The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-04-30
CONFESSION.

so much a source of wonder considering |
the experimental and crude material
with which to do its work, as the fact
that it not only permitted but abetted
every form Of riotous extravaganza both |
in legislative expenses and appropria-
tons.
More sinecures were maintained than
ever before, and the highest ambition OF
most af the alliance members seemed to
be so secure tor party friend position
at minimum of work and maximum of
salary. 1t is no exaggeration to say that
there were score of useless attaches OF
the legislature who performed no official
dutymore burdensome than appending
their signatures to the payroll.
It is not to be wondered at that the
alliance members felt that an apology
was due the state atlarge for their course
during the eighty day of service, for
which they were paid 1O5 per diems. To
be sure the apology-or rather COMES
sion, declares that the alliance being in
the minority were not responsible. but
that statement deceives no one. The
very fact that the speaker was one OF the
shiningest dark lanterns in the house is
sufficient refutation of that claim. The
alliance held the balance of power, dictat-
ed the organization under bargain
with the democrats, and was in position
to dictate with equal effectiveness the
policy of the session. The alliance had
the speaker, the speaker named the COM
mittees and the committees shaped legis-
lation-or might have done so. And the
same condition of affairs obtained in the
senate In view of these facts the follow
ing manifesto will be read with interest,
| and discounted to accord with the facts:
The undersigned, representatives and
senator's, elected to the recent legislature
to advocate alliance principles, perceiy-
ing that a concerted attempt is being
made to make the farmers alliance re-
sponsible tor the extravaganza and fail
ures of the session just closed, respectful
ly state:
First-That there were but forty-six
L
islature out of 1913. That this number,
being considerably less than one-third of
the whole, could not control the course
of legislation in any particular, and can
not Justly be held responsible for it.
Second-An examination of the record
will show that in nearly every instance
the alliance members and senator's voted
on the side of retrenchment, reform and
good government. They failed to ac-
complish the work demanded by the peo-
pie because they could not get support
enough from the members of the old
parties.
Third-A large part of the great in
crease in the appropriations complained
of has been due to the steadily increasing
demands of our state charitable institu-
lions. The vanity of localities and OF
officials has swelled these demands be.
yond all reason. They are "the horse
/ leech's daughters, whose constant cry'is
"Giye, give" AS these institutions are
under the charge and management of the
republican party, the alliance cannot be
held responsible for their exactions. The
alliance has applied the pruning knife
vigorously to them; but with all the re-
trenchment possible we have not been
able to keep the appropriations within
reasonable bounds. We were driven to
the alternative OF either precipitating an
extra session at great cost to the tax
payers, or voting for the appropriation
, bills and the bill increasing the tax levy.
1t was a choice of evils. In addition to
the current appropriations we are called
upon to provide for deficiencies of $780,.
, 900, coming down to us from past legis.
latures.
Fourth-We desire il clearly understood
that we represent distinct and indie
, pendent political organization, and are
i in no wise an appendage to either of the
old parties. While there have been good
. men belonging to both parties on the
floor of the legislature during the recent
. | session, we see plainly that in the great
: battle for reform we can depend on ne
, political party but our own. To do g
: special work men must be specially elect
ed for that work.
Fifth-We have asked for reduction
! of the rate of interest on money; all pc
litical parties have echoed that demand
Our reasonable request has, for the thirt
|. time in three successive legislatures, beer
: denied. We must carry this question rc
: the ballot box in 1892. Every man who
: has proved false on this issue should b,
: ruthlessiy prescribed by the votsrs.
Sixth-We demanded the squeezing O
. the water" out of railroads stocks b.
Z passage of an act fixing maximum rates
!. for the transportation of freight and pas
sengers, or by tie adoption of the low.
system of railroad laws. This demand
has also been echoed by both the oil
parties, but it has been denied us.
II Sayenth-We asked that new boart
of prison Managers, friendly to the farm
r ers and untainted by any bad record il
= the past, should be created by law, VIII,
A would see that the great experiment G
manufacturing twine by the convic
labor of the state should be made sue
e cess We have been defeated in this d.
!, mand, aud we very much fear that al
tempts may now be made to bring t
naught our efforts to break up the twin
y trust, and at the same time prevent til
conyicts from being employed at wor
y which would conflict with free labor i
4 its struggle for an honest existence. W
le have no apologies for supporting the e
n fort to establish the manufacture {
I, twine at saltwater. It is demanded b
" our whole people. successful, It woul
n save the farmers of Minnesota seyers
q hundred thousand dollass annually, an
= the interest of the farmers Is, In the Ion
run, the interest of all the people of TIL
% state. The sum of $3.50 900 voted fc
n the purchase OF material is not don:
r tion, but revolving fund to be returne
n annually by the sale OF Irvine.
We are defeated, but not 1ishsartenct
y To give up the fight we are engaged
De would be to give up the cause of free go,
re eminent. We are laboring to leave
h the hands of the producers the fruits {
their own industry. We call upon ever
man who loves justice and right to con
!, to QyS help. We call upon the farmer
!, and the mechaniss and all the hosts
q labor to go to work. from this hour, ar
e. prepare for a great campaign in 1Ss
n, for the redemption of the state from I'll
grasp of the classes who now plund
and Cypress it.
We have great work to do. A cor
us mites Of Investigation of the house h:
4e renOrted SWORN evidence which goes