Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, September 15, 1900, Page 7

SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD-REVIEW Grand Rapids, Minn. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1900. Nebraska and the two Dakotas, in the year 1899 produced Minnesota— __Bushels. Tarm value. Wheat .... ..€8,000,000 $37,000,000 Corn .... ....31,000,000 7,000,000 lowa— Wheat + ,.+ 18,000,000 10,000,000 Corn .. 55,000,000 South ota— Wheat .... .. 37,000,000 18,000,000 North Dakota— Wheat .... .. 51,000,000 26,0c0,000 Wisconsin— Wheat .. . + 11,000,000 7,000,000 Nebraska— Wheat 20,090,000 10,000,000 Corn .. 224,000,000 51,000,000 The total value of the crops named of all these states for last year was only $221,000,000, less than we are paying an- nually for our army and naval establish- ments under the imperial regime. The entire amount expended for edu- cation in the United States for the year 1898, which is the last year for which I have authentic figures was $189,000,000. Our average consumption of wheat is less than five bushels per capita. As- suming our population to be 75,000,000, our consumption of wheat would be 375,000,000 bushels. At the average farm price, which does not exceed 60 cents, the cost of the nation’s bread is $225,000,000, the same sum that we pay for our army and navy. When the peo- ple find that they are paying more for the instrumentalities of war than they are for education and as much as for bread, will they not conclude that it is time to weigh carefully the merits of imperialism, before taking the final step and fastening it upon our country? The same interests that prompted the formation of trusts in industry, that ad- vocate the establishment of a colonial system and the maintenance of a large litary establishment, have induced the Republican party to surrender to them the country’s finances. Garfield said that he who controlled a country’s volume of money controlled its trade and in- y the legislation of the last hich, finally turned over the mental function of issuing paper to the national banks, those fa- ed institutions have obtained com- control of our finances and our It is in their power to suffer good times or to produce a panic. hey can pursue either course as suits 1 caprice or interest. No other country on earth has committed such power to private hands. We believe that the issuance of money is a governmen- tal function and should not be delegated to private corporations. We believe that the coinage of both silver and gold as standard money and as a basis for credit would insure greater stability in prices and more equal justice between borrower and lender and all interests; but the people by their representatives have adopted the gold standard and the complexion of the senate is such that however this election may turn, there is NOT THE REMOTEST POSSIBIL- ITY that this can be disturbed during the next administration. Hence it is of no profit to discuss that question at this time. I repeat, as I said two years ago, the gold standard is on trial. If by rea- son of an increase in the output of gold, or for other cause, that metal alone shail prove sufficient in quantity adequately | to perform the functions of standard money, and as the basis of credit, then we are all satisfied. If it fails in that regard, our people will not be the only nation to discover it, and the question | of standard will then be adjusted in due season, as other economic questions have been adjusted from time to time in the past. It is, after all, only an eco- omic question, and as such, whether set- tled rightly or wrongly, cannot mater- ially affect our institutions. Economic questions in the nature of things are only relatively right or wrong. They are not like the questions that go to the very core of our institutions and to the form of our government. This is illus- trated by the tariff question. During the history of our country we have had free trade, and we have had extreme protection. Now, one or the other of those policies, in the nature of things, must be right or wrong. They cannot both be right in the same country un- der substantially the same conditions and within a short period of time; but the country has continued to increase in alth and the people have prospered jer each regime so that the utmost t can be said of an economic ques- nis that it is only, as I have said, atively right or relatively wrong. A ake of that character can be right- If we convert our republican insti- ons into an imperial form of govern- nt, the history of the world holds up o promise but that of national de- struction. I do not contend that the election of Mr. McKinley this fall would result in the establishment of an empire during his administration. But I do believe, and I do insist that the victory of Han- naism which his election would imply and lead to, would irrevocably fasten upon the country policies which would eventually, notwithstanding that our in- ess. stitutions for a long time continued re- publican in form, lead to empire as cer- tainly as the succession of day and night. These are the facts; this is the situa- tion. Is it difficult, then, to determine what the issues are? STATE ISSUES. Important as these questions are, there are other questions involved in this campaign peculiar to our people as Minnesotans, that deserve our attention and the careful consideration of the people quite as do the national ques- tions. First and foremost among these is the question of taxation. What I assumed the discharge of the duties of my of- fice, I found, as I had contended the facts to be in the preceding campaign, that the bulk of the taxes collected by the state and by the municipalities un- der it were levied and collectetd from the people’s homes, rather than upon income bearing wealth and the specitl advantages and franchises enjoyed by the few. In my message to the legisla- ture I said upon this subject: “The truth of the matter is that our state is today exacting taxes on the lit- tle stock, tools, implements—the means of subsistence of numbers of our citi- zens who are struggling to support themselves and their families, while thousands who possess great wealth es- cape. Besides the inherent injustice of this, the state can ill afford to have those already battling for an independ- ent existence loaded with additional burden, which will sooner or later transfer many of them into the depend- ent classes. That this condition of af- fairs exists, the most cursory investi- gation of the subject will show. It is no more just or candid to charge this to the depravity of the wealthier members of the community than it is to cry dem- agogy whenever the subject is brought up. It is in my judgment a condition resulting from the new forms that wealth has assumed under the remarka- ble progress and the economic changes which have taken place in this century. It is not a subject for declamation or invective, but for patriotic, speedy solu- tion, now and here, and as rapidly as the forms of our institutious permit.” To remedy in part this condition of affairs I made three specific recommen- dations to the legislature. One was the imposition of a license fee upon foreign corporations doing business in this state, the same as is imposed upon the formation of corporations under our statute. Second, that the legislature enact legislation providing corporations doing business in this state, the same as the law authorizes the taxation of do- mestic corporations. Third, that the gross earnings tax upon the railroad property in this state be increased to a figure somewhat commensurate with the rate of taxation imposed upon other property in the state. LEGISLATURE ACTED UPON ONE. Of these recommendations the legis- lature saw fit to act upon one only, and that the least important. By the pas- sage of the law known as the Somerville bill, a license fee was imposed upon for- eign corporations for the privilege of doing business in this state. The law is rather crude in its provisions, and its enforcement having been committed to the office of secretary of state, the re- ceipts under it have not been as large as would have been the case had it been more carefully drawn and more dili- gently enforced. Notwithstanding, it has brought upwards of $50,0co into the state treasury. By the omission to adopt my second recommendation, namely, the passage of a law to provide for the annual taxation of the business of foreign corporations in this state, the legislature prevented the people of the state from imposing any taxes upon the immense amount of foreign capital em- ployed in profitable trade and business in this state, except such little office furniture and fixtures, or property of that character, as may be found at their piaces of business. As a citizen of the state, I feel humiliated to think that the legislature, elected by the people, sworn to support the constitution of our state, which imposes equal burdens upon all, and permits special privileges to none, should refuse to pass a law en- abling us to tax the Standard Oil trust, which transacts millions of dollars’ worth of business in the state annually, or the Federal Steel company, which owns nearly all the valuable mining properties in the northern part of the state, to say nothing about the lucra- tive business of the various loaning companies, machine companies, and other corporations that enjoy the ad- vantage of our trade, protection of our laws, and the fruits of our indus- try. But such is the fact, and so it will continue until the people pass judgment upon such action in a manner that can- not be misunderstood. GROSS EARNINGS TAX. The inadequacy of the present gross earnings tax I called to the attention of the legislature. Our state auditor, Mr. Dunn, did the same in his annual re- port, but with a perversity that is inex- plicable on principles that ordinarily guide human conduct, the senate abso- lutely refused to afford the taxpayers any relief from this unjust discrimina- tion in favor of railroad property. In Iowa railroad property is taxed 37-10 per cent on gross earnings; in New York 7 4-10 per cent; in Illinois 5 4-10 per cent; in Massachusetts 8 5-10 per cent; in Missouri 3 8-10 per cent; in Kansas 12 per cent; in Connecticut 5 per cent; and in Minnesota only 2.8 per cent. Were railroads in Minnesota taxed as in Iowa and Wisconsin they would pay one-fourth more taxes than they do now. Were they taxed as high as in Illinois they would pay double their present tax. Were they taxed as high in proportion to earnings as in New York, our receipts from that source would be increased over 150 per cent. Were they taxed in Minnesota as in Massachusetts the revenue from the railways in this state would increase over 200 per cent. The gross earnings of the railways in the state of Massa- chusetts for the year under discussion were $41,000,000, and were taxed by the state $3,527,820. In Minnesota they were taxed only $1,127,950. In Minnesota and Missouri, both agricultural states, the earnings were about the same, but the Missouri roads paid $336,000 more into the state treasury of that state. And yet, with all these facts before the Re- publican legislature of two years ago, with an overwhelming majority, with absolute power to pass or defeat any bill, the senate persistently fought and deliberately killed a bill to raise the gross earnings tax on the railroad prop- erty in this state to 4 per cent. By this action the taxpayers of this state and the state have been deprived of nearly $2,000,c00, even though the next legis- lature, after the election of a new senate should act as promptly upon the ques- tion as the forms of law permit. Ordi- nary arguments of this question I fear are of no avail with the senators now elected. The only argument that can convince them is the citizens’ argument at the polls. But these facts do not measure the convictions of duty of the present Republican state senate to the people of the state and to the state. I had specially called attention to the fact that one of the railroads in this state, operating under an old territorial char- ter, was not paying even the 3 per cent rate on gross earnings. It PAYS ONLY 2 PER CENT under provisions of its charter. The senate, with a quickened sense of public duty, which it had not experienced dur- ing the discussion of the general gross earnings bill, -passed a bill through the senate imposing a 3 per cent tax on that company, but added a clause repealing the existing law for the taxation of rail- road lands. The latter feature of the bill was discovered in the house, and its consequent speedy burial cut short its mission of senatorial usefulness. Had the legislature adopted the legislation which I recommended, the increased revenue to the state from those sources, together with careful and frugal ad- ministration, would have enabled us to start on the new century without be- ing compelled to ask the taxpayers of the state for one cent for defraying the ordinary expenses of the state govern- ment or maintaining our state institu- tions; and I here and now pledge the people of the state of Minnesota that if they elect a house of representatives that will carry out these reforms and induce the present Republican senate to listen to the arguments of reason, jus- tice, patriotism and duty, that, after the laws thus enacted in accordance with my recommendations have gone into effect, the taxpayers of this state will never again, under ordinary circum- stances, be called upon to pay one cent of taxes for the support of the state government, or for the maintenance of state institutions. CARE OF PUBLIC LANDS. Another subject only second to that of taxation in importance is the care and administration of our public lands. Shortly after our admission to the Un- ion the general government, with a munificence that should never be for- gotten, granted to the state of Minne- sota all the swamp and over-flowed lands within our boundaries. This grant will probably aggregate not far from 5,500,000 acres when the survey and the segregation of the lands are completed. Had this bountiful donation been hus- banded even with reasonable care it would have proven ample in time, not only to drain the large bodies of wet and untillable land in the northern part of our state, but it would have contrib- uted much to the maintenance of our state institutions and our public schools, But former legislatures and executives, with a prodigality little less than scan- dalous, have succeeded in frittering away more than 3,700,000 acres of that magnificent donation by grants to rail- way companies for other schemes. Upon entering into office I found lit- igation in progresss between the state and the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad Company to test the validity of the grant to that company embracing some 600,- ooo acres of land. The railroad had not been built upon the line, or between the points designated by the legislature, nor had it been completed within the time fixed by the granting act for its com- pletion. In fact, it was clear, and so conceded on all hands, that had the state authorities taken advantage of this failure of the company to earn the grant according to its terms in time, the state would not have lost the land; but in- stead of that it appeared upon the trial in the circuit court of the United States, as was the fact, that, notwithstanding the failure on the part of the company to build on the line of route designated or within the time stated, the governor and the state authorities, in whom the power was vested by the granting act to pass on the performance of these con- ditions, waived all these conditions and accepted the road as a compliance with the law and the terms of the granting act. Under this state of facts the cir- cuit court decided, and I think rightly, under the rule that prevails in the fed- eral court, that the state had waived its right to insist upon a compliance with the terms of the contract, and the grant was held valid. This company, which has the right to select its grant in the counties of St. Louis, Cook and Lake, now insists that the state swamp lands in those counties shall be held open by the state indefinitely to enable the company to select its quota at its pleasure and conveyance. A most care- ful consideration of the questions in- volved, by the state auditor and my- self, has led us to believe that under the law we have the power TO CLOSE AND ADJUST this grant now, and we propose to do so as speedily as the work involved en- ables us to do it with accuracy and care. In this matter and in all other matters in which the discharge of my duties has required the co-operation of the state auditor it is only fair to that officer that I should say at this time that he has co-operated with me with an efficiency and in a spirit of zeal for the public good that deserves this ac- knowledgment at my hands. About one year ago application was made to me to execute a patent con- veying some swamp lands in Pipestone county to the Southern Minnesota company. On investigating the claim of title to swamp lands by that com- pany, I found that it never had a swamp land grant; that the grant under which it claimed was on account of a branch of a main line which was never con- structed; that notwithstanding this fact my predecessors in office had, from time to time, certified to that company without any excuse for such action up- wards of 36,000 acres of valuable land in the southern part of the state. Un- fortunately this land was certified so long ago that the statute of limitation has run on most of the conveyances. Besides, I regret to say that the attor- ney general, after some recent reflec- tion, has. concluded not to concur in the view that I have expressed,_as to the sham character of this claim. But one thing is certain, that company shall not have another acre of the state’s lands so lcngasI am in office unless awarded by the courts, and I hope to be able to have matters settled so that none can be claimed after I am out. In the case of the swamp land grant to the Little Falls & Dakota Railroad company, now owned by the Northern Pacitic, former governors conveyed to that company over 13,000 acres of land in excess of what it had earned, and which it was not entitled to. Suit has been instituted for the recoy- ery of this land to the state. I feel con- fident of a successful outcome. With this suit settled, and within the next two years, I believe it possible to adjust and finally dispose of every state land grant claim in the state. Several have already been finally adjusted and set- tled. I have devoted much time and study to the question, as I believe it absolutely essential to the interests of the state that these matters should be finally and speedily adjusted, so that the state can husband and care for what lit- tle is left of its once magnificent dona- tion. ADMINISTRATION OF GRAIN SERVICE. To other important branches of state administration I can only give a pass- ing notice. Since Jan. 1 a majority of the members of the railroad and ware- house commission have been in full sympathy with my aims in the admin- istration of the important affairs com- mitted to the management of that board. I believe that I am justified in saying that the grain service, which was reorganized at the opening of the crop year of 1899-1900 by the appoint- ment of Hon. E. S. Reishus as chief in- spector, has been managed in a way to do full justice to all interests, protect- ing the farmer in his just rights by fair grades and just weights, on_ the one hand, and establishing the fixity and reputation of the Minnesota grade on the other. That individual cases of er- ror have not occurred I do not claim. Such a state of facts cannot be looked for in a business so extensive as the handling of the crop contributary to the terminal markets of this state. But I am gratified to be able to say to you and to the people of the state that since the reorganization of the sezvice there has not been a single instance of com- plaint, either from the East or from Eu- ropean markets, either as to shortage in weight or grade, of a single bushel of wheat that had passed through the Minnesota service. Prior to that time, and tnder the administration of Mr. Reishus’ predecessor, complaints from Buffalo and from England, both in re- gard to grades and shortage in weight, were persistent and common. Minne- sota’s leading grade, No. 1 northern, Duluth, has stood on an averege as compared with the four leading compet- itive grades in the Liverpool market, two cents higher than those grades. During the.crop year closed, No. 1 northern, Minnesota inspection, has ranked one to five cents per hundred pounds higher in the Liverpool market than Ne. 1 northern, Chicago inspec- tion, the average for the year being three cents in favor of Minnesota in- spection. Throughout the crop year, No, 1 northern Duluth and No. 1 hard Duluth have uniformly been quoted higher than the corresponding grades, No. 1 northern Manitoba, and No. 1 hard Manitoba. This rajifying result has been effected by enforcing the same standard of excellency upon grain in- spected out of the terminal elevators as is applied to the farmers’ wheat when it reaches the market. As to the manner in which the farmer’s interest has been protected, he is the best judge, and 1 shall offer no comment. I will only add that these reforms in the grain ser- vice have been accomplished without any increase of expenditure. On the contrary, the expense of the service durirg the crop year just closed, under Mr. Reishus’ administration, was $2,201.78 less than the cost of the ser- vice during the preceding year of Mr. Clausen’s administration. REGULATING RAILROAD RATES. In the matter of the regulation of railread rates, the. commission since its reorganization has proceeded as expe- ditiously as possible. The first and most important question demanding the at- tention of the board was the grain rates in the southwestern part of the state. The rates on grain from that section of the state to Minneapolis and Duluth had always been maintained at a figure that seemed to me exorbitant and such was the judgment of the commission. Early in the year a hearing was ordered for the investigation of these rates. After full inquiry and repeated confer- ences with the several carriers in that part of the state, the commission pro- mulgated a schedule which reduced the rates to 172 railway stations of the six roads which run through the 18 coun- ties of the Second congressional dis- trict, and in four adjoining counties. The reduction per hundred pounds runs frem 4% cents down on flax seed, 3 cents down on wheat, and 2 cents down on coarse grain. The rate on wheat is reduced I cent at forty stations, 2 cents at 20 stations, 3 cents at 28 stations, and in fractions between and_ under these figures at other stations. On flax seed the reduction is 1 cent per hundred at 26 stations, 2 cents at 17 stations, 3 cents at 17 stations, 4 cents at 35 sta- tions, and from % to 4% cents at the other 70 stations. This reduction put in force by the commission is only from local points tothe Minnesota terminal markets at Minneapolis and Duluth, but the railroads have now adjusted their Chicago rates to the new Minneapolis and Duluth rates, so that the rate re- duction applies to both the Lake Supe- rior and the Lake Michigan markets. A careful computation of the savings to the farmers of that part of the state by this change in the rate, indicates the amount to be in excess of $400,000 per annum, which is a sum much in excess of the state taxes collected from those counties. It would pay the $324,000 of county reyenue taxes that it takes to run the county governments of the counties affected; besides, it would pay the charge of $58,000 for the care of the poor, and still leave a surpius of $18,000 for the road and bridge fund. I men- tion these details simply to indicate how important and how far-reaching the question of transportation rates is to. a community. ANOTHER QUESTION PEND- ING. ° Another question relating to mer- chandise rates is now. pending before the commission. What the outcome will be of the hearing now in progress no one can tell at this time; but of one thing I am assured, and that is, that the present commissioners will take no ac- tion that will be unjust or unfair to the legitimate claims of the interests in- volved. Nor will they consent to any schedule of rates that does not afford every community substantially the same rate and the same fair field as is af- forded to any other community in the state engaged in the same line of busi- ness. CONDITION OF FINANCES. The finances\ of the state were never in better condition than at the present time, nor did its credit ever stand as high as it does to-day. I confess that I take some pleasure in referring to this fact, in view of the claim made by the opposition two and four years ago that my election as governor of this state would ruin its credit and destroy the business of the people. Thank God the | most important reform, certain to ad- wealth, industry and prosperity of this | vance the cause of education more than state, and I might say of this whole | any step affecting our schools taken by glorious country of ours, is better an- the legislature within my memory. I chored than to be contingent on the political defeat or elevation of any in-| Permanently establishing teaching in Providence has endowed me] Our common schools as a profession. with enough good sense to know that | It has already resulted in higher effi- dividual. of interest being fixed at 2 per cent. hoping thereby to escape foreign com- petition. But the credit of our state was such that, notwithstanding the short time of this paper, notwithstand- ing its low rate of interest, New York brokers bid a premium cf $135 on the issue, and this at a time when the consols of imperialistic England, drawing the same rate of interest and heretofore recogniz- ed as the best security in the world, were selling at a discount in excess of 2 per cent. THE LARGE SURPLUS. The only difficulty with our finances at the present time is the large surplus in the treasury. At the end of the fiscal year, Aug. 1, the state treasurer had in his vault and on deposit in the various banks $2,169,337.52. This sum is large- ly in excess of the amount actually needed for the requirements of the state. And I cannot help but express my regret that the last legislature did not cut down the tax levy, as I ad- vised in my message, notwithstanding the fact that they refused the legislation for the increase of the state’s revenue as I recommended. The next legisla- ture, even though it remains obdurate on the question of providing more reve- nue for the state from the sources that I have indicated, will be able to reduce the tax levy by one-third if the appro- priations are kept down to the real wants and necessities of the state, eco- nomically administered. During my administration not a cent of the state’s fund has been lost or mis appropriated, so far as I am advised, have been able to a tain. I mention this fact, not for the purpose of claim- ing any personal credit. For the excel- lent management of otr state funds Mr, Koerner, the retiring treasurer, is in a large measure entitled to the credit, and I accord it to him cheerfully. This state has never had a more prudent, pains- taking or conscientious servant. I am equally certain that if the gentieman whom you have this day nominated to succeed him is elected, the same may be truly said of him two years hence, as I say it of the outgoing treasurer today. FROM INSURANCE DEPART- / MENTS. A goodly portion of the surplus in the treasury has been contributed by the efficient work of the commissioner of insurance. Instead of the $174,0co in year. These figures were ina large measure due to examinations made by land marine insurance and transacting business with non-resident brokers and operating through pools. As a result of taxes collected by the insurance depart- | 5 ment in 1898, $208,000 was collected last the department of companies writing in- | | ations in support of Bryan. ing my term of office. To its prosecu- tion I have devoted every energy and every power that I possess. I have been most ably assisted by those in office, under my direction, and I express to them my gratitude for their earnest co- operation. For the mistakes of the ad- ministration I alone am responsible, but not culpabiy. Errors of judgment no man can guard against, and I know of no duty that I have knowingly neglect- ed to perform. With no aim but the honor of our great state and the welfare of our peo- ple, with no guide but the law and my conscience, I ‘have administered the af- fairs of the office which I hold without fear and without favor. This is all that I can promise for the future. Again I thank you for the honor con- ferred. SENATOR HILL’S POSITION. Ie Emphatically Endorses the Democrat- ic Ticket and Advocates the Election of Wm. J. Bryan. HERKIMER, N. Y., Sept. 7.—Ex- nator Hill's appearance here this evening occasi thing of a sen- sation in pol He came os- tensibly to vi end, ex-Judge Eari, ci that place. He was greeted by Judge Earl at the Central depot, and went with him to t Palmer house, where they had dinner together. In the evening the Fort band serenaded Mr. Hill, and a large crowd of citizens as- sembled. He was introduced by Judge Earl ard made a speech, the chief feat- ure of which was his reiterated declar- There was some talk that Judge Eari was to be advanced as a compromise candidate for governor, but Judg arl said - phatically e was not to be purely social visit. Mr. Hill svoke as follow. “It is needless to say that I am he ily in favor of the e if B and Stevenson. They are i : . | marked and e | honorably bound to active icket of my party nor cirety ances. and I am support a ated under chanic, the laborer. The ar are very piain and cannot be mis- stood. me party favots large these examinations $3,300 has been col- lected in back taxes on premiums not reported in former years—in one in- stance as far back as 1891. In addition to this that department has rendered the people of the state most excellent service in weeding out the numerous | “fake” and speculative insurance cor panies that were preying upon the cre: ulity of the peopie and robbing them hail, fire and life insurance. EFFICIENT DAIRY MENT. laws now on the statute books against the adulteration of food articles and in prosecuting the illicit sale of oleomar- garine, imitation butter and manufac- tured lard, by the inforcement of the laws in that behalf. Of the administra- tion of the dairy and food department I feel justified in saying that never before in the history of the state were the dairy and farming interests’ so efficiently de- fended and aided as in the last two years. The general progress of the state has been nowhere more marked than in the matter of education. During the year just closed, our permanent school fund grew nearly $1,000,000 substantially all of which has been carefully invested in permanent securities of che highest character. The permanent tund of the university has also been increased near- ly $100,000, bringing it up almost to the million dollar mark. These matters, while gratifying to us politically, are more significant to us as citizens, and to our children after us. With a careful administration of our wealth of swamp land, on the lines that I have indicated, and by proper legislation to secure and save the mineral rights, I hope to live to see the day when the permanent school fund of this state will reach the magnificent sum of $30,co0,000. Promising as is the financial situation of our school system, the progress on the educational side has been even greater. Our university continues to students and in the quality and charac- ter of its work. Its cultural influence and power are being felt more and more among the people of the state in every relation of life. Our normal schools are doing good work. Their standard of excellence is advancing. The same is true of our high schools. But in no department under the state’s care has greater progress been made than in our common schools and for no interest committed in part to my charge have I felt greater solicitude or keener interest. The common school divides with the home the duty of building American character. As are our common schools in this, so will our homes and institu- tions be in the next generation. Pur- suant to the recommendation of our ef- ficient state superintendent, the last leg- islature amended our school law so as to require all teachers’ certificates, ex- cept temporary permits to teach under special circumstances, to be issued by the state superintendent upon examina- tions held under his direction. I have no hesitancy in characterizing this as a believe that it will be the means of advance both as to the number of its | right and left under various schemes of | DEPART- |; The dairy department has rendered ; most efficient service in executing the | DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. | armies, immense public expendi 1res, a government of grandeur and magnifi- cence, high protective tariffs, a British colonial policy, great combinations of corporate wealth and a cent ernment. “The other part: of the plain and simp our fathers, publi ryenditures to the actual r ties of the govern- ment, tariff taxation for public rs a con governr | 1 | | | | | 1 falways hear it when ou Democratic votes to a “It is a partisan and not a sincere and patriotic appeal. It is based upon false pretenses. The country is not in danger, except from those who are now administering its government. We wiil | protect the flag wherever it goes, but j we will see that the g goes only j where it belongs. Its not be hauled down in dis shall it be d anyv it “The people are opposed to this gov- ernment acquiring territory which is not to be go by the constitution. It is no mo: ionally right to set up a colonial system than it is to create a king. The foreign policy of the present administration has been weak and shifty and unpatriotic, and the best thought of the country—the best students of history—the most in- telligent of Americans are against it. “No right-minded man can defend a president who said in his annual mes- sage that it was ‘our plain duty’ to give free trade to Porto Rico with the United States and then within a few months thereafter signed a measure which imposed a tariff duty of 15 per cent. “Our party has always been the true and genuine friend of labor, and aided in every opportunity the efforts of workingmen to improve their condition. For the first time in our national his- tory a political party has incorporated in its national platform the creation of a department cf labor, with a secretary thereof allowed a seat in the cabinet with the president of the republic. The Democratic party proposes this innova- tion in the interest of labor, and why should it not be done? “If wise counsel shall pr at the Saratoga convention next week and we proceed on right lines to pian for vic- tory, instead of inviting defeat, and shall so shape our course and policies as to deserve the support of the great independent and conservative forces of this state—always an important factor in our elections—and the thousands of Republicans dissatisfied with the arbi- trary machine rule of their party—we cannot only rescue the Empire state from further Republican contro!, but can give our electoral vote for our gal- lant national standard bearer, William J. Bryan. “While disagreeing with Mr. Bryan in some matters, I need not reiterate that I earnestly desire his election. “Our opponents are irtrenched in patronage and power, and the struggle to oust them must necessarily be ter- tific. “The tide, however, is with us. The skies are becoming brighter every day. Let us then all work enthusiastically for the cause and victory is within our reach.” it is not because of my election that the | ciency, in better wages for teachers, and finances of the state and its credit are in their present condition. same sense also teaches me, and I be- in better work in the schools. As your! But that | teachers are, so are your schools. Minnesota has a better school system, lieve that it will convince the good peo-} on the whole, than any of our sister ple of this state, that just, fair, econom-| states. This while primarily due to the ic and businesslike management of pub-| public spirit of our people, has been lic affairs will never injure the credit of | made possible by the efficiency, zeal and a commonwealth. The last legislature provided for the | ers. splendid professional spirit of our teach- To guard their interests and the issuance of short time certificates of in- | interests of our schools, I have spared debtedness levy for the erection of our new capitol. in anticipation of the tax | no effort and neglected no opportunity. I have thus briefly referred to some of In order to secure these certificates for | the work which has more especially de- the school fund, I insisted on the rate | manded and received my attention dur- Willing to Show ‘Em. An honest young man, who had escaped a great peril by an act of heroism, was much complimented for his bravery. One lady said: “I wish I could have seen Whereupon he blushed and stammered, ee ane Hig Sele egg: exronitee said: el ere the; e, .— Ste Louis Globe-Democrat. ‘s ban . your feat.”” When a woman dreads to ask her husband for anything she sends her daughter.—At- chison Globe. It is a fatal defect of many old saws that fee are hopelessly dull\—Indianapolis ews. | { ai \ i £ - } wm a a gj | | ) =| } | ~ } ——} r s * a 4 wt r 4 = a 5 i? i: = } F » | — \ 7