The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-09
THE OTHER SIDE

THE OTHER SIDE
Earnest adjurations, not without
basis of reason, are made to the friends
of the state public school at Owatonna
and the institutions at Faribault to
join with the friends of the university
and the normal schools in excepting
these latter from the Jurisdiction of the
board of control 1t is said that these
educational institutions ought to be
freed from their intoIerable position. 1t
is said that il the friends of the other
institutions join forces with them this
can be done. 1t is said that this will
be a public SERVICE, to be rewarded
later on by placing these other institu-
lions also, in their turn and at some
convenient season. on the basis Of
their old and proper independence. All
OF which may have an element OF truth
in it, but is preposterously negiectful
of average human nature.
Let us look at the other side a mo-
ment What is to hinder the friends of
the university and the normal schools
from coming at the same time to the
rescue Of the Faribault schools and the
school at Owatonna? II they want
help, why should they not give 1t? II
they have discovered. as they have, the
improperly and the injury OF jurisdic-
ton by the board OF control, why
should they not extend a helping hand
to those whose aid they beg? Is it not
a strange and inconsistent and indie
feasible position to ask a man who is
standing knee deep with you in a bog
to pull you out and set you on the
bank with the understanding that, al
though you could just as easily help
him out in turn and at the same time,
you shall not do so, but go home
change your clothes and sit down with
a comfortable pipe to consider when
you shall go back and rescue your
miserable, shivering companion?
The argument cuts both ways. The
Republican party has not the courage
or the honesty to abolish the board of
control. 1t is its own creature. made
for political purposes. constituted for
its single inevitable end of debasing
the great correctional, charitable and
educational institutions of this state in
order that patronage may abound for
the Republican party. The real friends
Of all these institutions are up in arms
against the system whose iniquity is
now beginning to be felt. The real
friends of each Of them, We may add,
are ready to help the others; but the
partisan tie is strong, and a certain
number Of people are moved by shame
to save the university and possibly the
normal schools, while they are unwiII-
ing to give up the petty plumber which
may be filched from the more helpless
Institutions that care for the poor, the
deaf and dumb, the blind and the de-
fective.
We confess to a feeling that all
should share the same fate. In common
fairness let those who want aid give
aid. Be honest about it, Give up your
nasty little hold on the patronage of
public institutions, and take them all
out from under the board of control.
There is at least consistency in the
position of those who would leave all
OF them in the plight that they now
find themselves. There is consistency
in the position of those who would
help and save them all. There seems
to be special meanness in the attitude
Of those who would select favorites for
rescue and leave the weaker to suffer
indefinitely.