The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-03-27
LETTER FROM UNCLE JOSH.
FIDDLER's CREEK, March II.
No. 13.
Editor Free Press:

EulCOT free fTeSS:
We walked along the roadway lead
ing away from the lake as | supposed.
and 1 paused to look back once more
upon that enhancing picture, and as
l did so, | heard the music of silver
band, and looking, l saw that 1T came
from a gondola shaped barge, only it
was broader than thegondola, but it had
the same graceful rising curved points
at bow and stern. 1t was propelled
by electricity, and it was a thing OF
beauty as it rounded the point of an
island with the music waiting softly
over the water. | was 10th to leave
the scene, but the stranger promised
that | should have my fill of it, SO we
walked along beneath the widespread
ing branches of lofty elms, and pres
emily came to his homeland would
that / were able to describe it. We
passed up through lawn filled with
rare plants, fountains and statuary,
and entered spacious hallway. On
either hand were heavily curtained
archways, and within, the floors were
carpeted SO nicely as to yield no sound
to the foot fall. Rare and costly
paintings adorned the gilded walls.
| had noticed at the entrance to the
lawn by the roadway, that on one OF
the pillars of the gothic archWay en-
trance, there was delicately carved
''Notice," which read as follows: "All
strangers are welcome here and no
thanks expected at departure" When
the generous stranger had escorted me
through the spacious hallway, and
had conducted me to an easy chair, on
the rear veranda, he touched but
ton and soon neatly dressed waiter
appeared bringing some native wine
and box of elegant cigars. l asked
the stranger if the sign at the roadway
gate did not attract an army of
tramps. He smiled and said, ga
tramp is an unknown species in the
Federation. In early times we were
troubled with them, but they were
set to work on the roads, and kept
there until they begged to be allowed
to depart" III glancing out on the
landscape before me, my gaze rested
on wide stretch OF garden and lawn,
with flowers in prOfusion on every
hand, and beyond, down a gentle
slope, | saw a beautiful lake which
the kind stranger told me was por-
tiOn of the one | was admiring when
he first joined me. Here, it was not
more than a quarter of mile wide,
and across on the opposite shore, stu
ated on a gentle rise of land, slOping
to the lake, | saw stately edifice of
unique design, with it's tower gliS-
tening in the bright sunlight like
FURNISHED gold, and 1 was told that
this was an opera house. Beyond
this was roadway winding along the
shores of the lake, and / noticed what
seemed to be train moving along on
this roadway, and was told that it was
a freight transport, moved by an cleo
trio motor for carrying grain to the
elevators. After inviting me to help
myself to fresh cigar, the stranger
system under which the ST. F." was
said he, "we have no politicians, or
more properly, politicasters, as of old,
but in their stead we have statesmen,
who are educated at the public eX-
pense. Such thing as an "Office
seeker" is unknown among US. A per-
son evincing a desire for an office,
would be forever disgraced. In our
colleges we have department devOt-
ed exclusively to the study of the
science of political economy, which
as you well know cOmprehendS all the
measures by which the property and
labor of citizens are directed in the
best manner to the success of individ-
ual industry and enterprise, and to
the public prosperity. We at first en-
plOyed the best professors to be found
in the country, but of late years ma
tive born young men are filing all the
important positions.
There is a competitive examination
held annually at the colleges and the
students graduating from this depart
ment are placed in positions of trust.
Those who excel in this class, become
United States Senators and Represen-
tativeS where they are known as Fed
erals But from the time the student
enters college until his graduation, he
draws stipend from the Federation
Treasury, and we find the plan an eX-
cellent one, for the student has no
worry about the future, and he throws
his whole soul into the work before
him. He knows that his advance
ment is dependent on his own eXer-
lions and abilities.
There are several colleges through
out the Federation. After the first
year in college the student elects what
branch he will pursue. Our engineer
ing departments attract many stud
ents and already they are being called
to all parts of the world to fill posi-
tions of honor and great responsible
ty. We are very proud of our young
men," You also have colleges for
your young women 1 observe, / re-
marked 80 yes" said he ''and they
are the pride of the Federation, but |
will show you to your room now, as it
is about time for our evening meal.
After that is over, | will tell you
more about our institutions. | have
not reached your questionyet.
UNCLE JOSH.