The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-11-02
Mr.. WILSON'S RECORD.

Mr.. Eugene Wilson, the Democratic
candidate for governor, is posing be-
fore the people of the state as a sworn
foe of monopoly in its many headed
forms. And yet, Mr.. Wilson's active
and persistent efforts in behalf of rail-
road corporations constitute the most
prominent feature of his record while
in congress. The Minneapolis Tribune,
which has been looking into the mat
ter rather too closely for Mr.. Wilson's
politicel comfort, points out that he
was a member of the committee on
Pacific railroads and public lands, and
lit appears that the expenses of this
double honor were paid out of the
public domain. He was one of the
most watchful and energetic railroad
lobbyists on the floor of the house,
and glorifed in the Democratic policy
of granting millions of acres Of the
public lands to great corporations. AS
a member of both the committees
which had to deal with these questions
his influence was invariably exerted
on the side of the railroads. He did
valiant service in relation to the
Northern Pacific land grant, but his
speeches and votes on the subject
show that he was more interested in
securing the largest rights possible for
the company than in preventing un-
necessary and injudicious infringe
ments on the rights of the people. BY
way of illustration it may be mention
ed, that on May IS, 1870, he voted
against an amendment to joint reso-
luton relating to the Northern Pacific
railroad, which amendment provided
that all the lands granted to the COM
pany should be sold to actual settlers
only, and in quantities not greater
than 100 acres to any one person, and
for price not exceeding $2.so per
acre. The amendment also provided
that no mortgage that might be given
by the company should operate to
prevent the sale of the lands to actual
settlers only. He also voted against
an amendment providing that the land
granted TO the company should be
subject to settlement and pre-emption
at price to be paid the company, not
exceeding $2.5o per acre. Numerous
other instances are cited in connection
with legislation for the Northern Pa
cifc in which Mr.. Wilson uniformly
voted in behalf of the special interests
of the company wherever they con-
ficted with those of the settlers or of
the general public.
In commenting on this matter the
Winona Republican pertinently re-
marks that the fact that man is or
has been the attorney for great rail-
road corporation does not necessarily
disqualify him for serving the people
with fidelity to their interests when
called upon to do so. If he is made
of the right kind of material he can
discriminate in favor of right and JUS
tice. But, says the Republican, when
man shows. himself the uniformly
obedient servant of the corporation,
surrendering his right of private judg-
ment at its request or dictation, as Mr..
Wilson appears to have done during
his brief career in congress some years
ago, his professions of love for the
dear people when he again comes up
as candidate for Office may well be
taken for what they are worth-and
that is precisely nothing. Mr.. Wilson
is not the man for governor of Mime
sofa.