The Saint Paul globe., 1904-11-02

AT the quarterly meeting of the SUI
perlntendents OF the state Institutions,
neid with the board Of control yester-
day at the state capitol, there was a
renewal of the discussion Of the age
pension system for state employees.
Mr.. Leavett. Of the board of control,
presented his views at some length
on the subject and claimed he had
been misinterpreted in the past.
AT the discussion of the topic three
months ago there was a free discus
sion Of the subject, and Chairman L.
f. Jacobson, of the board of control.
took strong ground against the pro-
posed plan of pensioning employees Of
the state in its state institutions.
S. w. Leavett, a member OF the
board who was unavoidably absent at
the last meeting, had advocated the
plan, but from an address written by
him and read at the meeting yester-
day, 1T appeared that the extent of the
nature of the plan had been enlarged
upon beyond his original views.
Mr. Leaxett. was suffering from a
severe cold and was unable to speak
yesterday. His address was read by
DR.. A. F. Kilbourne, superintendent of
the Rochester hospital for the insane.
Mr.. Leavett, from the tone of his ad-
dress, feels that he was put in a false
position by newspaper discussion Of
his pet project and his views are en-
livened by rather sharp criticism of
the newspapers and politicians who
have disagreed with him. Mr. Lea
vetts address follows:
Defends Pension System $50 ~
The question Of whether certain state
employees should be pensioned, after a cer-
tain number of years service, injected it,
self into the discussion at the last meet
ing of the superintendents at this Office
The discussion was desultory, and, judg-
ing from the reports in the papers,. went
entirely beyond its legitimate bounds, so
far as the position. of the board OF control
OF state institutions is concerned
Some of us, myself among the number
received much adverse criticism for ad-
vocating the pensioning of state officials
from governor down. and others received
great credit for killing such a nefarious
proposition before it had time to fasten
itself upon the vitals of the state. all of
it has injured a good cause that like all
other public questions, has two sides to il: /:
and, as well. misrepresented the position
mary. if not all. of you gentlemen. as TO
our position on this question.
l was not present at the former dis
SuSSioii, having Deen caileu away on huSl-
ness matters, which absence very much
regret. l believe am justified in bring
ing the matter up at this time, my mo-
tiyes In SO doing being absolutely beyond
criticism. =
To set the board of control right. IL
may be well to read briefly from its first
biennial report on the subject, pen
sions;" There is no class of employees to
whom the state Is so much indebted or
or whom so much is expected as the
FAITHFUL, patient, long-Serving nurse at
the above named institutions (insane hos
pitais and school for feeble-mindedl. and
when they have prepared themselves for
tne work by the required course OF study
and have faithfully and continuously serv-
ed the state for the number of years to
be fixed by law, they should retire upon
three-fourths pay, and for still longer
mainder of their natural lives This
course would solve the nurse problem for
these institutions, insure continuous and
therefore better, service as well as more
intelligent, humane and satisfactory care
OF inmates, and be an act of but simple
Justice to those devoting their lives to
the cause OF charity in the service of the
state"
Reward for Long Service r'es
From this 1t will be seen that the board
or controi never advocated the wholesale
pensioning of state employees generally. or
OF those employed at the institutions under
ITS control. hut simply Of those graduate
nurses at the four institutions named
who by long continued. faithful, satisfac-
tory service to the state. wearing out their
lives IN the cause Of humanity, should,
when. the infirmities of age prevent them
from longer earning. their livelihood, be
assured of pittance from the state they
nave served so, well, and so prevent them
In turn from becoming one OF its wards.