St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-15
A CANDIDATES. RECORD.

A CANDIDATES. RECORD.
All the candidates for delegate in con-
greSs are personally reputable, and may
be accredited as gentlemen in all the
relations OF society. 1t is not probable
that either of them needs to invoke the
kindly aid of the rule said to be in
vogue among the politicians on the
Eastern border further north, never to
look east Of the Red for records. There
is no occasion for offensive personal
tiles or mud throwing. The public ap-
petite does not crave this sort of pahu-
lum, and no public or party interest Is
likely to be promoted by that sort OF
political warfare. 1t is, however, le-
Ultimate and proper to examine the
public record of all candidates. The
best criterion of the future is the
past. If a man has acted in harmony
with the interests or wishes of voters
when he has been in office. that fact
should outweigh present professions.
OF the three candidates for delegate
Mr.. MATHEWS is the only one who has
ever held official position that has any
bearing on the present canvass. lie Is
said to have held Office as 4 Democrat
before he came to Dakota, but coming
into the radius of Republican major
tiles. he at once saw the need of getting
into the line to secure position. He has
held several minor and local positions
that are unimportant, but the capital
commission was the first prom
inent station. He was fortunate
in having a business partner VINO
was a member of the leglSla-
ture and had influence with Gov. ORD
WAY. How far he was mixed up with
the transactions of that body that were
so strongly disapproved by the people
as not akin to public probity, is mat
ter of some question. 1t is stated that
at the instance of a great railroad SyS-
tenn he voted for Huron, and not Bis
marck, but his course on that commits
sion made HIM favorite with the spec
ulators at Bismarck. He is nowhere
more popular. If he was opposed to
any of the schemes of the commission,
or the majority, he was not offensive IN
his opposition.
His record of particular interest to
voters. and especially farmers, is found
" the last legislature, of which he was
amember. He was president of the
council, and, of course, had almost
controlling interest in securing or de-
feating legislation. 1t will be remem-
bered that, while nearly all the meas
ures desired by the farmers passed the
Nruse, they failed in the unfriendly
.auncil. The Dakota papers are COM
Sling and publishing Mr.. MATHEWS
ecord on these measures. As a sample
of the votes, the Northwest News has
7ound and reproduced the following:
On council bill l79, regulating warehouses
Or grain. MATHEWS voted against. This act
Sas regarded as being better for the farmers
Ihan the other bill. but MATHEWS said no TO
both of them He worked nard also for their
defeat using all his influence TO that end
Voted against bill to prevent the spread OF
Sontagioils diseases among sheep.
Voted against bill reducing the salary OF
the public examiner.
measure which was bitterly opposed by the
farmers.
whose crops were burned on the missouri 10
borrow seed. MATTHEWS voted no. Another
stab at the farmer which he viii be apt TO re
member III November.
Voted against bill providing farmers in
surance corporation.
Referred ALLIN's bill against gambling in
grain and pork 10 hostile committee, which
did MATHEW bidding and killed 1t.
on bill to extend time for taxes, MATHEWS
voted no On the house bill on the same
subject, MATHEWS voted no, having me not
very enyiable record Of being the only man
so voting.
on the WEIsER grain bill giving free mar
kets 10 grain, MATHEWS voted no. The bill
was introduced in behalf of the farmers and
was one Of their pet measures
Voted against the bill to collect penalties
from insurance companies, clasping hands
with corporations against the people.
On bill 10 repeal section 42?. chapter 81,
of the penal code. which was the only law on
the statute books furnishing the crime OF
usury, MATHEWS voted yes.
An act to provide for acquiring title TO
lands occupied by the railroad companies
arailrosd grab-MATHEws voted yes. We al
WAYS find HIM in the company of corpora
lions and against the people;
On motion to pass bill discharging the cap
ital commission of which he was a member.
and in which it is charged he grew rich, Mr..
MATHEWS voted no. on motion TO reconsider
the above vote MATHEWS voted yes. (Journal,
- 1861
for the remuneration Of stOckmen whose
stock was killed by order of the territorial
veterinary department, Mathews voted no.
He was the only member OF the council who
voted against the measure (p. 743, Journal.
Voted against the minority report on the
council bill los, creating board of railroad
and warehouse commissioners and then
voted against the bill. which was lost by l ,
to u. After reconsideration and amend
ment by Hughes to suit The monopolistS he
voted for il.
on bill to in crease license to $1,000
Mathews voted no.
The paper quoted from says that after
looking through his record faithfully and
impartially, We fail TO find single vote of
his recorded in favor of the farmer and
against the wishes of organized capital in the
form of some corporation. Not measure
has been advocated by the farmer, but AATH-
Ews has opposed. Not a measure has been
opposed by the farmer but he has voted for
it. Not Il request has been made by cor
poratiOn but he has voted 10 grant it, Not d
fight mas been made by bank, a railroad or
an ms rance company but il has fought
right along with MATHEWS as a leader. These
are facts taken from the council journal.