The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-03-22
FOR AND AGAINST.
Arguments Relative to a State
Board of Control.
The House Puts in the Day Discussing
the Proposed Change of Manage.
ment of State institu-

Mr.. jacobson uulSueu las oPoOOh "'
the conclusion of the morning session,
and Mr.. Peterson of Hennepin occupied
nearly an hour this afternoon In a
reply Mr. Torson attempted to shut
off debate and get vote before the
noon recess, but withdrew his motion
in response to protests.
Mr.. Dobbin called attention to the
increasing amounts being voted to
the state institutions and declared that
the state might find itself compelled at
some time in the near future to insti-
tute a policy of retrenchment. He
questioned the fairness of that argu-
ment by which it was contended that
activity in politics would be made the
basis for preferment on the board OF
control Mr.. Dobbin did not profess
an intimate knowledge of the present
system, but said it had recently come
to his observation that one institu-
tion, sheltering 400 inmates purchased
meat at retail and coffee in lots suffi-
cient for two months, Notwithstanding
the deterioration that always takes
place in roasted coffee.
Mr.. Sander favored the bill. Mr..
Sweet opposed it. The latter main
tanned that the educational institu-
tions of the state had not been brought
within the jurisdiction of the board,
and to be consistent he held this
should be done. He would not favor
giving the board direction and man.
agement of the university, for in
stance. The present system, he said,
was as near perfect as long years of
experience and intelligent study could
make i. If board of purchase could
be provided for, that would accord
with Mr.. Sweets ideas, but a board
of purchase was by no means synon-
ymous with a board of control. Mr..
Sweet named a prominent Minneapolis
lumberman, and inquired if anyone
supposed the services of man of his
caliber could be engaged for SO, 500 a
year.
Mr.. Pope quoted Warden Wolter as
saving in the presence of Governor
Van SAINT that a board of control
would accomplish necessary and bene-
fetal reforms that it would save the
state $500. 600 annually. The scheme
had been recommended by both Gov
ernor Lind and Governor Van SAINT.
Mr. Sweet had not informed himself,
if he assumed that there was an
absence of demand for this bill. Mr..
jacobson, 1.-The watchdog of the treas
ury," declared that it was necessary
so had Auditor Dunn. The services of
both of these gentlemen were COM
plimented upon in complimentary
terms.
The argument chiefly employed by
the opposition seemed to be that the
charges of the state were cared for
we'll enough as it was. Mr.. Pope con-
cluded by referring to the growing
need of economy in administering the
states affairs.
The division of the question appealed
to Mr. Kelly as being unfair II
the basis of the bill was economical
administration, why were the edu-
cational institutions to be excluded
They were the most expensive of all
to maintain, and therefore those
which should be most logically brought
within the jurisdiction of board of
control. The board of control would
purchase supplies for the University
it would systematic its business in
terests and those of the normal schools,
it would introduce changes and re-
forms, but it would not in any way
interfere with the curriculum of either
normal schools or the university.
Mr.. Whitford favored the bill. The
discharge of the various state boards,
he said, did not mean that superin-
tendents and department heads should
not be retained.
Mr.. Torson, author of the bill, re-
signed the closing of the debate to Mr..
Johnson, who devoted himself chiefly
to replying to Mr. Peterson's attack of
yesterday. He said the welfare of
the inmates in the various state insti-
buttons would be enhanced by the new
departure. Not only would each sup
erintendent and employee perform his
duties as well as in the past, but he
would consider himself upon trial and
a general increase in efficiently would
result
Mr.. Peterson was very earnest yes
terday in his contention that the out
come of the revolutionary methods
provosed would be a small state Tam
many. Mr.. jacobson pointed out that
the only inhibition against "politic
found in the old law required the gov
ernor to appoint members of boards
from different political parties, and
quoted stringent provisions of the new
bill, stating that the friends of the
measure would consent to any amend
ment Mr.. Peterson might propose with
view to eliminating ''politics.
With seventy-fve or hundred mem
bers of state boards active in the poll
tical field, Mr.. jacobson felt that con-
siderably more political power was put
forth than would be the case if board
of control undertook to bring pressure
to bear.
AS to Mr.. Peterson's remark that if
information from state boards was not