Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-08-02
Lind WAS TURNED DOWN
The State Railroad Commits.
SlOn Re-e1eCtS Grain
Inspector C1ausen.
1t is Now Hinted That Mr.. Becker
Will be Deposed From the
Commits sion.

From the Minneapolis Times July27.
Chief Grain Inspector A. C.. Clausen
was yesterday reelected by the state
railroad and warehouse commission
ers. Their action was a startling sur
prise to the state administration. It
was the severest blow Gov. Lind had
received since assuming office, and he
felt it keenly.
II shall make a formal protest
against his election,' said he on
hearing of it.
He at once sat down at his desk and
started to prepare an expression for
the members of the commission and
for the press, but on second thought
decided to wait: He refused to discuss
the matter afterwards, stating that he
has nothing to say.
The state departments have not been
so stirred since the new administratio n
took office. Apparently everybody
yesterday was ''in the air." and those
friendly to the state executive were
emphatic in their criticism of the COM
mission. One official, who stands as
close to the governor as any one in
the state, predicted that "the fur
would fly"
On being questioned as to the mean
ing of his statement he said: ''The
law governing the commission is very
explicit. He procured copy of the
statutes and turning to the section
prescribing the duties of the commits
sion, said, "Read that.''
His finger traced the paragraph
which states that the governor may
remove any member OF the commission
for inefficiency or neglect of duty A
smile broke over his face.
"Mind you,'' said he, 81 do not
want to be quoted, but my reasons for
a guess are better, perhaps, than
yours. The fur will fly before this
matter is settled.'
Becker is Blamed.
The wrath of Clausen's opponents
centered on General Becker. It was
through his vote that the election of
Clausen was made possible. When
the commission decided to act on the
chief grain inspectorship, Commits
sioner Ringdahl nominated former
Senator Reishus, of Lyon county.
Judge Mills nominated A. G.. Clausen.
1t developed that Ringdahl stood
alone. Becker voted with Mills, and
Clausen was reelected.
Commissioner Ringdahl represents
the populists; Becker stands for the
old-time democrats, and Mills is re.
publican. Clausen is also a repub.
lican. This analysis explains the
bitter humiliation felt by the fusion
forces. Had their representatives
stood together as was anticipated
Reishus would have been elected by
the same majority that Clausen re.
ceived.
The motives which combined to in.
sure Clausen's reelection have beer
variously explained. The state ad
ministration firmly counted on Beck.
er's aid. 1t had been claimed thai
there was an understanding to tha
effect made some months ago, wher
Clausen was retained until August
"to please Becker" when the latter
would, it is said, support Ringdahl il
his nomination. This story was de-
MED yesterday by democratic state
official, but affirmed by second, who
is equally as close to the state ex
ecutive.
The chagrin felt over the outcome i;
the better appreciated when it is re
called that the fusion forces made the
grain inspection department. one O
their chief issues in the late campaign
Members of the democratic state cen
trail committee state that the votes o
thousands Of farmers we're thrown tt
Lind on the strength of his promises
of a change. So effective was tn,
canvass that many republicans joinet
the fusion speakers in an expression O
their willingness to "clear out any de
fects in grain inspection and to assen
to needful changes" Especially wer
the populist voters bitter agains
Clausen, and in the selection of Refs
hus for the position it is thought tina
Lind saw an opportunity to solidif
all elements of the fusion forces.
That there Was some Understandable
regarding Reishns between the gov
ernor and General Becker is believe
by many. There has been friction be
tween them in the past, but it was re
Gently reported that they had ''gotte
together" again. Shortly after tina
report came the news that Reishus wa
to succeed Clausen. If that was true
it is evident from the vote of the vel
eran members of the commission tina
they are not now in complete har
mony. '..... 81. .@>.e. .s...
Did C1ausen> Help Lind?
| Republicans yesterday asserted tina
Il Clausen's retention was more agree