The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-23
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GOV. CLOUGH is CALM.
He Does Not Know, or Care, But
Sleeps Peacefully.


"As am not charged with dishonesty,
or sharp dealing in this bill Of conf
plaint," said Gov. Ciough to a reporter
for the G 10 last evening, "I fail
to see why I should attempt any de-.
tense at this time. The campaign COM
nlittee of the opposition party is COM
posed OF pretty bright people, but they.
are barking up the wrong tree for a
sensation this time. That Is all I can
tell you about the matter at this time.
Come to my Office at the capitol, and,
maybe If I have time, I will tell the
= 0 pe more about the Hastings Il
Dakota land cases."
At first Gov. Clcugh declared he knew
nothing about the matter, and although
copy of the document which has beer
prepared by the Democrats for distrf-
button in the state was rendered. he re-
fused to read it-said the light was had
and ne didn't want to know anything
about the matter ANYWAY Thor IL
asked:
DO they charge me with dishonesty
Let me read" Then the light suddenly
grew better, and the executive scanned
the circular. mo, they dc not say that
| have transgressed the law or ex-
eeeded my prerogative. That's ali
right But don't remember anything
Office in st. Paul" W
1t is limited that you knew the bill
forbidding you to deed the lands "a
Russell Sage would pass both house
and senate. and that you made haste.
owing to outside pressure. to deed the
How the dickens do these fellow.
KNOW what knew at that time. when
l don't even know myself what han-
pened and what I did: what bills
signed. and why did so, at that re-
mote date? Maybe they're mind read
ers-think so?"
Then, too 1t Is said that YOU sought
to conceal the fact that the lands were
no longer the property of the state bv
signing the law, instead of vetofng r.
or sending word to the legislature ~
the effect the measure was value-
"I had right to sign that deed
didn't [? The law passed restrainine
the governor from deciding the protI-
erty was S1gend by me after the nros,-
erty had passed from the ownership ~
the state. Wasn't 1t? But wish Won
would come to my Office In the capttoI
and can talk to you more intellipent1y
on this subject. L don't know a, blessed
tnlng ABOUT 1t now. All am certain
or is there was nothing crooked or nm
demanded. and IL you can get at the
Iacts you will be assured Of that
may look this matter up-perhaps to-
morrow, perhaps some other time and
%
inside facts" 'e
The charge by inference that there
was coilusion between yourself and the
agents Of Russell Sage to secure cor
troll of the lands before the measure
: Iornldding you to deed to Sage the
lands became law, is serious enough
for public statement, isn't it"
Well. some people might think 90
But L don't care what the Democrats
say SO long as they do not charge me
with dishonesty. I hope they will send
th1s story all over the state I hope
every voter will receive copy Of This
letter. Then my turn will come. No
L cannot say now what I will do. How
can when do not even know what ali
this fuss Is about? Come to my office at
the capitol. II have time, maybe,
VIII give further light on the matter
And this is all the governor Womb
say. except to remark that the Demo-
Gratis are off their cabase" If he was
annoyed or worried nothing in his
manner or conversation (see supra1
gave indication of mental disturhanc.
over the allegations brought to his no-
tice. '' M