The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-08-03


But now comes the astonishing
phase of,the situation. After the
resignation Gov. Lind gave out to
the public press the following care
fully drawn statement-on one of the
most remarkable confessions of
rank partisanship conceivable:
Mr.. Clausen called at the capitol
Saturday afternoon. He stated to me
in substance that he had labered hard
for many years and as he felt, success
fully, to esta blish Minnesota wheat on
a sound basis in the markets of the
world; that it had been . difficult task
to administer the inspection system
satisfactorily, and that it would con
tinue SO, Notwithstanding the fact that
justice and fair treatment had been ac-
corded all interests. That whilo he
was conscious of having done his duty
and gratifed to have the approval of
his work by the commission as evil
denced by his reappointment, he did
not feel disposed to continue in the
service without feeling that it was my
wish that he should remain. For, he
said, it is difficult enough to do the
work in this department withthe Coop
GRAFTON of the executive. That he had
accordingly concluded to resign, not;
withstanding the action of the commits
sioners and their expressed desire that
he should continue.
He further assured me that he stood
ready to aid his successor in familiar
izing himself with the duties of the
position and to render him any other.
service In his power.
Mr.. Clausen's action in resigning
may have been q surprise to the COM
mission, but it was not to me. | ex-
pected that it would be forthcoming.
I have had no communication with
him since last March, but I reasoned,
and, as it proved, rightly, that q man
of his recognized ability and exper-
fence in handling grain could not
afford to continue in a position where
he was not wanted. While he has been
severely criticised, the fact remains
that he is regarded as one of the ablest
If not the ablest, wheat man in the
United States today. The position
that he has occupied is, al he says, q
difficult one. No one holding it can
escape criticism. I do not expect that
his successor will be able to. The
chief inspector has to answer not only
for his own mistakes, if he make any,
but for the errors of a large force of
subordinates, and worst of all, he is
made the s%capegoat of the local buyers.
It is the easiest thing in the world for
them to throw the blame on the inspec-
tion department when the farmers are
dissatisfied with the local grading. l.
am hopeful, however, that with the es-
Establishment of the boards of appeal
and careful supervision of the local
buyers, the farmers will have little
cause to complain hereafter.
Mr.. Lind unequivocally says that
Mr.. Clausen is the best wheat man
in the WorId-but Minnesota does
Mt want that kind of ability; and
Furthermore, that his administration
has been all right-but MI. Lind
doesn't want that sort of an admin
istration. In other words, Mr.. Lind
says he is capable and honest, but
capability and honesty are second
airy considerations to populism and
democracy in this office, which
ought to be, above all others, be-
|yond party considerations.
If this be a specimen of MI.
Lind's political honesty and dis
cretion, he is a good man to defeat.
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