The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-19

PAL. all governed by different laws, and on
efal reports. as well as examiners reports.
20 look after, 1t is natural that the office
work must be tremendous for the chief and
sun the department is only allowed $1,000 per
annum for clerical help, which small salary
now is diveded between two clerks.
Inc business of each institution is con-
stantly increasing. and it can well be under
s1eod that change must be made By the
next legislature, to lessen the responsibilities
and more equally divide the work in this
department.
1t has frequently been suggested that that
man or another would make a good bank
examiner, but would he be as well qualified
1or the position of public examiner? AS often
IS one or another proposed as the right man
for public examiner but what kind of super
lntendent of banks would he make?
1t is not fair to continue to make this
department some kind of scapegoat for in
action of the legislature by not providing
sufficient help, as now is generally reeog-
nized by the public to be the shortcomings
of the Office.
Here is a department, or rather two. with
supervision over $50 institutions. governed
by more or less insufficient and different
laws, and only four assistants to the chief
Tor the work, and not one working day in
the year for the chief to scrutinize each re-
pert. No word of incompetency has ever
oeen sald against any Of the examiners dur
ing their many years connection with the
department, but the law prescribes that each
institution shall be examined ''once in each
year, and some twice, and the public must
sooner or later realize the mistake, to say
the leas,, which the legislature made in not
providing for proper assistance.
This must be corrected, and the question
now Is only how it should be done to be OF
the most practical value. Instead of concen-
tratlng more duties on the Office, the legis-
lature should, TO properly equip this de-
partment, divide it into two departments:
hR Dflhl 10
Under the supervision of the public exam
lner should come those institutions now al
ready under him, viz: The state treasury
the state institutions. the fire companies,
county officers and city of St Paul; als1
should be added thereto all cities with over
90. Geo population and all the state depart
The Office force should consist Of: The
public examiner, deputy public examiner, one
assistant examiner and one clerk.
= The Bank Commissioner Department
Under the supervision of this department
should come the following financial institu-
tlons, viz The state banks, savings banks,
trust companies and building and loan as
socialons. Authority, similar to that in
regard to state banks, should be given the
bank commissioner to close up any of these
financial institutions when found insoIvent
or when otherwise the law has been violated
me reports made to the bank commissioner
should not be filed with the governor bur
IN this department alone, and in the disere-
.lon or the commissioner should be open
Tor Inspection OF parties interested and sub
1ect TO the order OF any district court in
the state and the commissioner held re-
sponslble only TO the state legislature
The force should consist of the bank COM
missioner, assistant bank commissioner, two
bank examiners and two clerks
This would necessitate an entirely new and
revised law as TO the various responsibilities
and duties Of this Office. II such legisIa-
ton Is enacted these two departments will
De equipped for more useful work and the
public then can expect a good deal
The chances are that public sentiment will
voice Itself in legislation to correct this mis-
take. x