The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-09-30
Mr.. McGill's Accordance.

Mr.. McGill, being introduced to the con
vention at convenient stage soon after
his nomination was most cordially re.
ceived, and spoke as follows:
Your committee has advised me Of my nomi-
nation by you as your candidate and as the can
didate Of the Republican party Of Minnesota. for
the high office OF governor. thank you for The
distinguished compliment. To be governor of
Minnesota is an honor worthy the ambition of
any man. It is now something more than twen-
ty-hve years nee came to Minnesota. They
have been eventful years, checkered with Ill and
good fortune, with peace and war, with prosper
lily and adversely; yet withal they mark quar-
ter OF century OF marvellous progress in the
development of all the interests characterizing
vigorous and enlightened commonwealth. At
the beginning OF this period the entire popula-
Ton OF the state was but 17s,ooo; now it is not
less than million and quarter. Taen there
was not foot OF railroad within the limits of
the state; now there are more than seven thous.
and miles, built ut cost Of $l52, SIS, co., and
representing value of twice that sum- The
entire taxable property of the state, both per.
eonal and real, was then rated q: less than $780,
100000, now, according to the last assessment
It's value exceeds 3465, 900, 900. The wheat
crop OF l8GO-and 1t was q good crop, too-but
little exceeded 100000 bushels, while nova
days We consider it poor year for wheat when
the yield falls below $4,000, 900 bushels, not
leading product in many parts of the state. St.
Paul, with her population o. 5000 was then the
principal town in the state, and Minneapolis was
but slow going village; now each city largely
exceeds 1000 0. and their combined population
comprises one-ffth Of the total population of tho
state. 1t 10 not yet thirty years since Minnesota
imported breadstuffs to feed her sparse popula-
ton; to-day Minneapolis enjoys the cnv;able
distinction Of being the greatest center of -four
manufacture In the entire world. Duluth, Their
scarcely discovered wilderness, is now, with
ping ports Of the great lakes, and the vast areas
OF the northwestern counties, with the rich VAL
ley Of the Red River OF the North, then the roam
Ing ground of the buffalo and the red man, are
cultured fields, dotted over with schoolhouses
and enlivened with the busy marts OF industry.
The progress and material development Of tho
state are pretty we'll measured by the insurance
business, with which am somewhat familiar.
As late as 1872, in which year the insurance de-
partment was established, the whole amount Of
Insurance written in the state was but 34s, 000,-
quo: In 1885 the risks exceeded the sum Of
S200, 900 900.
THE GRAND RESULTS.
Such, in brief, is the tale OF actual growth
with which our state has been favored, in com.
parison with which the most glowing fiction
grows tame. It is a familiar story. being but
the record of the proudest part Of that great
Northwest where advance in all that constitutes
national prosperity is one of the worlds mar
vels. Such results achieved by faith, courage
and energy indomitable, in large measure mark
the history OF our entire country, especially
since the successful issue. He reviewed brief
" the history of the progress of the state of
Minnesota during the past twenty-five years and
pald tribute to her vast resources and develop
ments. His idea was that labor and CAPITAL
should be combined for the common good.
Labor without capital is useless, and capital
without labor is in the same situation. They
should be cooperative and never antagonistic.
The condition of the laborer of the present day
has been so far ameliorated from that of former
times that the laborer now lives cetter than the
kings Of England in past ages, which only goes
to prove that this condition may be still further
improved. 1t is to the interest Of the country
that the standard of labor and laboripg men
should be raised to the highest, and it IL one of
the most hopeful signs Of the times that labor
ing men are participating in governmental
affairs. The farmer should be classed with the
laboring man, and is entitled to the protection
OF the state In matters Of transportation. The
railroads are creatures Of the state, and should
be subject at all times to the states control
through laws enacted for their government
The idea that they are beyond the control OF
the state lie proposition absurd on its face, the
state sovereignty being euch that the state can
not create corporation or power that is above
itself. 1t Is the duty of the state to exercise
close supervision over the railroads. Railroads
have done much to advance the condition of the
public; they have been the agents Of civiliza-
ton, and the advance guard Of settlement, and
have contributed more than anything else to the