The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-20
BLOCK IS BLOCKED
ST. PETER MANS CONFIRMATION
ON INSANE HOSPITAL BOARD
HUNG UP.
HASTINGS FOLK MAKE WAR
Repeal of "Fhe Corrupt Prac-
tices Act"

NJ. H. Reynolds, state veterinarian,
has been confirmed as a member of the
state board of health, but the senate
now has tied up the appointment Of
Julius Hench Block, of st. Peter, as
member of the state board of man
ayers of insane hospitals
The senate did the courtesy of con-
firming the governors selection in the
first case, where the considerations
were almost purely personal, but the
objections to Mr.. Blocks confirmation
are legal-and the gossips do say
political Not political in the sense of
partisanship, but in the sense that Mr..
Blocks policy, during his membership
on other boards, has been objection
able to a large, and so far at least, in
huent1al element Of the people Of the
state. Mr.. Block is sheriff of Nicoller
county in addition to being the st.
Peter member Of the state board. Ever
since 1t was announced that he would
be reappointed the Hastings people
and their friends have been trying TO
devise schemes on which to beat him.
Mr.. Block voted in favor of Anoka as
the site Of the fourth insane hospital,
with AlVah Eastman, Anokas most
devoted champion in the hospital loca-
ton commission. The first proposition
which was made was that in view of
the increasing number of hospitals, 1t
was unadvisable to continue the prac-
tlce Of insisting on one member of the
board residing in each town where a
hospital was located. This would leave
only one member, under the new state
of affairs, from disinterested communt-
ties, and might lead to eXtravagant
expenditures through the combination
of local pride. This argument was ad-
Vanced to accomplish the undoing CT
the old board, but Messrs. Titus and
Coleman, representing Anoka and
Rochester, were confirmed without OBJ
lection. When it came to Block, how
ever, the opposing forces had raised
the question of holding two offices, and
the senate yesterday decided to refer
the matter to the attorney general for
an opinion.
The senate also deferred action on the
confirmation Of Knut Bondy, of Otter
Tail county, on the state board of
equalization, but, it is claimed, that
there is nothing behind this action
more significant than that Mr.. Bondy
Is seriously ill.,
The other appointments submitted
by the governor were confirmed with
out objection. Berndt Anderson, dairy
commissioner, on whom there has been
some talk Of fight, was not opposed,
and Fred G. Barrows' appointment
as state oil inspector, was similarly
concurred in.
Elmer H. Dearths selection as in
surance commissioner met with gen
eral favor, and with the exceptions
named, the appointees on the state
boards went through with little de-
lay.
Before going into executive session
the senate entertained a few new bills,
elsewhere referred to, and enjoyed
tilt between Senators Wyman and
Yale. relative to the house concurrent
resolution, memorialiZing congress to
appropriate money for a national park
at Vicksburg. The matter will prob
ably come up in the regular order to-
day. Senator Wyman wanted it hur-
ried through, as this is congress short
term, but a suspicion that Mississippi
folk might be working a real estate
deal compelled the measure to take the
usual course.