St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-26
BUSINESS IN POLITICS
What a Governor Should Be
and Do, According to
S. M. Owen.
Why lie Believes Changes
Should Be Made in Ap-
pointive Power,
Offices Should Be Filled Just
as Merchants Fill Clerk
ships.
The Alliance Leader Talks In
tepestingly on Current
:. Politics.

While the Alliance members in the
legislature are distinguishing them
selves in the state law factory, S. NJ.
Owen, their conspicuous chief in the
last campaign, is quietly saving wood
and writing farm editorials. But he is
keeping a keen eye on the legislature,
and. it is safe to say, nothing escapes
him. A GLOBE reporter dropped i'll on
him yesterday and interrupted flow of
editorial thought with the question:
"Mr. Owen, | should like to get your
opinion of the legislature-its status, if
you please"
"Status-ManlinesS you mean? When
men ask What effect will this bill have
upon our party % there is a censurable
lodging OF responsibility. ConglOm-
crate bodies are apt at this, but the gem
eral trend of our legislature is safe,
think, for the people behind it are press
ing it foI ward. The Alliance has hope
fully colored most of the party lines,
both Democratic and Republican. But
| want to see the Alliance members to a
man care less for party ends, and strike
heroicaIIy for retrenchment 10y intro
ducing just and practical bills, simple
and unambiguOuS, what the people need
and do call for Don't stop to ask if
Mr.. So-and-SO will vote for them. Stand
right up. Let the Alliance with its
natural supports vote square and
demonstrate to the people that they are
true to their pledges. even If their bills
are voted down by party servers, and
the people the next time will see that
Just such men are returned, and enough
of them to enact the laws they de-
mand,"
cit is reported, MIR. Owen, that you
want to lessen the appointing pow er OF
the governor"
"Why not? The people are the mas
tiers, or ought 10 be. The appointing
business has become a political vice.
When the Offices are filled and round
salaries guaranteed, who looks after the
performance of the assigned duties?
There are the tax laws. for instance.
Who sees that they are righteously en-
forced? In rural districts they are
obeyed, but in cities property hiding is
all the rage. and just taxation is null
lily; and the burdens fall upon the labor
classes. And there's the school law. 1t
is good enough so far as it goes: covers
the age, eight to sixteen; but it's body
without soul. No provision is made
to enforce it; hence, imperative. All
the legislature needs to do is to make
this provision. and carry it out. What
is the dairy commission? If it is to COLI
t1nue its present methods, Let her go,
] say, that there may be room to have
something hereafter that Is efficient"
"Why not improve it; regulate it;
save it? Is it not good thing?
absolutely good as designed, but ab-
solutely unweldly and impracticable as
now administered. Its intended mis-
sion was not TO consume money. but to
use it in educating the farmers and deal
erS in relation TO the best COWS. the best
adaptable food for butter and cheese,
how to make these articles in best quail
tiles for best profits, AMI to protect those
interests against frauds and spurious
goods.
do you mean to imply that what the
appointeeS care for is the salary only,
and that they generally do not discharge
their duties?"
Look al the results; are they equal
to the requirement and expenditure?
am willing the governor should appoint,
but when he appoints | want him to see
that the work is done, and faithfully.
too. l don't believe III multiplying Of
fees with salaries for the sake OF keep
ing the party on its legs"
"But if the governor, as no doubt you
concede, selects men who are qualified.
would you hold him responsible for
their neglect"
eyes, just that responsible. Neglect
of public duty. or incOmpetency to per
form that duty, should mean of goes
your headD Let me illustrate. Here's
a business corpOratiOn-Say railroad.
Its safety and success depend on qualti-
cation and duty discharged. The Off
Gals at headquarters understand this
and are pre-emlnently executive. Life
and property, venture and profit are in
volved here. Justice to the people de
mands there shall not be moments
parley when an employe fails to do the
work assigned him."
you compare corporation to the
state; is not the state really ditferent?"
industrial institution set up by the pe0-
pie. The officers are the peoples serv-
ants, and as such must obey the people.
The governor is head chief-the bust
ness manager, if you please. Suppose
a candidate calls with his credentials of
qualification. Are these enough to
warrant an appointment? l tell you
every fellow needs to be looked all over
and through and through, and sounded
like the hammer hitting the car whe eel
to learn if it is safe. You think you
can do this work?' asks the goyernor-a
genuine business governor. The man
answers. Yes. of course The salary
is ample he continues; 'can you equal
its value in service?' The man says
yes again. And you need an assistant
with another special salary" Why.
yes he replied; AN assistant will be of
great convenience That settles it,
the governor adds, I can find plenty of
men VINO will gladly do all the work.
turning to his writing; 4 don't want
you Now that Is business business
principles"
Here Mr.. Owen indicated, with tip
ping down of his chair to his table and
Selling his pen, that the time was up,
and the reporter bowed himself out
with 'Ithank yOu."