The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-06-29

ers, by sending me forth through the
various counties of the state to try
and raise 100000 by contributions.
This work took over twelve months Of
labor, the like of which | would not
again undertake for half of the sum
raised, to say nothing Of the abuse
and cOntumely which was at the
time and has since been heaped
upon me. No additional COM
compensation was allowed nor asked
for in remuneration for this additional
and thankleSS task-a task which, had
it failed, would have resulted in hui
initiation and disgrace to the great
state which every patriotic citizen
living within its boundry is proud to
own as his home, and who is jealous
OF it's good name and fame.
1t is not my purpose nor wish to
claim any credit for Minnesota's splen-
did showing at Chicago. For all of
this l am more than willing that the
Board of Managers should have the
full need Of praise. But do object
most strenuously to being charged
with holding back reports over which
l have no more supervision, control or
disposition than some Of the editors
who are trying to make political CAPT.
tai against me at this time, and whose
statements as to salary and expenses
are disproved by section of the by
laws of the Board as above printed.
The Superintendent official duties
closed December 31st, 1893. His Of
fetal life began August lst, 1891 He
was therefore employed in Worlds
Fair work two and half years. And
two and half years Of the hardest,
and in some respects, the most distaste-
full work in which he ever engaged.
He did this not for profit, although he
received reasonable compensation for
his services, but more because he had
a desire to make success of the work
in which he was engaged.
On the 18th day of last February the
Superintendent made very complete
report of his stewardship to the Board
of Managers, which was at that time
accepted and adopted by the Board.
This report covered eighty pages of
printed matter, was compiled and
printed at his own expense and at a
cost in time and labor of over 800.
At that meeting of the Board the
Secretary was authorized to have
printed 5000 copies in pamphlet form
of the superintendent report, TO-
gether with the Secretary and Treas
urers financial statements for dis
tribution. A meeting of the Board
was held about month since, and it
was hoped that the public would be
Immediately furnished with the in,
formation, but [ have learned that be.
fore the report is finally given out
each member of the Commission must
have it for perusal, and this arrange.
ment will delay the publicity in
definitely.
1t has seemed proper for the Anoka
Herald, whose editor seems to be over.
Jealous in his ambition to prevent my
nomination for State Auditor, and q
few other state papers, to speak very
unkindly and unwarrantedly anent
the Withholding of the report of the
Board of Managers, laying the fault at
my door when, as before stated, | am
as pOWerleSS to make financial re.
port of the Board as is the aforesaid
editor. The only report [ could make
was issued over four months ago, and
accepted by the Commission. The
Herald says:
word to you, Mr.. Hunt You are candi
date for one of the most important offices in the
state. Don't stand upon your dignity. Give
your report in detail to the public without de
lay-before July II, anyhow. 1t stands you il
hand to do this. The taxpayers of Minnesota
have right to know how their money was ex
pended. Be specific; don't mention lump sun
for railroad fare, when by virtue of your office
you rode on passes. Give US a report that is
report If we are in error as to the amount O
hard cash you received, correct us. We chal
lenge you to produce the vouchers.
For reply to the above | can only
refer the editor to the Commission
who alone can give him the informa
tion as to how the money was eXpend
ed. can say, however, that not one
single mile of railroad transportation
was ever secured through or by virtue
of my position as superintendent, and
that every mile aveled-Over 80, 600
was paid for out of my own business
with the exception of few miles OF
travel over the n. P. and g. N, which
was furnished through the courtesy OF
the executive department Of state un-
der Gov. Merriam's administration.
These lines of road | could not at the
time contract with for advertising eX-
change. Owing to the great amount
of extra travel required in raising the
special fund, and the fact that the
Superintendent accepted of this adj
ditional work while it was no part OF
his duties as originally set forth, the