The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-04-08
VETOED BY CLOUGH
THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT APPROVE
THE HASTINGS LOCATION.
IN Bill Returned to the House Ac-
by "a Message in
which the overnOr States His
Reasons for the Ncto-Thc lnor-
Sanized HiIi RccOnsid-
e~red-Gany Bills Passed.

st. Paul, March ~. - The governor
yesterday sent IA message To the house
returning the bill for the location of
the fourth insane asylum ut Hastings.
II giving his reasons for withholding
his signature. The message is as fol-
lows:
Hon. j. ID. Jones, Speaker Of the House of
Representatives-Sir: / have the honor 10 re-
turn to your honorable body without my APP
prevail II. f. 693, AN act 10 locate and ac-
quire a site for the fourth state hospital for
the insane and to revoke the action OF the
commission appointed under chapter 1877. of the
General Laws of 1895, in the location of a
site for said hospital and to appropriate money
therefor
In withholding my approval from this bill
/ wish to say that | am actuated:
Firstly considerations OF public policy. and,
Secondly my desire to maintain unimpaired
and untmpeached the honor and the reputation
for good faith and fair dealing of our state,
and which as governor 1 am sworn to uphold.
My objections to this bill are few, but vital,
and are as follows: Under chapter l57, Cen
erai Laws of Minnesota for 1895. a commits
sion or seven persons coming from different
in - tne state ana representing the three
Ieaalhs political parties was appointed To locate
and purchase a site for the fourth state hospi-
tai for the insane at some point as near as
practicable 10 the cities of st. Paul and Min
neapolis. This commission was given fun 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. purchase, take and ac-
quire any lands and premises, public or pri-
Vate, that may be necessary convenient or
proper for tie purpose Of such site. The acts
OF TINS commission were, therefore, the acts
of the state.
The sum Of $i5. 900 was appropriated by the
before mentioned acts for the purpose OF pur-
chasing said site and land for such hospital.
The commission was July organized, II eX-
amined a number OF sites offered, and after
agreeable to the terms and provisions of said
chapter 15T, a suitable site was finally select
ed, the same being located at Auoka. the value
of which was said TO be $4,000. or $1,000
more than the amount appropriated by the
state Tor 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
sCrlbed a sum of money amounting To about
$4,000, which they practically donated 10 the
state in order to defray the extra cost of the
site, and in doing this they undoubtedly relied
upon the states good faith and honor in the
premises.
This site at Anoka was purchased By the
state, the $4,000 appropriated therefor being
drawn from the state treasury by the commits
sion and paid to the owner or owners OF the
land and the bargain was concluded.
Certain persons interested in securing the
location of this state institution at a place
other than Anoka were dissatisfied and sought
to upset the action of the commission in the
district court of Ramsey county. Their suit
or application failed or was denied, and the
decision of the district court was affirmed on
appeal by the supreme court of the state.
since the legislature mas Deen IN session the
actions of the commission have been investi-
gated by a special legislative committee, and
the report OF this committee not only fails to
disclose any improper or Illegal act by the com
mission, but specifically declares that no such
act was committed.
And after all this | find a bill awaiting my
signature which has been passed by your hon
orable body and by the coordinate branch OF
the Legislature, the effect of which, If IL be-
came a law. would be to annul the work OF
the aforesaid commission, disregard the de-
cisions of the court, ignore the findings OF
the special legislative and TO re-
pudiate a contract entered into by the state
with the citizens of the city of AnJka in good
faith and mutual reliance. In addition TO this
i consider the further expenditure of $4,000
of the public money for a new site in these
times of commercial depression entirely unwar-
ranted and uncalled for,
1t is a regrettable circumstance that the
selecting of a site for the fourth insane hos
pital should be the subject OF treatment OPP
posed to every consideration OF good policy
and public policy, and | have therefore with
held my approval and signature from this bill,
which is herewith returned to your honorable
body. | have the honore 10 remain, very re-
spectfully,
(SignedD ID. Al. Clough, Governor.