The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-14
CUT oFF IT'S HEAD.

1t is now revealed as quite probable
supreme court may be on the controversy
prevailing over the powers of the board
of control the prevailing disagreemenrs
will continue to break out. The difficulty
goes to the very heart of the situation.
The law, as it exists, is the product in
great measure of the needs and wishes
of politicians who, recognizing that the
situation would make it necessary for
the enactment of a law creating a central
body, such as the present board of con-
troll, proceeded to manipulate things in
the legislature so as to avoid if possible
the worst consequences which were
threatened to themselves and their friends
from the enactment of such a law.
The experience of several states had
made it plain that greater economy and
responsibility could be established in the
administration of state public institutions
public sentiment of the state responded
to the belief, and the passage of any
measure introduced to that end in the
legislature was assured from the outset
The original mistake was made when
those responsible for the new law did not
have it made clear through the several
amendments or otherwise whether the law
was designed to give plenary powers 10
| the new body, or whether it was designed
merely to exercise supervisory pow
| ers h e G l o during the discussion
of the measure before the legislature de-
clared it's settled conviction that the pub
lie service would be better advanced if
the powers extended to the new body
were merely made supervisory; but it's
views and those of the legislators who
agreed with it were of course ignored
The understanding was that the law
would be adopted in such form as would
create a body of absolute authority over
the state institutions, save alone those
which were purely educational in their
character.
The result, owing to the exigencies of
Republican politics. has been unfortunate
most unfortunate. The efficiency of the
beard of control as at present organized
is effectively destroyed There is no re-
spect paid to its DEGREES. Its uprightness
is openly called in quetion The BUSH
ness, community, the official community,
and finally the political community which
revolves around the state capitol, are
thoroughly sick of it, it's DEGREES and
it's official actions. 1t has no recognized
place in the political or official economy
of the state; and unless it is thoroughly
reformed, reorganized and recast in the
character of its official relations toward
the several state institutions over which
it has been trying to exercise undisputed
jurisdiction, it should have it's head cut
off by the next legislature.
The same demand exists today that ex-
listed when this mischievous creation was
called into existence. The people want a
central executive body, with either limit
ed or unlimited powers-it matters not
very much which-which will control the
charitable and penal institutions of the
state, and will have supervision of the
financial operations, and no more, of the
educational concerns. The only way to
secure this end now appears to be to
wipe the present body out of existence.
When Gov. Van SAINT calls together MAT
extra session of the legislature, to do he
knows not what. never did know and
never will, he might with profit include
in his call the urgent need of some ra-
tional system of administering the af-
fairs of the state charitable, penal and
educational Institutions
A. @1,fxy