The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1894-09-27
A Sensible suggestion.


American citizens, to again select repre-
sentative men to look after the interests
ofthe people, and all of the people. in
the different branches of our government,
in congress as, we'll as in the state
legislature, also county affairs, and it
may not be amiss now to examine into
and consider the importance of the duty.
1t is said by many, and perhaps not
without reason, that our country has
yet to pass through its severest test,
and if such be the case, while none of us
believe but what we will be equal to the
occasion # it eyer comes, yet is well that
we should so act and so shape matters
that If the test ever does come we will be
doublv secure. 1t is not always we'll to
be blinded by too great feeling of Sc
curity, but better be on the alert and by
the good results that usually flow from
conseryatismand forethought to be in a
position to more successfully grapple
with every future question, whatever its
nature, and speedily, safely and securely
dispose of it.
To my mind one OF the most important
matters to which our attention should
now be turned. especially as the election
is not far off, is the selection of proper
and competent men to fill important
positions, and especially those who are
elected to enact, amend or repeal our
laws, which should be done with the
greatest possible care and intelligence,
so that they will bear equally on all
classes, if such there be among us. But
the terms classes is only used here as a
matter of convenience, as it is not sup.
posed there are classes in American
citizenship-that there may be no class
legislation enacted in future, as it is the
most dangerous of all.
We are given to boasting of our in
telligence. Perhaps it would be well to
say less about it and strive for more OF
it still we claim to be and are as
whole an intelligent people, but do our
acts and the results that flow from it
always indicate it? We boast OF our
learning. of our public schools and Uni
versities, and our facilities for learning
and imparting knowledge, and happily
not uuustly and without cause, but do
we always act as people possessing and
awaiting ourselves of such advantages.
1t would seem that the vital question
before us now is, do we of Stearns coun-
ty always send cur best men to repre-
sent us? l think the answer must be
that we do not at least have not done
so in the past and if not there is no
better time to begin than the present
1t is not intended here to reproach any
political party or individual, nor Is it
intended to inaugurate a so-called
reform Movement" among ourselves,
that may be productive OF even worse
than we have. as is sometimes the case.
We will assume that we all know a
good thing when we see it, and that we
know enough to let we'll enough alone,
and if the above question can be
answered by all of us in the affirmative,
we'll and good, but if not then let us try
and begin now and make change.
1t may be observed that in our state
and national matters our laws are based
and grounded on the constitution, which
was handed down to us by our ancestors
that we might live under it and enjoy
it's blessings and the rights guaranteed
us Hereunder and enact such laws, not
in conflict Herewith, from time to time,
as our necessities, customs and habits
require, and to preserve it and inturn
hand it to our children, imposing on
them at the same time the same duties
that were required of us and which it is
to be hoped we fully, eonscientiously
and intelligently performed. Now. in
order to properly guard our consti-
tuition, and to secure DISQUALIFICATION
thereqnder, not in conflict with it. it
seems to me that it is absolutely neces-
sary that we elect men to enact our laws
who understand the constitution on
whic1 the laws so enacted, are
groun led, men who have made it a
study, men of intelligence, ability and
integrity, men who understand and
know the existing laws and their effect
on the people and the state and whether
they shond be amended, and if so how
far and what will be the effect of the
proposed law to take the place of the
one repealed or amended.
1t may be safely asserted, without
fear of contradiction, and even laid
down as principle that apprenticeship
is necessary to almost any art or science.
A long course of reading and study is
required to form the school teacher, the
professor. the lawyer, physician, mini
ster, banker and many others; even the
carpenter, blacksmith and other trades.
men, must begin by first learning the
trade and afterwards practicing it by
hard, laborious and close attention
and study. Even the laborer requires
study to intelltgentiy give effect to his
efforts. Logically, is it not then appa-
rent that men elected to pass new laws
and to repeal or amend existing laws,
should possess a thorough acquaintance
with and knowledge of the constitution
and OF the subject matter OF their labors,
OF the most searching and extensive
nature matter Of the highest science,
diligence and reflection. which no repre-
sentative man can afford to be without,
nor can the constituency which elects
him, nor the state and nation at large
afford to send man not possessing
such knowledge. Has Stearns coun-
ty always insisted upon such
knowledge in part, or in whole. or