The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-27
GOV. CIsoUGH TAKES THE BREATH
FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE
HOUSE.
RETURNS THE HOSPITAL BILL.
GIVES REASONS FOR REFUSING TO
GIVE 1T HIS SIGMA
TURE.
CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC POLICY
Hastings People Not Particularly
Uneasy-CInim They Can Muster
Votes Enough.

Like the traditional thunderbolt out
of a clear sky came the governors veto
of the Hastings insane hospital Dill
yesterday morning, when the mouse
was engaged in transacting routine
business. Committee reports were be-
ing read, when Speaker Jones called to
his side Messrs. Staples and Dare, the
champions Of Hastings and Anoka on
the floor of the house. After a mo-
ment's hurried conference, the docu-
ment was read. Notwithstanding sew
eral intimations to the contrary, 1t was
apparent that Gov. Clough had taken
nobody into his confidence, for the sur
prise was complete, and the matter was
the chief topic of conversation the bal
ance of the day. The veto message was
laid on the table until after the mid
day recess, when it was called up.
Mr. Staples, who has had charge OF
the bill III. F. 693) moved that it be
made the subject Of a special order of
the house on Tuesday, March 80, at
2:30 p. m. An explanation was made
that the interested parties had had no
chance to confer, but, he thought, the
friends as we'll as the opponents of the
bill would make no objection to the
slight delay in acting upon the veto.
Mr. Dare, speaking for the Anoka
contingent, replied that he had no OBJ
lection to a wait, although he was
ready to go on at this time with the
matter.
The Hastings people are nothing
daunted by what they consider an en-
firnlU Iod nd cd
action on the part of Gov. Clough. They
say that the chief executive of the
state, in spite Of the action Of the COM
mission, the rulings of the courts and
the further verdict Of the people of
the state, expressed in no mistakable
manner by the reasonably large ma
jorities Of both house and senate, fol-
lowing a careful, thorough investiga-
ton Of the matter, has put aside all
precedent and by an arbitrary use Of
his power has sought to upset the ac-
ton of the legislature, based on a pro-
tracted consideration of the merits of
the case brought out by a joint COM
mttee, which looked into the doings Of
the commission, took careful account
of the advantages possessed by each
place, and then decided in favor Of
Hastings.
In reply to the statement that the
move made by the HASTINGS leaders
In delaying action on the matter at
this time is an acknowledgment of the
weakness of their position, the Hast
lngs people say that the lukewarin
members will be more likely to rally
To the Hastings standard when they
nave had an opportunity to more close
.ly post themselves on the situation.
Tls1 oil fIoo
before cast for Hastings and are Of
the opinion that the additional nine
necessary can and will be recruited
from the then absentees and those who
resent the action taken by the COVER
nor.
The Anoka partisans and especially
the members of the Hennepin deIega-
ton were in high feather last night.
but at the same time the Hastings
forces are being quietly marshaled
and when Tuesday comes they claim
they will have the required seventy
six noses. 1t is claimed that Gov.
Clough's action is taken as a means
for re-esta blishing himself liz the esti-
nation of Hennepin county, and the
opinion is freely expressed that tile
executive has put himself in the posi-
ton of the bull which sought to butt
an approaching railroad train off the
track. His nerve was to be admired
but one could not commend his iudg-
ment. Following was the veto mes
sage:
Hon. J. D. Jones. Speaker of the House of
RepresentatVes-Dear Sir: 1 have the honor
to return 10 your honorable body without
my approval, H. F. 500. "An act to locate
and acquire site for the fourth state hos
pttal for the insane, and to revoke the action
of the commission appointed under chapter
157. of the General Laws of 1895 in the loca-
ton Of site for said hospital and to ap-
propriate money therefor"
In withholding my approval from this bill
l wish to say that / am actuated:
First-By considerations of public policy:
and.
Secondly my desire to maintain unim-
paired and unimpeached the honor and the
reputation for good faith and fair dealing
Of our state, and which as governor | am
sworn to uphold.
My objections to this bill are few. but
vital. and are as follows: Under chapter
l51. General Laws of Minnesota 1895 a COM
mission or seven persons, coming from d!f-
ferent parts Of the state. and representing
the three leading political parties was APP
pointed to locate an& purchase site for the
fourth state hospital for the insane at some
point as near as practicable 10 the cities OF
st. Paul and Minneapolis. This commission
was given full and sufficient powers and, in
the wording of the act before mentioned was
authorized and empowered in the name and
on behalf of the state to enter upon, pur-
chase take and acquire any lands and prem
1ses public or private that may be neces-
OF such Site" The acts of this commission
were. therefore, the acts of the state
The sum of $15 coo was appropriated by the
before mentioned acts for the purpose of pur-
chasing said site and land for such hospital.
The commission was duly organized, it ex-
Amined a number of sites offered and after
acting in every way compatible with and
agreeable to the terms and provisions Of said
chapter 157, suitable site was finally select
ed the same being located at Anoka the
value of which was said to be $25, 000 or Sl0,-
GOO more than the amount appropriated by the
state for the purchase of a site. The citizens
of Anoka being aware that the commission
was acting in the name and on behalf of the
State of Minnesota freely and voluntarily sub
scribed sum of money amounting to about
$4,000, which they practically donated to the
state in order to defray the extra cost of the
site, and in doing this they undoubtedly re-
lied upon the states good faith and honor
in the premises.
This site at Anoka was purchased by the