St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-07
PRESIDENT BARRETT RESIGNS.

PRESIDENT BARRETT RESIGNS.
The President of the Board of Public
Works Lays Down the Gavel--
why lie Did 1t.
When the board of public works met
Thursday night letter from Hon. William
Barrett, resigning his Office as president of
the board, was read. Mr.. Barrett does not
sever his connection from the board, al
though he intimates that he might do so
shortly. AS it was hoped that MI. Barrett
would withdraw his resignation, publicity
was not given to the letter until he had an
nounced the fact himself outside the board.
The letter reads:
To the Board of Public Works Of the City
of St. Paul. Minn.-Gentlemen: l hereby re-
sign the Office of president of the board of
public works. In doing so l take the oppor-
tunity to express my sincere thanks to each
member of the board, for the uniform kind
ness and courtesy, the considerate attention
given, and the kind and cordial assistance
you have invariably extended to me as the
presiding officer Of your board during the
past year. 1t is unnecessary for me
to remind you that the Office
which 1 now resign has been no
sinecure, or that it will prove to be such
hereafter to anyone who shall honestly IN
dertal1e to faithfully discharge the onerous
holding this position, to discharge the always
arduous and oftentimes delicate duties i'm
posed with impartiallty and to the best of my
ability. That have not always succeeded,
even to my own satisfaction, to say nothing
of that of the members of the board or or the
public, am free to admit.
With the best of intentions to do
the right and proper thing at
all times and under all circumstances,
it is next to an impossibility not to make oc-
casional mistakes and errors in judgment,
but such mistakes and errors in Judgment L
beg to assure you "have been of the head
and not of the heart"
l respectfully ask that my resignation may
receive your immediate consideration and
acceptance and that my successor may be
elected without delay.
To my successor shall give, during the
brief 5eriod l may remain member of your
board, the same cordial and hearty assistance
and support that have always received from
each of you.
In conclusion, I respectfully ask to be ex-
cused from further attendance upon the
meetings of the board until my successor
shall have been elected. Respectfully, your
obedient servant, WILLIAM BARRETT.
IT WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
A motion was Immediately carried that
the resignation of Mr.. Barrett as president
of the board be not accepted, and that he
be requested to reconsider his action and
withdraw his resignation. Mr.. Barrett
was granted a leave of absence until Tues
day. the 10th inst. Judge Hoyt presided
at the meeting of the board last night.
No reason is given for Mr.. Barrett's
resignation, other than it was his inclina-
ton. He went to Duluth last night on the
$40 train. Before starting he said he re-
signed because the office took up too much
of his time, and he had found the duties
onerouS, as well. He did not want the
office; he had been induced to accept
it against his inclination, and
he wished now to give it up. and not only
that, but he thought of resigning from the
board altogether at an early date. He had
nothing to conceal, he said; and nothing to
disclose; it was his desire to resign, if the
board would accept it. There were no
strained relations between himself and any
other member of the board, he said, and
the little differences that might have oc-
Cured now and then had no bearing what
ever on the matter.
That the little dispute between Mr.. Bar
rett and Mr.. German, the clerk of the
board, in the city treasurer's Office Wednes-
day morning had anything to do with the
resignation is generally pooh pooled at by
the members of the board. Mr.. German
HAD GIVEN DIRECTIONS
to Mr.. Erwin, the assistant clerk, relating
to some assessment rolls. as usual, when
Mi. Barrett seemed to want the work done
in different way, and expressed his wish
to that effect Mr.. German told him to mind
his own business, that himself knew his own
duties and how to perform them, and that
he would take issue with Mr.. Barrett before
the board at any time. Mr.. German. refer
to this last night, said this was nothing but
trife. Mr.. German did not think this
had anything to do with the resignation, be-
cause Mr.. Barrett treated him quite pleas
antly afterward, and presided at the board
meeting that night. Furthermore, ever
since Mr.. Barrett was reelected
last March, he has frequently ex-
pressed an intention to resign. When
his letter was received the board asked
Mr.. German if he had had any difficulty
with Mr.. Barrett. He stated the facts, but
said he did not have any idea of taking any
issue before the board, and would certainly
treat Mr.. Barrett with proper courtesy if he
should conclude to withdraw his resigna-
ton. The members of the board laughed,
and attached no importance whatever to any
personal difference which, outside the ses-
sions of the board, might ever occur between
its president and its clerk.
The other members of the board say the
reason they hope Mr.. Barrett will decide to
remain president is that the position is a
difficult one to fill, and they regard him as
peculiarly the man for the position.