The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-04
KNurE NELSON IN wHATcoM.
The Noted Minnesota Republican Inter
viewed on National Topics.


viewed on National Topics.
wHATcoM, Aug. 2-Hon. Knute Nslson.
of Alexandria, Mimi, has been here for
few days on legal business and visiting his
old friend, Hon. NJ. Anderson. This is his
first trip to Puget sound and he is delighted
with the country and elated over its pros
poets. Your correspondent visited him
Yesterday and was introduced to a rugged
business man of not less than medium
height, probably As years OF age. He Is
affable but retiring in disposition, given
very little to display and might easily be
mistaken for well-to-do farmer. Mr.. Nell
son served three terms in congress from the
Fifth Minnesota district, and might have
been there today had he preferred to re-
main in politics. In congress, Nelson
made vigorous fight against the features
of the tariff laws which discriminate
against the farmer in the interest of manu-
facturers. Living in an agricultural coun-
try, his sympathies led him to differ from
the tariff policy of the Republican party.
He believes in the principles of protection
but thinks the tariff laws should be revised
In the interest OF the farmers. In rum
ming conversation he dropped the opinion
that the Republican ticket would win in
Minnesota Notwithstanding the Independ-
ent State Farmers Alliance ticket, because
the candidates on the alliance ticket are
practical politicians rather than practical
farmers.
Mr.. Nelson served his country In the
war for the Union, but does nots.approve of
the general scramble now going on for a
service pension; but he blames the pension
agents in Washington and the lower order
of soldiers, who seem willing to convert
patriotism to dollars and cents. The
worthy and dependent soldiers, their
widows and orphans, should be amply
provided for, but the treasury doors should
not be thrown open to become the prey of
pension agents and able-bodied and unde-
serving men.
Civil service reform looks well on paper,
but has not yet become tangible thing.
The boom towns OF Minnesota, like the am
bilious towns here, are quarreling with the
census, and few, if any. chronic diseases
appear in the lists.
The manner in which the Pacific rail-
roads have plundered the governments q
disgrace. The Central Pacific, now seek
ing to refund her vast Indebtedness to the
government at very low rate of interest,
aCoeh-SoCAC0
an orange by stanford and few others,
and the government only holds the peel
ings for security. while the railroad mana
gers have made millions out of the scheme.
The Union Pacific is not in such bad
condition, but the Pacific railroads should
u forced 70 settle with the government.
The hard times in Minnesota are at
tributable to over-production of grain and
high rates of transportation, which will not
permit the products of the country to go
to market at reasonable rates.
The great sources OF wealth in Whatcom
county are timber, agriculture and the
grand water facilities and BellIngham bay
harbor. The railroads and waterways will
build great city here. and the mineral re-
sources of tine country viii soon be de-
veloped and stimulate manufacturing.
Mr.. Nelson has returned home to Alex
andria. Mimi. where he is practicing law
in all its branches. He seems satisfied to
dwell at peace in the quiet practice of his
chosen profession at the little old county
seat, rather than mingle in the giddy whirl
OF politics at Washington.