The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-02-27

in Stearns county, but the distance
between Sauk Centre and ST. Cloud
| is much greater than the distance be-
tween many other state institutions.
Railroad facilities evidently figured
largely in the decision Sauk Centre
is on the transcontinental line of
the Great Northern, having four pass
enger trains each way daily, two 81;
! them being fast trains The branch
line Of the Great Northern runs north
from here to Bemidji, connecting with
the Northern Pacific to the north
ern state boundary and to other
points. The Little Falls branch Of
the Northern Pacific crosses the Great
Nor hern here, giving easy access
from other points. Sauk Centre is in
close connection with the Twin Cities
and Duluth from which points large
number of inmates for the institu-
ton will come.
The move to establish separate
training school for girls apart from
the boys originated with the Fedora
ton of Women's Clubs of the state.
Red Wing has the state school and
put up hard and long continued
fight to have the girls retained there,
but the women won out. The law
enacted by the last legislature left it
with the Board of Control to select
location. Sites were offered by
different towns, the state being left
free to purchase Or accept the same
free from the towns desiring to have
the institution When Red Wing
found that she was checkmated III the
move to have but one institution she
got into the contest with an offer OF
a site four miles from the one where
the present institution is located. The
final vote on the question by the
Board of Control shows that Sauk
Centre was distinctly in the race from
the start.
The last Legislature made an ap-
preparation OF $4,000 for preliminary
work This money will he spent here
this year, thereby giving employment
to a good many men. This Will he
followed up by a larger appropria-
ton next winter and some time next
wear the institution will probably be
running to some extent. 1t is under
stood that the cottage plan will be
followed in the buildings instead of
having one large building. Sank
Centre offers enough land-165 acres
to insure plenty for cultivation,
Light gardening and horticulture will
bepart of the work of the inmates OF
the institution.
Immediate steps will be taken by
the city to fully comply with the con-
ditions of the committees offer and
within the next few weeks the con-
tract will be closed up and work will
begin.
| Since the above was written the
following published account relating
to the award has appeared. 1t is in
teresting as showing the attitude OF
Mr.. Leavett. Here it is:
"The selection of Sauk Centre as
the site for the new girls training
school by the State Board of Contro
is accounted for by one of the mem.
bers of the democratic majority thai
Mr.. Leavett forced it. This man
says Mr.. Leavett demanded show
down.
From all accounts, action had beef
deferred because L. A. Rosing, of the
board, had not visited all of the site!
offered, among them being Elbow
Lake and Cambridge. Friday Mr.
Leavett protested against further de
lay and forced the matter to a con
clusion
"Mr. Ringdahl offered Sauk Centr'
as having the best advantages ant
without further comment, Mr.. Rosins
voted with him on it's selection. Thes'
two members say the location is ideal
but offer 10 other explanation for thu
rejection of the other sites.
1T was talked about the caplto