Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-11
JUDGE TL4NDRAU DECLINES.

JUDGE FL4NDRIU DECLINES.
His Private Business VIII not Permit Of
His Holding Public Position.
Hon. G. D. O'Brien, Chairman Democratic
Committee for Ramsey County.
DEAR SIR: The Legislative convention,
which met in this city Oh the 4th instant.
did me the honor to confer upon me the
Democratic nomination for one of the
members of the house of representatives
TO the state Legislature from the Fourth
ward Of this city. It was very generally
known before and at Inc time OF the meet
ing of the convention that l did not desire
to be candidate for this Or any other
public position. as had On every oppor-
tunity, both in conversation with political
friends. and in interviews with the re-
porters Of the public press, so expressed
myself without qualification. My deter
mination in this respect does not arise
from any disinclination to serve the pub
lie wher ever I think my services would be
of value, but from the fact that for the
past twelve years my private affairs
have been of such absorbing char
acter as TO require my constant attention.
do not deem it just either to myself Or
the people, to undertake the fulfllment Of
public duties, to which l cannot devote my
best energies and ability. and I feel as
sured that should I accept this nomina-
ton. and receive the honor of an cleo ton,
the imperlous demands of my professional
business, involving long absences from
the city, during the session, would render
the performance of this public trust on
my part perfunctory, and unsatisfactory
to all parties concerned. I am much
strengthened in my decision not to accept
the nomination by the fact that the Re
publfcans have placed before the people as
my opponent gentleman of much expert
ence in our municipal, county and state
affairs, and whose high standing in this
community for intelligence, integrity and
ability, should recommend him to the con-
fdence of the whole constituency
of the district The mere question
of politics does not influence my Judgment
in any great degree, as the Democracy will
be largely in the minority whether myself
or my adversary is elected, and the politi-
cal consequences in either event hardly
worth considering. Neither do I ignore.
the fact that many couriesies have recently
been extended by each party to the other
in their nominations both for judicial and
legislative offices.
Under all the Giro umstances of the stu
alton I deem it my duty to decline the
nom nation, and hereby tender to you my
declination, at the same time returning to
the convention my sincere thanks for the
confidence in myself manifested by their
choice.
I take the earliest opportunity to inform
you Of my decision in order that the COM
mittee may supply my place on the ticket
if it should deem best to do SO. Yours
very truly, OHAs. E. FnANDRAU.
Gen. Rosencrams on National Railroad
Legislation.
Gen. Rosencrans was recently interview
ed at San Francisco in relation to the bill
regulating railroad business in the United
States introduced by him during the late
session Of congress:
Twill you please explain the character of
a bill you have recently introduced in con-
gress relative to the regulation Of railroads
and their rates of freight and fares, and if
you have not made an effort to legislate
against the pernicious contract system?'
The bill you allude TO is intended to
prohibit all unjust Determinations in
freight and fares upon the lines of rail-
roads which are rightfully amenable to
government control, and to punish viola
tion by any corporation by laws enacted
by the national legislature"
Can this be done-that is. can law be
enacted which will regulate freights and
fares?"
1t can on all roads subsidized by the
government. These roads, built by the
government and with the peoples money,
can and should be controlled by the gov
eminent in the interest of the people. I
believe in the present temper of congress
that any bill can get through. The main
obstacle in the way is the committee on
railroads, which 1 know has been con-
structed in the interests of the great rail
road corporations. The same may be said
of the Judiciary committee"
''What has the Judiciary committee to do
with the regulation OF Railroads.&c.
''It has much to do with them. It repu-
lates the question of the big land grants.
and through it the railroads hold control
of most OF the public lands, large pro
portion of which properly belongs to the
people. l tell you, sir. that the people do
not fully realize the immense power Of
these corporations as exercised at Wash
ington. While am not opposed to rail-
roads as common carriers and beneficial
institutions to the country, I feel
assured that the time has ar
rived when they must be placed under le-
gitimate control The railroads have a
larger influence upon the value of land
than the currency, and railroads were un-
known to the trainers of the constitution;
yet currency is controlled by the constitu-
ton, and why should not the constitution
be so amended as to control the railroads
The benefits of quick transit and cheap
transportation belong to the people. I
don't make war upon railroads, but am
of the opinion that they should be COM
PEELED by law to grant cheap fares and
transportation to the people,"