St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-10-28
WAS 1T BUsINEssLIKE?

4 ~
The Republican papers are begging
and pleading for votes for Mr.. Nelson
because business interests will suffer II
he Is defeated. This is the same old rot
that has been spread over the national
field for a great many years, and is now
being concentrated and dumped onto
the devoted heads of Minnesota voters.
But assuming that there is something
in this, an inquiry into Mr.. Nelson's
business methods is pertinent; not his
methods as private individual. but as
the executive officer of the state.
He is engaged just now in the consider
alton of business of vast Importance. 1t
involves gain to the state of some
$5,000,0O0 of value, or the gain to tile
Great Northern Railroad company of
that amount. Should he use his office
i'll the interest of the state or~in the in
terest Of the company? What would
any business house of the state think of
its chief agent, should he under similar
circumstances hesitate moment in re-
gard to what his duty was to his house?
Should he hesitate i'll manner which
would give an advantage to an opposing
house, would not any business firm dis
charge him Immediately?
Again. what do the business men of
the state think of Mr.. Nelson's business
methods i'll the correspondence con-
Quoted in this case? DO they regard it
as commendabIe? Do honorable bust
ness men use SUCH methods in their
business? If 1t would be- considered
dishonorable for any business house to
do 1t, is it any the less dishonoraDle for
the executive of the state to do it? That
he did it admits of no possible denial.
The Pioneer Press of the morning of
the 23d contained, in series of COM
municatious between the governor and
the state auditor, letter without date
from the governor to tine auditor. In.
curry the next morning at the governors
office of his secretary, who has charge
OF his correspondence. shows that no
such letter had been officially written.
Mr.. BIermann had not received 1t. The
governors secretary explained that the
governor often wrote letters himself
and mailed them without the interview
>
probably done so in this case.
With The 8 O'Clock afternoon delivery
OF the mail. the carrier brought this let
ter to Mr.. Biermann, the envelope bear.
ing the st. Paul pOstmark showing it
to have been deposited in the Office that
day at p. m. The letter was type
written and copied, and was still damp
naH Inv
the auditor. and the letter bore the date
OF Oct. Is. eight days before.
This is not moInentouS matter in
itself, and is only valuable as showing
the character of the man and his will
-ingness to resort TO petty and shallow
receptions. Little acts are just as val
liable to measure the character Of a
man as are his greater deeds. 1t is not
necessary that man commit some
great crime or be guilty of some moral
dereliction SO fragrant as to shock the
moral sense of community In order
that his moral character be read Alright.
A little act like this instance of this let
ter is complete index to the character
of the man.
In view of this illustration of Gov.
Nelson's conception of business conduct
and Of his completely in the conspiracy
to give to the Great Northern the values
that belong 10 the state. the Republican
papers in very shame should cease sing
ing their doleful walls over any possible
inj ury to business by the success of the
Democratic patty, or even of the Popu-
list party.