The Saint Paul globe., 1904-11-02

AT the quarterly meeting of the SUI
, perintendents of the state institutions.
held 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.
Il. Jacobson, Of the board of control,
took strong ground against the pro-
posed plan Of pensioning employees of
the state in its state institutions.
). 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. Leavett 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 adj
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 ,.,. ~
The question of whether certain state
employees should be pensioned, after a GER
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
lar 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-
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
which is unimportant except in SO far as
IT has injured a good cause that. like all
otner public questions, has two sides to il:
ana. as well, misrepresented the position
Of the board Of control, and 1 believe.
mary, If not all. OF you gentlemen, as to
our position on this question.
was not present at the former dis
ness matters, which absence very much
regret. / believe / am justified in bring
ing the matter up at this time, my mo-
tlyes In so doing being absolutely beyond
criticism.
To set the board of control right, II
may be Wen 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
OF whom SO much is expected, as the
faithful. patient long-serving nurse at
the above named institutions (insane hos
pitals and school for feeble-minded). and
when they have prepared themselves for
the work by the required course of study
ana nave faithfully and continuously sery-
ed the state for the number OF years to
De liked by law, they should retire upon
three-fourthS pay, and for a still longer
time of service upon full pay for the Te--
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
From this II will be seen that the board
or control never advocated the wholesale
pensioning of state employees generally, or
OF those employed at the institutions under
ITS control. but simply of those graduate.
nurses at the four institutions named
who by long continued. faithful, satisfac-
tory service to the state. wearing out their
llveS 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
have served so well, and so prevent them
In turn from becoming one of it's wards.