The Appeal. [volume], July 19, 1902, Image 3

About The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
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Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: I am
profoundly grateful for the distinguished
honor conferred upon me by the repre
Bentatives of the Republican party of
Minnesota in convention assembled. For
two years I have ndeavored, as chief
executive, to serve the people of our
state to the best of my ability, and to
have performed the duties of that posi
tion in such a manner as to meet with
your approbation Is most gratifying.
At this time it will not be inappropriate
to discuss the laiuea involved in the com
ing campaign and to examine our past
record. The Republican party was called
into
existence during tumultuous times.
has met every issue presented and set
tled it, and ecttled it properly. Slavery
and disunion threatened the life of our
government -uiih 'Lincoln, our first Re
publican presulant, at the helm, the na
tion passed that danger without ship
wreck. Slavery WAS Abolished and the
Union was saved. The dangers of the
reconstruction pariod were met and mas
tered, and polygamy, an evil that long
disgraced us, was 3\vept away forever.
The repudiation of the debt incurred in
the war of the Rebellion was avoided and
every obligation was paid, dollar for dol
lar. The greenback craze was success
fully resisted, and under the wise direc
tion of tliat able financier, John Sherman,
and in the face of lierce opposition, and
while the whole world doubted, we re
Burned specie payments. And better than
this even, with the aid of the sound
money Democrats the free silver fallacy
went down to everlasting defeat and the
gold standard was established. As soon
as we were restored to power, in 1897,
we inaugurated policies which brought
the country from the deepest gloom to
the greatest prosperity. With a sound
financial system and protection to our
home industries we have now arrived at
the golden age of American progress. In
fact, with tne adoption of our policies
we have made the industrial conquest of
the globe. We have placed another
bright star in our diadem. While the
lamented and beloved McKinley was our
chief executive we determined no longer
to permit the Spaniard to oppress the
people of Cuba. Our president, supported
by all parties and by the matchless valor
of our soldiers and sailors, in one hun
dred days not only freed Cuba and drove
the Spaniard from the continent forever,
but gave greater liberty to millions across
the seas.* On the twentieth of May last
a new republic was born and the na
tion's plighted faith was kept. Our party
not only promises but performs, tuba
is not only our sister republic, but in a
measure our ward, and I am sure tuat
,0"r
tectlon
XZ. "S
great government, will deal justly-AncL cents per poundd more than they coul
liberally by her and we should declare
as our policy, "Woe unto the nation that
would attempt to injure or destroy this
young republic.".. With such a party in
power there need -be no fear that the
people of Porto Rico or of the Philip
pine islands will be oppressed, for every
man who claims the protection of our
flag will have every right guaranteed
him. I have no patience with the as
saults made upon our army in the *....p-
pines it has performed its dutv there
and should be commended, not censured.
There may have been atrocities commit
ted, but not more than usually result
from war. The American soldier needs
no apology. The people will stand by
him for he has ever been the hope and
the safety of the nation. We have never
had to depend upon hired help to defend
the flag, 'for the American soldier has
ever been ready to stand as a supporting
column for the Stars and Stripes. While
this record is one to be proud of, we
should not be satisfied with our past
glories, great as they are, but should
meet the live questions of the day. The
party of progress should not become the
Bourbon party. We should not be satis
fied to let well enough alone if we can
better our condition. Growth is as es
sential to a party as to an Individual or
a nation. By reason, of the industrial
conquest mentioned a moment ago, new
problems have arisen and new questions
have to be solved. Will the party be
equal to the emergency?
While a Arm believer in the principle
I also believe that our
tariff laws should be revised. They should
be changed to meet the new conditions
and any schedule not needed to protect
our own people against foreign compe
tition, or not required for raising the
necessary revenue for the purpose of ad
ministering the affairs of the govern
ment, should be largely reduced, or re
moved altogether. How much better this
revisionr
the
partye
of protection than
by enemy, th Democrati party a
lhe Democratic party has been tried.
It made a miserable failure. Is our
memory so short that we can forget the
evils resulting from 189&1897, when that
party was in possession of all branches
of the government? This was indeed
the darkest period in our history. Closed
factories, smokeless chimneys, idle men'
misery and want the common lot of all
Let us profit by the terrible lesson and
perform this work ourselves. In this way
It can be accomplished harm to
our businessLTinterests and without a
S i,
to
industriawithout system. W
ov
Should also favor reciprocity. We must
not only maintain our. present market,
but we must find new ones. We cannot
nope to always sell and never buy.
pursuing such a policy we follow the
footsteps of the great modern leaders of
our party, Blaine, McKinley and Roose
velt.
I will not further discuss national is
sues as they have been so ably and fully
presented by our distinguished senior sen
ator, Hon. Knute Nelson.
For the term of forty years our party
has been practically control of ail
branches of our state government. So
It can be said that all laws upon our
statute books during that period were
passed by Republican legislatures or
signed by Republican governors. Among
those that have resulted in great benefit
to the people might be mentioned: Laws
for the inspection of grain, laws for the
supervision and control of the railroads
and for the establishment and control of
the commission, the laws creating the
board of_G.ualization, taxing corporations
drainage, and others.
It can be truthfully stated that there
has not been a beneficent, legislative or
official act in the interest of the people
that did not have its urigin in and that
was not enacted into law by the Repub
lican party or those chosen to repre
sent It.
Our great growth and development as a
state is so interwoven with the history
of the Republican party that one cannot
be separated from the other.
FINANCES.
The finances of the state are in a most
excellent condition. After the recent Ohio
Republican state convention one of the
reasons urged for continuing that party
In power was that under its wise man
agement the credit of the state was so
food that it could negotiate its bonds at
per cent. That is indeed a fine show'
Ing But look at Minnesota! Our party
baa, managed so well that we do not have
GOV. VAN SANT'S
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
THE GOVERNOR ABLY DISCUSSES THE ISSUES OF THE COMING CAMPAIGN
BEFORE THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION.
History of the Party ReviewedReciprocity Advocated as
Being in Keeping With Its TraditionsThe Excellent Financial
Condition of the State and the Reduction of the Price of Bind-
ing Twine This Year Due to the Sound Business Administra-
tion of the Republican Party-^-The Problem of Taxation
and the Merger Question Fully Discussed.
to borrow at all and we are able to
build a $3,000,000 capitol without incur
ring $1 of bonded indeotedness. On the
other hand, we have, more than $8,000,000
of the bonds of other states in our strong
box and all that we have to do to secure
the interest is to cut off the coupons.
But more valuable than the bonds, even,
is the sum of $7,000,000 due on state
lands, from counties, cities and town
ships. I say more valuable because the
security is better than any state bond,
and the rate of interest higher. The
amount loaned since Jan. 1, 1901, is in
excess of $1,250,000. Would you preserve
this credit? If so, keep the Republican
party in power.
THE STATE PRISON AND BINDING
TWINE PLANT.
During the last campaign the manage
ment of the state prison, especially in
connection with the binding twine plant,
was constantly under discussion. It was
claimed by our party that it was grossly
mismanaged, and we promised, if given
the opportunity, to remedy the evils and
place the institution in the same excel
lent condition in whicn our political ene
mies found it.
Upon investigation it was found that
unfavorable conditions existed in the
management, and also that the year's
business, then Just closed, had not only
resulted in a loss to the state, but that
the manner in which the business hai
been carried on had proven very unsatis
factory.
DEMOCRATIC MANAGEMENT.
The principal complaints against^the
Democratic management of the state
prison, and especially the twine plant,
briefly stated, were as follows:
The prison" twine was sold to the farm*
ers in 1!H)0 (the only year that the Demo
crats had full charge of the prison) at
10 cents per pound. This price being 2
or 3 cents per pound higher than tney
could have bought their twine for from
local dealers.
The Democratic management did not
guarantee prices, as former administra
tions had always done, or as the present
prison management is doing and did do
both last season and this season. This
being the case, the optionof canceling an
order and the price guaranty being cut
off, they were obliged to take the twine
whether they had any crops to bind or
not.
Much of-the-twine made was inferior in
quality, short in length, uneven, bunchy
and overloaded with oil.
In the operation of the twine plant dur
ing the season of 190O (the Democratic
year) the management of the prison twine
plant was not only a detriment to the
actual purchasers of the twine, in thLt
they were oblige to pay at least 2 or 3
have bought^ft-fer^elsewhere trotti local
dealers, burif was a damage to all other
consumers of twine throughout the state
for the reason that instead of tending to
regulate or lower the prices by coming
into active competition with independent
cordage manufacturers it kept prices up
and made them even higher.
The state also lost money under thg
Democratic administration of 1900 by the
purchase of a. large amount of high-priced
fiber at the closing period of that season,
which had to be carried
ove.r
factured the following-
and manu-
year
The discipline of the institution, as- af-
fecting both officers and prisoners, was in
a deplorable condition and gradually
growing worse. This was clearly evi
denced by the discovery of a plot on the
part of two officers of the prison to as
sist a long-term convict to escape from
the institution. The discovery of thi3 plot
having been made within three days after
Warden Wolfer was reappointed. The
officers were"arrested and both convicted
of the crime, one sentenced to the state
reformatory and the other to pay a
heavy fine.
The sale of the binding twine to con
sumers of that product in the state by
the Democratic management in 1900,-
which amounted to something over 5,000,-
000 pdunds, cost the farmers over $100,000
more than they would have been obligefi
to pay had they purchased the same
grade of twine from their local dealers
at the same time, the twine purchased
was inferior in both grade and quality.
The complaints as to the management
of the twine plant under Democratic rule
came from some of the best farmers
throughout the state, and these com
plaints were general, regardless of party
or party affiliations viz: That the prices
were too high that they were not allowed
to cancel their orders when crops failed
that the twine was inferior in grade and
quality, that they were obliged to take it
and pay fori it whether they could use it
or not that the twine plant instead of
-being a benefit to the farmers of the
state, as managed, was a positive detri
ment to them.
REPUBLICAN MANAGEMENT.
I succeeded in making such changes in
the board of managers as to secure the
reappointment of Warden Wolfer to that
position on March 1, 1901, but there had
already been considerable twine manu
factured. Much of the twine made and
in store was found upon examination to
he inferior in quality. It was also found
that there was about, $30,000 in notes,
taken by the former administration,
which fell due in the preceding November,
still uncollected.
The new management set about to rem
edy some of the evils of its predecessors,
and these were overcome as expeditiously
as possible, although some df the poor
twine manufactured at the beginning,of
last season, or up to March 1, 1901, when
the- new warden took charge, together
with the reputation made the preceding
year, made it very difficult to dispose of
last season's product, and in order to.dis
pose of the twine and effect a clearance
of the entire output Warden Wolfer was
obliged to hire a large number of travel
ing salesmen. It was all sold, however,
and the twine gave general satisfaction,
except the poor twine that was made at
the beginning of the season, just referred
to, or before the change took place.
GREAT SAVING TO THE FARMERS!
There was manufactured in the season
of 1901, something over 5,500,000 pounds
of which 3,390.000 pounds were sold to
the farmers of the state, and 2,280,000
pounds were sold to the dealers at the
following prices, viz: 6% cents per pound
for sisal and standard 8 cents p.-r
pound for mixed twine, and" 9 1-4 cents
per pound for pure Manila an average
of about 2 cents per oound below the
prices at which twine of equal grade ?nd
quality was sold by the jobbers and man
ufacturers to the dealers of the state
which would onake an actual saving of
over $1,000,000 to the consumers of the
state by the purchase of prison twine
The competition coused by sale of the
state prison twine at these figures also
tended to lower the Drices of twine sold
in the state by others manufacturers,
which resulted in a benefit to the con
sumers of binding twine in the state *?en-
crally.
The profit on binding twine last season
amounted in round" numbers to $333,000
This was a clear profit after all expenses
had been borne incident to the conduct of
the twine plant.
SHOWING THIS TEAR IN FAVOR OF
FARMERS BETTER THAN LAST
SEASON.
The manufacture of binding twine for
the season of 1902, which is now nearly
closed, will show better results than the
preceding season. Amount manufactured,
5.o00,000 pounds, of which over 4,000,000
pounds are sold to the farmers of the
state and 1/500,000 pounds to the dealers,
at the following prices, viz: 9% cents per
pound for standard and sisal, 11% cents
per pound for mixed twine, and 12 1-4 per
pound for pure Manila.
The above prices at which the state
prison twine was sold are 2 1-4 cents per
pound cheaper than the twine is being
sold by jobbers and manufacturers to
dealers of the state. This will prove an
actual saving in dollars and cents of at
least $150,000 to the farmers of Minne
sota who purchased prison twine the
present season.
This, however, is not the only saving.
All other consumers of twine that are
obliged to purchase from dealers and
other manufacturers will also be bene
efited in that the dealers are obliged to
meet the competition of the prison twine,
which has tended to regulate ahd lower
the price.
The average amount of twine consumed
the' State of Minnesota is about 18,-
000,000 pounds. I contend that the com
petitive or regulating tendency produced
by the sale of prison twine keeps down
the price on all the twine sold in this
state at least 1 cent per pound. If this
is so (and I believe it can be demon
strated) here is also a saving of $180,000
to this add the $150,000 saved to the con
sumers in the actual purchase price of the
prison twine the present season, and it
Shows a grand total of $330,000 for the
season of 1902.
Notwithstanding the high ruling prices
for both sisal and Manila fiber for the
last year, fiber was purchased at prices
that not only made it possible to sell the
binding twine for fully 21-4 cents per
pound under the ruling market price, but
it has at the same time made a clear
profit of over $40,000. This was made pos
sible by the warden going to Yucatan,
Mexico, to make contracts and final ar-j
rangements for the purchase of sisal
hemp direct from the hemp planters of
Yucatan through a local agent. This
move resulted very satisfactorily and has
been the means of making this year's
business much more profitable than it
otherwise would have been.
All of the protecting features to the
consumers put into practice last year,
and which were so noticeably absent or
refused during the Democratic adminis
tration, were also carefully followed out
this season, viz: Privilege to cancel or
ders any time before shipment is made
prices guaranteed quality of twine guar
anteed #rades of twine guaranteed both
as to length and quality of fiber
BRIEF HISTORY OF TWINE PLANT
FROM BEGINNING.
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars
was originally provided by the state leg
islature as a revolving fund for carrying
on the twine plant. No other appropria
tions have since been made except such
as were necessary to buy new machinery
to increase the caoaclty of the twine
plant from time toe time.
Under-Republican management the re
XSJV1/SS
-^^..X.^-Sy!
GOV. VAN SANT.
from $150,00 0 to
r
fun
ha
5600,000, and has made money every year
from the time of its establishment down
to the present, except in the year 1900
under -Democratic rule.
Behold the contrast! Under Democratic
management the state looses money. The
farmer who purchases the twine loses
money and has a noor quality of goods
while under Republican management the
state and farmer both make money and
the twine is of a superior quality.
This splendid showing has been accom
plished by placing at the head of the pris
on a thorough business man and one who
fully understands the duties required of
him Do the people of our state desire
to return to the unbusinesslike methods
of the former administration?
GRAIN INSPECTION.
Like the binding twine plant, the in
spection of grain entered largely into the
last state campaign. The party tempo
rarily in power made a lameritaole failure
of thisdepattment. The system of grain
inspection has been vastly improved. The
most capable inspectors are employed
and the grading is so uniform that few
complaints are made. In the wefghimr
department the closest supervision Is con-
Xi'^Wi'-^'.ff-1
stantly given and errors with the skilled
men are very rare^ The chief complaint
now is not that the inspection of the
grain is worthless, as during the former
administration, but that not enough men
are given employment. The policy has
been to conduct the business just as any.
successful bu
Sin
es concern would do
The efficiency and economical adminis
tration, ofthe grain department will equal
if not excel that of any administration in
the past.' And this in the face of the fact
that the capacity of the cars is rapidly
increasing, thereby enabling the shipper
to market the grain in a greatly reduced
number of cars, and no increase in the
inspection and weighing fee has been
made. One great and marked benefit ac
complished for the good of the shipper
of grain and the railroad companies haul
ing it, is the complete extermination of
the pilferer of grain from cars, which
practice had caused the loss of many
thousands of bushels of grain every year.
While this work had been undertaken
many times, it is conceded that the pres
ent management is the first to succeed in
wiping it out, and certainly due credit
should be given it. for eliminating this
evil. Not only has the promised improve
ment been made at home, but the service
has been so good that our grain sells in
all the markets of the world as graded
in Minnesota.
DAIRY AND FOOD DEPARTMENT.
The dairy and food department is one
of the most important, and under the
present commissioner and his inspectors
is doing most excellent work, and its
benefits to the farmers of Minnesota dur
ing the past eighteen months have been
invaluable. There are at present four
new creameries being, established each
week. The cheese industry is also in a
most flourishing condition. about twenty
five new factories were erected this
spring in all we have some 700 cream
eries and more than one hundred cheese
factories. The commissioner and his in
spectors have made hundreds of visits to
these places and attended most of the
state, district and county dairy conven
tions and gatherings, and have given
valuable information and instructions to
those engaged in this line of work.*
It is a pleasure to state that the dairy
and food department has done its full
share towards accomplishing this result.
The dairy interest has added materially
to the wealth of the agricultural classes,
and now annually yields them almost, if
not quite, $20,000,000. Let me give you
some idea of the work during this ad
ministration: In the laboratory depart
ment there* have been, in order to ascer
tain whether articles of food and drink
were up to the standard required by law,
10,410 analyses made. In addition the re
sult has been forwarded to the person
for whom the respective analysis in each
case was'Tequested, or the merchant from
whom the article was taken by the in
spectors. Another feature of the work,,
and one most unpleasant, was that of
making prosecutions for violation of the
law. There were 320 in all. The prose
cutions and fines were kept to the lowest
possible point in connection with the
public good. Whenever the health and
interest of the people could be secured
without prosecution it was the policy of
the department to do this, but at no time
has a guilty offender been allowed to
escape.
Again, the home manufacturers' and
producers' interests'have been carefully
protected by excluding as far as possible
outside goods that were found impure,
and those sending them into the state
have been made to feel the strong arm
of Minnesota's pure food laws.
Furthermore, the department put forth
every effort to make our butter exhibit-at
the Pan-American exposition worthy our
spiendid state, and in that work gave
just reason for- praise. Not only this,
put,it has also conducted an educational
nutter test for twelve months that not
only has given Minnesota butter greater
fame, but has proven of invaluable bene
fit tto our buttermakers.
It is owing largely-.to.the splendid work
oi this department that we are known
not only as the great wheat-producing
state, but as the great bread and butter
state of the Union.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
The affairs of the insurance department
has been conducted in a painstaking,
careful and vigorous manner, every effort
being made to protect the citizens of the
statey against the of
cia Ji
^responsiblemanipulations and "wild cat ofinan-
*n
hthe A
source 6f pride to every1
largest ever known, and when-
protection1
un-
authorized insurance companies. No ef
fort has been spared to secure, a strict
compliance with the laws. A vigorous
campaign conducted by the present com
missioner has resulted in debarring from
the state many of this class of institu
tions, while many others have been
placed in the hands of receivers, there
by subserving to the fullest extent pos
sible under the statutes, the interests of
the citizens of this state.
The recognized ability with which the
affairs of the department have been con
ducted has placed the State of Minnesota
among the first in importance of the lead
ing states of the Union in the matter of
insurance supervision.
There has0*been collected and turne
into state treasury since Jan. 1, 1901,
lni
tai8'and fees more,thad
wa
HoO.000 exceeding the receipts of any
like previous period by. many thousands
of dollars.
All laws prohibiting combinations in
any way deterimental to the interests of
our citizens, have been rigidly enforced
In his annual report of the present year
the commissioner publishes a list of
thirty-five so-called "wild cat" insurance
concerns which are not worthy of pat
ronage, and advises that any parties
aiding, either directly or indirectly, in the
securing or placing of business with said
unauthorized companies would be subject
to heavy penalties.
Attention is also cited to the fact that
the farmers' township mutuals of Mmne
sota have been conducted in a most emi
nently successful and profitable manner
the farmers of the state, and that the
same desire the greatest consideration,*
not alone for the yery large number or
policy holders or members,* amount
to nearly one hundred thousand, but also
on account of the thoroughly honest,
conscientious and conservative* manage-
"S*
a
mal
haS wH
1
hi
?S''?*:'^.I^^^^v3
companies has been the means of Savins
to the farmers of Minnesota the enor
mous sum of $12,000,000 since the enact
ment of the statute .permitting and au
thorizing their organization.
i SCHOOLS.
We. have a school fund that
shouldf
measure to the voters of our state
e-vhich character *....o*-the
istic of their business transactions. It our stat provides that,
Is estimated'that the existence of these
Any law providing for the
S- i^^'* ^'%^l'-,
be a
the
im
provements now making at the hatcher
are completed, facilities for doing this
work will be fully twice as great as they
are now. When we consider as an asset
the value of the game and fish of Minne
sota, amounting as it does, to many mil
lions of dollars, we deem it but just to
commend the splendid work of the com
mision.
BUREAU OF LABOR.
On" our statute bdoks are some of the
very best labor laws. Our state received
one of the five medals that were awarded
as first prizes at the Paris exposition in
1900 for the best labor laws, and a diplo
ma from the proper authorities of tnat
exposition now hangs on the wall in th
office of the commissioner of labor at the
capitol, certifying to these facts. Among
the many labor laws that we can point
to with pride are those relating to chii-4
labor- -laws ^regulating the. edttcatioa,^wd. .and privileges to secure the blessings of
employment of children and prohibiting competition Tin" fact, the franchises o
the employment of children at dangerous
or in
immoralthoccupations
laws for the
of health, lives and limb a
pf the working people a general factory
Inspection law laws for the protection tff
railway, employes the eight-hour law,
and many others. The factory'inspectors
of this department during the year 1901
report inspection of 3,647 establishments,
employing 85,393 persons ^581 orders have
been issued for the protection and safe
guarding of machinery and for improving
the sanitary condition of the factories,
mills and workshops The inspectors of
this department have received special in
structions along the lines of the more ad
vanced scientific systems of .drainage and
ventilation. Hand in hand with inspec
tion has gone the collection of data re
lating to all departments of labor henc
wn find that the several new and special
investigations that this department ia
making into the conditions surrounding
wage-earners have been received with un
usual approval throughout the state, and
have attracted much attention in other
states of the Union. The bureau of labot
was created at the instance of tfte? labor
ing people, for the express purpose of en
forcing the laws that were then, or might
be hereafter, enacted for the protection
of the rights of the thousands who go tn
make up that, erreat army of useful citi
zens, the working people. It has been my
desire, and my Instructions to the com
missioner of labor have always been, to
s^e that the work of the bureau Jias been
administered for the purpose for which it
was created.
DRAINAGE.
By an act of the last legislature an ap
propriation of $50,000 was made for drain
age purposes. Pursuant to said act the
commission, composed of the governor,
the auditor and the secretary of state,
have taken the necessary steps to make
the same effective. Several ditches are
about completed, and all the others pos
sible under the appropriation are con
tracted for. The entire work will be com
pleted by the end of th- year. It is diffi
cult to measure the benefits derived from
these state ditches. Thousands of acres
of land belonging to both the state and
to settlers have been much improved and
have greatly increased in value, and much
waste land has been reclaimed. The peo
ple living in the section of state whew
drainage, has proved such a blessing have
reason to thank the Republican party for
inaugurating and continuing this work.
TAXATION.
Probably no subject which now con
fronts the people of our state elicits more
Interest and is of greater importance
than that of taxation, it is a matter ol
common knowledge that our tax laws arp
inefficient and that as a consequence a
very large percentage of taxable property
escapes the lists. While we all recognize
the fact that it is practically impossible
to frame a perfect coae of tax measures,
still we should strive to meet, as far aa
practicable, the primary purpose of tax
legislation, which is to place upon the
lists all property subject,to taxation, and
distribute the bmadens justly and equitab
ly. At the same time it is important ic
framing tax legislation to bear in mind
the great business interests which have
contributed to the building up of our
state and which make Minnesota one ol
the most conspicuous states of the Union
No legislation should be adopted which
will be unjust to these interests or hanv
per their prosperity. However, they
should respond to their fair share ol
taxation and thus assist in the main
tenance of the state as an equivalent for
the protection and benefits vouchsafed
them by the laws. At the last, session ol
our lesislature an appreciation of the fact
that constitutional limitations exists
which prevented the passage of necessary
and effective tax laws prompted that
body to provide for submission to the
people amendments to sections one two
and thrt* of article nine of our constitu
tion.
Without entering into a detailed discus
sion of the merits of-the proposed amend-.
ments, I desire to heartily
commendv
the'
an a
earnestly urge thp adoption thereof
At the np .t election there is also to be
submitted people of our state for
..heir appro-. or rejection a certain act
nass at the last general session cf our
legislature and commonly known as the
Kross earnirgs act The constitution of
Stf
SUPl^IiEMBNT TO
APPEAL.
Sf. PALL,
citizen our
state it now amounts to about $15,000,000
and it is estimated that when all the
school lands are sold it will reach the
vast sum of $30,000,000. By a wise pro
vision of the law only the interest can
be used, and annually about $500,000 is
secured in this way for educational pur
poses. The fund is to remain intact for
ever. We are indebted for this magnifi
cent fund to Hon. Alexander Ramsey,
Minnesota's first governor, more than to
any other man living or dead. He it was
who so carefully guarded the interests of
the people, and when land sharks and
speculators were about to defraud the
state he interposed'his veto. He is easily
t8e peer of any other man who ever oc
cupied the gubernatorial chair, and that is
a high compliment when it is remembered
that that position was once held by a
Davis, a Pillsbury and a Nejson. This
magnificent fund is a monument to the
wisdom and statesmanship of the men
who have controlled the Republican
party. Not only have we this large fund,
but our schools are unexcelled. Our great
university takes front rank with any
similar institution in the country, and our
school of agriculture is rearing a genera
tion of intelligent, thrifty and cultured
men and women for farm life. Our nor-'
mal and high schools are the very best.
The superintendent of public istruction
is making a special effort to promote and
make more^efficient the rural schools. This
is proper, for in these schools 80 per cent
of ourjchildren receive all the education
they will ever get to prepare them for
citizenship. These schools should be as
efficient as it is possible to make them.
BOARD OF CONTROL.
The board of control will, I am led to
believe, make a most excellent showing
when its annual report is presented to the
public. It has had many difficulties to
meet and many prejudices to overcome.
in our state there have been no prece
dents to guide it. The road was a new
one. The greatest source of trouble has
been when there have been two boards
endearvoring to manage the same institu
tions. In such cases there is always a
conflict, for it is difficult to ascertain
where the authority of the one ceases and
that of the other begins. This should be
remedied. In my judgment the educa
tional institutions should not have been
placed under its management it was not
the intention of those originally favoring
a board of control plan. It is not for the
best interests of the schools, and besides,
the board has not the time to do the ex
tra work which this entails upon it. Tho
next legislature should amend the bill in
this respect, and no doubt other changes
will need to be made from time to time.
The board of control, in my judgment,
will grow in public favor.
GAME AND FISH.
Public sentiment in our state favors
game and fish protection, and the com-'
mission has the earnest and hearty co
opertion of the people this year as never
before. This is especially true of the
farmers. All see the necessity of pre
serving this valuable spurce of food sup
ply. Our sportsmen, too, ably second
every effort made in this direction. Thaf
the board is doing most excellent work
is evidenced by the fines collected for the
violation of the laws said fines being
nearly double those collected during the
same time by its immediate predecessor.
The same is true with reference to th*
amount received from the confiscation of
game and fish. The distribution of fish to
replenish our streams and
lakesthis
II\\.
Saturday, July 12th, 1902
amendment of any law or laws en
acted in this, state or which may
be
hereaftetaxes organizedassessments
fll
shall, in lieu of
other and upon
their real estate, roads, rolling stock and
othe^ personal property pay into
the treasury of this state' a certain per
centage- therein mentioned of the gross
earnings of such railroad companies
shall, before the* same shall tak
effeet and be force, be submitted
to a vote of the people of the state and
be adopted and ratified by a majority of
the electors of the state voting at th
election at which the same shall be sub*
mitted to them."
Under existing laws the railroad corn
panics of this state pay into the state*
treasury, in lieu of direct taxes, 3 per/
cent oi. their gross earnings. After .thor
ough discussion and mature deliberation
tno legislature passed the act above re
ferred, to. which provides that the exist
ing law shall be so amended that the rail
road companies of this state shall pay
into the state treasury in lieu of direct
taxation 4 p*r cent of their gross earn
ings instead of 3 per cent, as now ex
acted.
The reason for the enactment was the
belief that the railroad companies under
the 3 per cent gross earnings law were
not paying their fair share toward the
maintenance of the state in other words,
that under the gross earnings system con
siderably less was received from the rail
road companies than would be received If
their properties were subjected to dlrecfr
taxation.
I urge the people of our state to care
fully and fairly consider the question*
presented, which is, shall the railroad"
companies of our state pay, in lieu of dl
rept taxation, 4 per cent of their gross
earnings instead of 3 per cent, as pro
vided in the existing laws.
The modern tendency is that revenue*
should be raised for the-state otherwise*
than by a direct levy on real estate an*'
personal property. If these amendment*
carry a long step in that direction might
be taken. It would then be possible to
place upon our statute books many ta*
measures of vast benefit to the people.
The matter is of so much importance tq.
the welfare of the state that I earnestly
urge every voter to bear in mind on eleo
tion day the obligation of voting for the
proposed amendments.
I will not close without calling your at
tention to a question of the very greatest
importance to the people of our state. I
refer to the threatened consolidation of
the Northern Pacific and Great Northera
Railway companies. To this end th
Northern Securities company of New Jer
sey was organized to acquire a control
ling amount of the stock of said railroad
companies in exchange for its own stock,
and it was through this company that
the unity of management was to be ef
fected.
The matter was deemed of such vital
importance that immediate action was
taken to prevent the consolidation of
these companies. With that object in
view Attorney General Douglas was re
quested to bring suit in the name of th
state to prevent the proposed consolida
tion. That such consolidation is against
the law is shown by reference to our
statutes. (See sections 2716, 2717). The
best interests of our people not only re
quire but demand free, open and un
restricted competition for the transporta
tion of the products of our farms, fac
tories, mills and mines. It was with this
idea in view that our legislature years
ago passed laws prohibiting in any wayr
the consolidation of parallel and com
peting lines of railway within our state.
These laws have not only been held to bs
constitutional by the supreme court of
the United States, but they also declars
a wise public policy. The determination,
to bring this suit was not entered lnt
with.any spirit of hostility toward rail
road companies. Our state has dealt
liberally with them and has deeded to ths
various railroad companies more than
10,500,000 acres of land, or more than is:
under cultivation by our entire agricul
tural population. In. view of this and
many other privileges it is but just to
demand that these companies should obey
our laws. Minnesota granted these lands-
these parallel and competing lines were*
obtained upon the implied understanding
that they would be operated independent
ly. The area of the United States, In
cluding Alaska, is about 3,000,000 squars
miles. The area of the states traversed*
by the Northern Pacific and Great North
ern railroads is about 600,000 squara
miles, or one-fifth the area of the Unite*
States, it is only necessary to study]
these figures to see the great importanc
of this question. Undoubtedly a ver*
large portion of the commerce of th
world will be transferred from the At*
lantic to the Pacific ocean. The trade of
the Orient is in its infancy. The possibili
ties can scarcely be estimated. I belisvs
that that section of the globe will be sup
plied from the products of the North-westf.
in fact, we have begun to reap the ben
efits of the Far Eastern trade as a mar
ket for our surplus wheat and flour. Thi.
question was deemed of so much import
ance to the entire Northwest, and realis
ing that the fight would be one of gigantte
proportions and that our state would need
all the help that could be secured a con
ference of governors and attorneys gen
eral was called to me'et at Helena, Mont,
The result of that conference was har
mony throughout, and resolutions wer
unanimously passed in opposition to salft
threatened consolidation, and promising
support in our endeavors to prevent it.
All realized that the destruction of com
petition that had so benefited these statas
in the past would be most injurious.
The supreme court of the United States
for certain reasons refused jurisdiction la
the case brought by the State of Minne
sota, but this did not discourage the At*
torney General and his associate counsel,
and suit was commenced in the stats
courts.
I do not believe that a corporation or
ganized in New Jersey can be lawfully
used to violate the laws of the sovereign
State of Minnesota and thwart the wilf'
pf the people so plainly expressed in bet
statutes.
Owing to objections not involving th
merits, our state was not so fortunate 11
the supreme court as was the State of
Washington that state has a case noij
pending similar to ours, in the Unites
States supreme court, and Attorney Gett*
eral Douglas has been retained as asso*
oiate counsel.
The attempt of the Northern Securities
company to control these properties it
not only in violation of the laws of thll
state and the other states in which the*
operate, but the United States a* well
Attorney General Knox is .quoted as say
ing:
"Some time ago the president request*
ed an opinion as to the legality of th!*
measure, and I have recently given hir*
one to the effect that In my judgment li
violates the provisions of the ShermM
act of 1890. Whereupon he directed ths*
suitable action should be brought to have
the question finally judicially decided.**
I congratulate the people of our state,
of the Northwest and of the entire count
try, upon the fact that we have In tht
presidential chair a man who fearlessly
endeavoring to execute the laws. Hs 1*
as brave in peace as he was heroio if
war, and for his courageous course w#
should pledge, him our active and earnest
support.
It is our determination to press thi*
action until finally decided by the court
of highest jurisdiction^ the supreme court'
of the United States.
In conclusion I take pleasure tat statins
that, every state officer, and every depsiv
ment of the state government, has pen.
dercd me most valuable aid during th*
pa3t two years, and whatever success hat
attended this administration is due lares*
ly to their loyal support and efficient'
help.
Our state is to be congratulated tos
upon the fact that it is so ably represent*
ed at Washington. Our senators and rep
resentatives are the peers of any. holding*
similar positions at the national capitolT
and it is a pleasure to testify to the fact*
that they have at all times rendered m
most valuable assistance when transact
ing business for* the state with the na
tional! government.
i Gentlemen of the convention, If you*
action is ratified at the polls in Novem
ber, I promise you and the people of
Minnesota to execute the laws to the best
pf my aldlfty, and to perform all duties
ineumbent ripon me without fear or favor