The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-24
USE MINNESOTA STONE.
When Minnesota WOrkingmen Need
the WOrk, Says Another Corre-
SpOndent.

To the Editor of the Globe
In these days OF poverty, with worthy labor
ing men seeking employment in vain,- with
families facing the coming fall and winter in
fear and trembling, merchants and espe-
cially the retailers, making herculean efforts
to fight off that grim monster bankruptcy,
and still with humanitarian sympathy at
tempting TO carry the unemployed, is it any
wonder we all turn our attention to the state
capitol commission when runners current
that there is a possibility, even remote it
may be, that our laboring men and our me-
chanics, bearing as they DO heavy share of
taxation, may be ignored in the construc-
ton of the capitol building at St Paul and that
contracts for material may be given outside
the state? The time has come for a healthy
public sentiment The business and laboring
men of proud Minnesota are not mendi-
cants, but free, able-bodied, intellectual and
capable citizens, jealous of their opportuni-
ties and at all times willing to give in ex-
change the best they have at their COM
mand.
No one will attempt to say that Minnesota
cannot furnish stone other material equal
in quality, style, durability or adaptability
to that of any other state. And certainly I
shall not have to argue the status of our
business and laboring men relative to abil-
ity and intellectual or physical capacity.
Then why should our great commission, COM
posed of brainy, patriotic and able business
men and manufacturers, need urging to stand
by and carry out the far-seeing suggestion
to protect state interests" Let that be the
slogan from now henceforth. Away with
home and aid those who compelled
through taxation to furnish the means where
by public Improvements are made.
Speaking of Bedford stone (singling 1t out
as the most dangerous competitor) l simply
ask: why should it be favored?' A prod
uct of Indiana, quarried and hewn by ma
chinery, brought here by railroads and laid
on the ground ready to be placed in the wall
and then only at a cost equal to the best
Minnesota stone.
No one is benefited in our state and COM
aroti ua1v fnv oil yharp opd Of
all candor-is such stone equal to the product
of Minnesota? Awaiting answer, methinks
| can hear from all sides all sections and
from all classes throughout Minnesota. the
one reply: Bedford cannot be compared with
our own Minnesota stone.
Now. Nh. Editor, you have a duty to per-
form, raise the cry at once, and see to it
that our honorable board of state house
commissioners use Minnesota stone brick.
lumber and all other materials produced
within the state, and do it upon the sole
basis that no state can furnish material of
better quality. fact none will dispute sue
cessfully, and l feel satisfied that in so
doing you will see a state building composed
of Minnesota material, constructed bv Min
nesota men, an honor to the state the nride
of the cities and last, but not least, means
provided by which our many laboring men
and mechanics will be, enabled through honest
labor to provide for themselves and families
and to keep the gaunt wolf from the door
| the coming fall and winter, enable hundreds
of retailers to collect their little bills start
up hundreds of mills, "Quarries brick wards
shops and other lines of trade now languish,
ing in the slough of despond.
On every hand you will find laborng men
business and professional men demanding
justice at the hands Of the state capitol COM
mission, and that Minnesota materials and
Minnesota labor be used and that in their
position Of honor and trust the commission
should remember that they hold within them
selves power confided in the belief that the
interests of Minnesota should be protected
not in party platforms and glittering general
festations, and in SO doing they will be long
remembered with honor and respect by all
Mnnesotans as board who dared to do
right who listened to the appeals of the
common people and who, by fortitude and
justice, demonstrated that the slogan, PRO
lection. to Home Industry was a principle
| trade and commerce Respectfully yours,
John Swift.