The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1896-01-02
A REMARKABLE LETTER.

A REMARKABLE LETTER.
1t Will be remembered that during
the latter days OF the summer months,
the question arose as to whether P. W.
Wildt, then the assistant secretary of
this state was legally ent'tle to draw
double salary-obe as such assistant,
and one as superintendent of the state
census, and the attorney general noti-
fed the state treasurer that he could
legally pay both salaries, providing the
secretary of state. Mr.. Berg, would cerr
tfy that the duties performed by Mr..
Wildt were not such as devolved upof,
the assistant secretary by virtue OF bis
office, and that the extra services were
discharged without interfering with his
worth the extra salary allowed and Mr..
Berg did SO certify. At this juncture: Mr..
Wildt went abroad on a visit, for
relaxation and tion-the census
having been practically completed. Led
by one of the capitol city dailies, a num-
be- of the newspapers in this state cri-
ticised with unreasonable virulence and
larshness, the action of Mr.. Berg, in
this matter, and he very unceremoni
onsly removed Mr.. Wildt during his alb
sen,e, cabling him very equivocal
notification Of the TACT in merely saying
that his leave, of absence had been in
definitely extended. The fuTl significance
of the cablegran3did not dawn upon
Nh. Widt until his return. when he
found his successor duly installed.
And now MIR. Berg has written very |
remarkable letter to Mr. Wildt, which
certainly falls far short of putting the
secretary in a more favorable light
Here if is, il it's entirety:
ST. Paul, Dec 23.-non P. w. WiIdt,
Minneapolis, Min.-Dear Sir: The step
taken in your release from the office OF
assistant secretary OF state feel re-
quires this letter in explanation.
| cannot too highly commend Your
work while member of my official
family. You were earnest, conscientious
and honest.
IN my letter TO non. "A. NOSIHSI
under date OF Oct. 7, 1895. l fully ex-
plain my position toward you and your
official duties as they were performed
by you, and beg leave at this time to {
reiterate what l there, at that time, !
said.
Owing. to your absence and my IN
ability to communicate witk you l ;
fourd it necessary to act before your
return and fiji your position because of
political expediency.
This letter is written you in justice to {
yourself. and as q friend which l always !,
hope to be. ALBERT BERG.
1t will be observed that he says: You
were earnest, conscientious and hon :
est" and II found it necessary to act /;
before your return and fill your position
because of political expediencv." What 8
does he mean by political expediency? !
That his own chances for denomination i,
would be increased by removing an ,
earnest, conscientious and honest" s
assistant: or does he presume to speak :
for the republican party of this state :,
that political expediencv demands the {
CiuOSUi Vi all hOuSSt, dIHSSl anu SOh- |
scientious Official? What kind of expe- ,
diency is he attempting to justify under? ,
The HERALD is od-lashioned enough to ,
bslieve that an earnest, conscientious .
and honest" officer ought not to be re- ,
moved secretly and without notice. and
that political expediency" is best sub
served, NV the retention of men possess.
Ing three such cardinal vi, tues in Office.
No. Mr.. Berg, whatever may have been
the impellng influence to your act of {
dismissal, y our explanation, or justtica- |
tion or apology, or whatever it may be,
wofully fails to explain or justiiy-how-
ever muchit may apologize. The apollo
gy is personal, and its suficiency is
solely for Mr.. Wildt's consideration.