The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-04-28
OUR REPRESENTATIVE.

Frank Mead, the veteran newspaper
man, for many years engaged in journal
ism in Minneapolis, at present in Wash
ington, wields a scathing pen when in
the mood for it. He has letter in the
Iournal-Press of last week relative to
Hon. Kittel Halverson, which is far too
severe. Mr. Halverson's best friends
never assumed for him any great breadth
of depth of insight into matters of states
manship, but he is intelligent, honest
and faithful. Such being the fact the fol-
lowing extracts from the letter are too
severe:
Your correspondent has two or three
times tried to interview the Hon. kittel
Halverson, representative from the Fifth
district When ne first declined to sub
NIT to the interviewing process, l was
inclined to attribute the motive to very
creditable species of innate modesty.
Later on the thought came to me that
possibly Mr.. Halversou might not know
what to say, and then your correspond
cnt graciously agreed to extend to Mr..
dents technical skill in the formation of
Il correct interview. Still Mr.. Halyerson
declined. Then it occurred to me that he
was afraid of being misrepressnted in
YOUR columns, and the offer was made to
carefully prepare the interview and sub
NIT copy of it to him for correction.
He persisted in his refusal.
But, MIR. Halverson, you are public
4 L.. Nv, t1,ar IL
ofyour district. They have claim to
know your position on public affairs"
Then, as showing how extremes meet
Mr.. HaIverson took almost the exact
view attributed to millionaire Wander
bilt of New York on memorable occa-
sion. He did not protanely calculate,
The public be-" like the great mil
lionaire and monopolist, but he did say,
Il don't care for the public! l will not
talk to the public"
Immediately thereafter the truth be-
gan to dawn upon me. Mr.. Halyerson
would not say anything because he had
absolutely nothing to say. Like the comet
surping brilliantly but recklessly through
space, Mr.. Halversen is out OF his sphere.
He is doubtless first-rate farmer; prob.
ably knows the good points OF the sever
al breeds of horses and cattle, and is per-
cectIy informed as to the difference be-
tween seed time and harvest, but when
i CONES to statecraft and deep political
1,robIe,rs, this bucolic politician knows
nothiue-.his mind is simply seal-bro wn
blank.
In his proper sphere Mr.. Halverson Is
hevond doubt a most excellent citizen, a
GOOD husband and father, pleasant
Eleighbor and an honest man. But IN
congress he righteously exemPllhes the
proyerbial d1stich that
IA little learningis dangerous thing.
In the speeches of Mr.. Donnelly the
member from the fifth has doubtless
read that the farmer is the most abused
man in our entire social system, and be-
ing entirely unacqualnted with the stat
us of all other classes, tumbles to the
conclusion that Mr.. Donnelly's generall-
cation must be right. 1t was not his
fault that he was seized upon by "a politi-
cal cyclene and pitched head-foremostln in
~, congress; and therefore he is scarcely
+o l,lame that in the very midst OF the
S,,bI;r,e battle for human progress and
soc;a1 -v olution he merely vegetables and
draws his salary.
DoubtIess I Re people ofhis district have
learned bv this time that they are entire
" unrenresenteG ia the present session OF
the CONGRESS ofthe yuieed States, and in
tend to take occasion 20 FecSiy the*vil
next fall. To be a good ana nop2Faole
citizen like Mr.. Halverson IS Conpliess
one desirable element for member OF
congress. But there are other require
ments, among which are broad intellect
ual capacity, knowledge OF politiea! his
tory and economy, fine social instincts
and popular manners. OF these latter
virtues Mr.. Halverson seems to be en-
tireiy destitute. II Mr.. Halyerson's
constituents have an intelligent appre.
citation of their material well-belns next
November, that very excellent CITIZEN
will receive permission to retire to PRIV
ate life after the fourth of March 1893,
and may thereafter be permitted to de-
vote all of his time and talents to dong
what nature intended he should aos~mllk
the COWS, cultivate his farm and thrive
Now, then, fist. Cloud or Fergus Fails
or Moorhead, or crOokston or Bralnerd
only had an active, intelligent member OF
congress, some of these progressive cities
would haye nice little pot OF money
set aside from the rational treasury tor
the erection of a beautiful postofflce
building. The wind setsi in this direction
can Kit+el Halyerson steer the ship!
am afraid not. He is not sufficiently &C
quainted with the manner fdoing things
in congress. He isnot able to "catch on
as the BOYS say. He is so exceedingly
busy IN voting for the establishment Of
sub-treasuries and for the free coinage o.
silver that he has no time to expend II
fooling with small matter like secur
ing a snug and convenient public build
ing for one or two of the larger centre:
of his district.