The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-04-29
REDUCTION OF SALARIES.
1.-The Oficial Pie Counter"

Editor Representative:
The virgin stock in trade of the clacQuers
and hrelngs of old party politicians is:
What would we gain by supporting the
Populist? Would not your candidates, if
elected to office, take all the law allows
them?"
1 find the following resolution in that
grand middle in the road" Southern
Mercury" of Dallas, Tex. eve favor
reduction of the salaries of all state and
county officers from % to so per cent. and
will not support any candidate for the leg
isla ture or congress who is not strictly in
favor of economy"
Gov. Gibbs, of Texas, in his RED Hot
Shots" says: THE Populist might cause
people to find out that just as efficient Off
GERS could, be obtained for one-half the
present salaries" and again., IF this
movement goes after all the offices, state
and county. it will be because they are
used as the snews of war by the party in
power. and they will capture them under
a pledge to make them live on less ra-
TONS" If that doctrine is good policy in
Texas, why should it not be equally so in
Minnesota or any other state? At present
it is one Of the most vulnerable points on
which we can tackle the enemy's strong
hold.
The LIE Sueur county financial statement
for the year ending Dec. 81. 1895, gives the
sum of S11, SO7.0S as expended for salaries
and fees of county officers. and of course
the pickngs and pay for special service"
is not included in this amount.
There is not an intelligent voter in the
county but what realizes that those sal
aries are expensive, and out Of all proper
ton Of the earnings Of even the best sit
uated farmers.
Some of the officers themselves admit
that the work of the Offices can be per-
formed for much less money, but contend
that they are justified in taking all the law
will allow them, because it costs so much
to get elected.
Politics in this county is rotten to the
core. A prominent Democrat tic politician
Informed me two years ago that there had
not been any political differences in LIE
Sueur county for Is years. and that the
offices had been apportioned during all that
time by bosses of both parties. At the
last election the Democrats and Republic
an candidates for county auditor entered
into a compact, that, whoever was elected
must employ the other as deputy, thereby
making sure Of the game and comforta-
BILE income for each. far better than any
farmer in the county enjoys.
OF course that was not fusion" Pops
are the only ones that fuse
We have advocated a reduction of sal
aries Ito a gold basis" proportionate with
the reduced earnings of the farmers ever
since 1890, as also the two term" of
mot longer than four years." Of continu
Gus occupation of the same office, to guard
against corruption and an office-holding
aristocracy.
Those principles have everytime been
met by the most determined opposition.
ridicule, abuse and persecution, and have
been admitted as dangerous agitation"
if pushed in a systematic campaign" l
hope that this will receive thorough dis
cussion in the Representative to make it
an issue all along the line, and call upon.
Brother H. V. Poore to give us Renvflle
county's method Of doing business in that
movement I also hope that you will find
space to publish the enclosed brilliant
passages from Gov. Gibbs articles; no.
BILE sentiments Of an ex-Confederate SOL
der. Peter Shippman.
LIE Sueur Center, MINI.