The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-11-24

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rendered his resignation and same was
accepted. Since Mr., Wolfer's connec'
ton with the Saltwater prison he has
inaugurated many reforms that have
proven extremely valuable in the con-
duct of the institution both in the way
of discipline and finance. He was un-
dou btedly one of the very best wsrdens
in the country and by odds the best that
Minnesota has ever had. 1t is regret.
able that he has found it to his pecu.
mary advantage to leave the institu-
ton and take up another line of work.
While his host of friends throughout
the state regret the severing of his con-
nection with the prison where he has
made himself so valuable, theY>a the
same time congratulate him upon the
splendid position that he has secured
with the St. Paul Irvine Co., and all are
glad to know, from pecuniary stand.
point, that he has certainly bettered
himself The laying down of FIVE
tho usand dollar salary and the taking
up of an eight thousand dollar one is
not an every day occurrence, and were
it not for his peculiarly strong business
qualifications and thorough knowledge
of the Irvine business, which industry
has grown up in the penitentiary under
his personal supervision, this would not
have happened.
The appointment of Mr., Wolfer's sue
cessor will prove surprise to the PEG.
pie generally of Minnesota. General
G. McC. Reeve, ,who has been named by
the prison board, supposedly at the sug.
gestion and solicitation of Governor
Lind, does not seem at this distance to
be fitting appointment, and in saying
this the Free Press does not desire,
neither does it intend to reflect in any
manner upon Mr., Reeves manhood or
general business qualifications. For
the management of penal institution
of this character it would seem that a
man should have been chosen whose
past experience would at least give him
some claim to recognition for the full
fillment of the duties devolving upon a
position of such Importance. We have
no information that Mr.. Reeve has ever
had any experience whatever in the
conduct of an institution of this charac-
ter, and in assuming his new duties
he does so entirely lacking in the esen-
tial qualities necessary to the complete
and satisfactory conduct of. a position
of this character. Succeeding, as he
does, one of the strong men of the
country, whose reputation is only con-
fined within the borders of the territory
composing the United States, it will
certainly be no easy task for the new in.
cumbent to maintain the high standing
to which the Saltwater prison has been
brought through the Acknowledgements
verance and business ability, coupled
with years of experience of his prede-
cessor.
Mr.. Reeve, previous to the last presi-
Dental election, had been consistent
and lifelong Democrat of the rock
| ribbed denomination. He could not,
however, stand Organism and 16 to 1.
and like great many other patriotic
Americans thrust aside, for the time
being, his political preferences and
voted his personal convictions, casting
his ballot for President Mckinley.
While not very generally known, Mr..
Reeve, soon after President Mckinley s
election, was an aspirant for al'South
American ministerial appointment, but
failed in securing any position under
| the present administration. So, from a
standpoint of pure politics. it can hardly
! be charged that free silver governor
was infenced in his sentiments by the
recommendation of a gold Democrat for
one of the best positions under his adj
ministration. There will be, however,
in this appointment, some people, no
doubt, who will charge that Mr.. Liz
might have been under the impression
| when he took. Mr.. Reeve up. that the