The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-07-10

ness, and in others from corrupt motives
or undue influences. Yet such has not
been the fact In every case.
1t cannot be said that we are in any
sense actuated by a partisan spirit when
we specifically charge that the Republic
can party is responsible for this state Of
affairs, since it cannot be denied that for
many years the whole machinery OF the
state has been in the hands Of that party;
hence it could at any time have compelled
an enforcement of the law.
Unfortunately for the good of the state
the criminal element have been too long
in the ascendancy. Worming their way
at times, perchance, into the governors
chair, our legislative halls, our churches,
our schools, and by this means have con-
tinually cheated. defrauded and robbed,
without let or hindrance, our school and
educational funds. making their pernicious
influences felt wherever their hypocritical
countenances, unbounded impudence and
lying statements would be tolerated or
believed; and it mattered little to some
by what means their ends were accom-
plished.
Undoubtedly there have been brave and
honest officials selected in individual cases
but the fact remains that in far too many
cases have officials persistently, wilfully,
and it is feared corruptly violated the law
and their oaths.
At this, the outset Of new administra-
ton, Republican like its predecessors, we
make in behalf of the people Of the state
the following demands for official action
hereby rendering all assistance in our
power to the end that said officials may
not be prejudged and that they and the
Republican party may place themselves
actively on record as the advocates and
actors in a rigid administration of the
laws.
list. We demand that the Governor,
State Auditor and Attorney General shall
take immediate steps to tax all railroad
lands now as we'll as for back taxes.
End. We demand that the same Off
Gals take immediate and decided steps to
put stop to the rape Of the schools, edu-
cational and university fund, and that
those who have heretofore been guilty Of
perpetrating the dastardly crimes against
said funds be prosecuted civilly and Grim
| inally, even if in so doing it becomes nee
essary to send an ex-governor or two to
| convicts cell.
3rd. We demand that the same par
| ties take immediate steps to recover for
| the funds last named about 100000 acres
or $4,000, 900 worth of land illegally and
! fraudulently claimed by the Duluth and
| Iron Range Railroad Company.
4th. We demand that the Governor,
| ATTORNEY General and Public Examiner
cause rigid examination to be made of
all the alleged financial concerns operat-
| ing in this state, to the end that all crime
breeding, fraud laden, forgery Matching,
| swindling concerns may be closed out, and
that their guilty, hypocritical, thieving
managers be sent to state prison, even at
| the risk of depopulating the Flour City OF
| it's alleged respectable elements, and
/ though it should be shown that Pigs Eye
man and a coal combine attorney had
some connection Herewith.
| The people Of this state are determined
! that the railroad companies shall for once
| at least, bend their necks in obedience tc
the commands of law and the will of the
| masses. Too long have they submitted te
the railroad and corporation juggernaut
the wheels of whose car for 10 these many
years they and their liberties have been
| ruthlessly crushed. For twenty years
they have asked for bread and received q
stone, till as a steady diet this particular
class of edibles has caused such severe
attack Of indigestion that even the rail.
road and corporation hackers are getting
afraid lest they have overloaded the stom
ach of the (m) asses, the multitude.
Under these circumstances It will be
readily seen that the first step these rail
roads will take will be to cause to be in
stituted certain proceedings. Nominally
to enforce the collection of q tax on tn,
lands and property Of these companies
but with the ultimate object Of defeating
the same by means of an incompetent
insecure or collusive prosecution of SOM
test action.
Indeed it is said that in one county al
action is now pending involving the RICH
to tax Manitoba lands, but it Is doubtful
whether such action will be Of any avail
in the particular case, because the count,
attorney is said to have stipulated him
self out of court.
County attorneys must bear in min
| two things:
list. That the Manitoba secured it
lease Of road and lands under sale on
| decree of foreclosure, hence acquired from
the old St. Paul & Pacific only such a it'll
| thereto as the said company could law
fully convey and the necessary power
and privileges incident to the running O
railroad
Exemption from taxation was not sue
a power or privilege and could not law
fully pass by any such sale.
End. That assuming the Manitoba ha
| ever acquired any such right to immunit
from taxation, 1t forever voluntarily for
feited, waived, relinquished, abandoned
j and surrendered the same in February
1890. by a lease of all its lines OF road t
the Great Northern for 999 years, sine
which time said Manitoba has had n
gross earnings and paid no tax whatever
It is a familiar rule Of law that the la,
does not ask man to do a vain thing
hence when in order to maintain an &C
ton a certain allegation Of demand an
refusal is deemed essential, the making 9
such demand is excused IL from the paper
in the case it appears that such deman
would have been Intellectual or mer
1 farce-a vain proceeding.
Now to make a practical application {
this rule. The St. Paul, Minneapolis
Manitoba, under the law and by its cor
tract with the state, was bound an
| agreed to nav annually to the state a eel