Republicans have
worked together, treating the whole matter
as business proposition. If the RepubG.
can party wishes to shoulder the defalcation
of the Rev. Kerr and add it to the other de-
falcations which it is carrying, we
do not know that Democrats should
complain. Every party is liable to be beset
by thieves, but the party need not become
responsible for them, save as matter of
choice. The Republicans of the Minnesota
House will do we'll to consider carefully the
question of following Hicks leadership in
this matter. From purely partisan stand
point the Democrats would be glad to see
them take this course, but rising above par
tisanship, las the Democrats in the legisla-
ture uniformly do) and looking at. the matter
as citizens of the commonwealth simply, it
will be source of regret to see the
political issue made. The policy to be pur
sued is for the Republicans to determine.
They can, if they wish, furnish abu ndant
party capital to the Democrats or they can
show clear record and argue that they ap-
ply the pruning knife to their own party.
If it was e mere political question we should
be glad to see Mr.. Hicks & Co. endorsed,
His endorsement will place the Republican
party in the breach. It the party wishes to
accept the responsibility they have simply to
vote for the House bill, which is proposed to
take the place of the bill already passed by
the Senate. Choose.
Purcell Being Forced to Assign.
CINCINNATI, March 3.-All indications now
point in the direction of an assignment by
Archbishop Purcell for the benefit of his cred
TORS Ten suits were filed to-day against him
and his brother, Father Edward Purcell, aggre-
eating the sum of $4,000. This will probably
be followed by numerous Others tomorrow,
and it is thought this action on the part of the
creditors will compel an ssignment tomorrow.
Estimates of the assets and liabilities still vary,
as the real figures are withheld by the church
authorities
Indignation Against the Anti Chinese
Veto.
San FRANCISCO, March 3.-Telegrams con-
tinue coming in from all uuarters annonnc