Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-06
STATE DEBT IS DECREASING
Hundred and Thirteen Thousand Dollars
Paid OF Last Month.
PRosAsLY REACH HALF MILLION IN YEAR
Treasurer MOrtensen Endorses stand
of Governor Mickey in the
Matter OF Removal OF Nor
folk Asylum Omcials.

LINCOLN, July b.-tSpecial )-DurinE the
month State Treasurer Mortensen decreased
the state debt SllS,6sO making a total re-
duction of S4g4. .4S7 since January /. During
June there was registered warrants to the
amount Of SlOS,0T3 and there was paid on
registered warrants to the amount Of S2z1,-
7Os II is likely there will be little paid
on the debt between now and January l.
but Mr.. Mortensen expects to make a total
decrease OF much more than $4,000 for the
year.
MOrtensen with Mickey.
State Treasurer Peter Mortensen has pub
licly endorsed the stand Of Governor Mickey
In demanding the resignation of Superin-
tendent Alden and Assistant Nicholson OF
the Norfolk asylum and in letter mailed
TO the governor today, he recommends
further that the authorities Of Madison
county prosecute crminally those attend
ants said to be implicated in the death of
patients. Mr.. Mortensen was a member of
the board of public lands and buildings,
which Investigated the charges against the
two officials The letter, which was written
for publication, is as follows:
As pertinent to the Norfolk asylum sltu-
alton permit me to say that our legislature
makes ample appropriations and our people
cheerfully provide for the maintenance,
comfort and care OF the unfortunate wards
in our hospitals, and demand OF YOU, gov
ernor, that the management of these In
stitutions be intrusted to men OF adInnls-
trative ability, competent in their special
line or profession-men morally and men
tally strong. They should be able to COM
mand the respect and confidence Of their
subordinates and through them to keep in
close touch with each individual patient
and by humane and kind treatment win the
| trust and esteem of the inmates insofar as
their mental condition will permit them
That the MANAGEMENT Of the Norfolk hos
| pital has failed in a number of these es-
| sential requirements is clearly Indicated by
| investigation held by the Board Of Public
| Lands and Buildings and partially re-
| hected by the findings of said board sub
mitted to you. In my individual capacity
can only commend you, governor, for
| the flrm stand you have taken in favor OF
a change in the administration OF said hos
pital as exemplifled by your prompt de-
mand for the designations Of the chief Of
| hcials. Such demand is not only within
| the limit of your authority as our CHIEF
in the line of your duty, and will further
add that criminal proceedings ought to be
instituted by the authorities of Madison
county against those attendants at the
hospital who are manifestly guilty OF
| wantOn cruelty.
contempt. which disapproval, think. ust
be shared by every disinterested citizen Of
our state. of the endeavor of the officers TO
retain their positions contrary to your de-
mand for their removal and to the best
| interests Of the institution and the state.
for enforcing your demand, public opinion
and the dignity of the state require their
prompt application without waiting for the
slow process OF the law. I