The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-31

Country Needed Men-SiisfOr-
Ambition to Succeed.
That John Lind, after being for
twenty years in public life in this
state, should be twice nominated by
two of its political party organizations
for the highest office it can honor him
with is not a small tribute to a man
whom his closest intimates insist de-
serves it Well
That the second of these nominations
came, not only actually unsolicited,
but after he had accepted a commission
in the army and while he was a thou
sand miles away, awaiting the eXig-
encieS of his country, but accentuates
the confidence which is reposed in The
nominee of the Democratic and Peoples
parties by the people who have watch
ed his course since he has come to this
state.
OF John Lind it may truly be said
that he has risen to his present posi-
ton through his own untiring industry
and uncOnQuerable ambition. The te-
nacity which characteriZes the race of
which he comes has kept him to the
front in a battle for place against re-
verses and misfortunes that might well
have discouraged a less persistent
fighter Yet with this aggressive pur-
pose Mr.. Lind Has combined a genial
personality, an earnest, consistent and
conSiderate regard for the interests Of
his fellow men, a versatility of talent
and a breadth OF observation and
study that have made him at onca
the chosen champion of thousands of
his own political faith, ard the init
mate and respected friend of many
whose political beliefs are diametr:cal
ly opposed to his own.
John Lind was born in 1854 at Kama,
Smaland, Sweden. His parents were
not we'll provided with the luxuries of
the world and the elder Lind deter
mined to abandon mis- native country
for America, in the hope of doing bet
ter. The outlook was dark at first.
Young John, compelled from the out
set to help in the support of the fam
lily. which had settled in Goodhue
county, this state, lost his left arm
in an unfortunate accident. But in just
such measure as this calamity made
1t difficult for the boy TO make his
way in the world physically, he was so
much the more insiStent on fitting him.
self to be a useful member of society.
Working at such employment as he
might, handicapped as he was, and at
opportunity, at sixteen years of age
he was rewarded with teachers Ger
ti.cate.
Sibley county, this state, was the
theater of the young mans first public
service in this modest capacity. In
those days the rewards of the teacher
were not munificent, nor his comforts
excessive, but the young man taught
the young idea how to shoot for one
~ CT h. 10
Ulm, which has since been his home.
LAWYER AT TWENTY-FIVE.
In 1875 and 1876 he attended the Uni
versity Of Minnesota. He had in mind
then the practice of law. Studying
privately as he had had opportunities
and availing himself of the privilege
of studying in the office of New Ulm
practitioner, the young man was well
enough equipped to be admitted to the
bar the same year he left the uni
VeTsity He was then twenty two
years of age. He did not hang out
his single" separately, however, I'M
til year later. That same year. too,
trained as teacher and as a lawyer,
he branched out little in politics, and
was elected superintendent of schools
OF Brown county, position which he
held for two years. He was offered a
denomination, but declined it. 1t seems
that the Increasing opportunities for
and demands on a hustling young at
torrey had so increased that the young
man could not longer content himself
In the more or less hum-drum harness
OF the educational work, however much
he might have been interested in the
development of the youthful minds
about him.
In 1881, under the Garheld-Arthur
administration, for then Mr. Lind's Re-
puhlicanism was unquestioned, he was
appointed receiver of the land office
at Tracy, position he held until the
advent of the Democratic administra-
ton.
The labors of this office did not pre-
vent Mr. Lind from continuing in the
practice of his profession, and in the
fast development of that rapidly set
Ting country, there was an abundance
of opportunities for the legal fraternity.
Mr.. Lind displayed marked talent, and
soon became prominent in the state
bar. He conducted a number of i'm
portant cases against various railroad
companies with signal success.
Men in and out of his own profession
spread his name beyond his own COM
munity. His eloquence and personal
magnetism and his excellent qualities
found him a wider field in politics.
gress, representing the old Second dis
trict. comprising practically all of what
is generally known as Southwestern
Minnesota. In this campaign, which
was one of the hardest fought in the
history of the state, being the year
in which DIR. Ames came within a few
hundred votes of being elected, If, in
deed. he was not counted out in North
ern Minnesota. Mr.. Lind demonstrated
his ability not only on the stump, but
as a political organizer, and so we'll
did he serve his constituency during
his first session that two years later
he was not only renomlnated but was
elected by a magnificent majority, in
spite of the fact that his Democratic
opponent was Col. Morton S. Wilkin-
son. veteran in Minnesota politics
from territorial days and one Of the
most popular men in the district.
Wilkinson had represented the old
First district in congress from 1869 to
1871 when Minnesota only had three
representatives in the lower house. He
knew all the politicians and nearly all
the other people in the state at one
time, and he was still redoubta BILE
adversary for his much younger rival.
HIS LEGISLATIVE WORK.
In the fight on the Mills tariff bill,
Mr.. Lind's position was at variance
With many of the leaders of his party,
but he took the ground that a number
of the changes embodied in this meas
ure were conducive of the best inter-
ests of the people of Minnesota, wheth-
er or not they conformed strictly to
party professions on general lines He
introduced and secured the passing
of a bill permitting all foreign books
not published in England to be i'm
ported free of duty, thus giving people
OF foreign birth or ancestry, as we'll as
Americans of linguistic attachments,