The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-08-03
GOV. LIND Assn MIR. cHAusES.

The chief executive of the state,
Hon. John Lind, has contributed a
chapter to the history of his admin
istration which reflects little credit
upon him-and materially strength
ems the Republican party, in that
Mr.. Lind practically c%onfeSses that
the charges against the chief in
spsstof OF tho graia department. Of
tais state are false--that the de,
partment has been honestly and
efficiently administered. 1t will be
remembered that Mr.. Lipd's candi-
dacY two years ago was urged up
on the ground that the grain in
spection department was neither
honestly nor intelligently conduct
ed, and that Mr.. Lind's election
meant a. reform in a bureau in
which the farmers were deeply in
terested, Mr.. Lind was pledged to
this reform. On Saturday last the
question of electing a successor to
A. c. ClauSen, who has been chief
grain inspector for fifteen years, and
who built up the system, came up
before the Grain and Warehouse
commission, whose duty it is to
elect this officer. Much to the dis
gust of Mr.. Lind and his fellow
fusion politicians, General Becker,
a life long democrat, and Judge
Mills, a republican, voted to retain
Mr.. Ciausen, Nj. Ringdahl voting
for Senator Reishus, Mr.. Lind's
pledged candidate Thereby re-
electing him. And then there was
trouble. 1t was declared that Gov.
Lind would take the law in his own
hands and remove Gen. Becker in
order to reverse the decision of the
commission. It was also siad that
Gen. Becker had promised thegoV-
ernor to vote for some one other
than Mr.. Clausen. This the Gen
eral denied and the Governor did
not affirm, although free to express
his surprise and disgust. In ex-
PLANTATION of his vote the General
said that he had the utmost conf.
dence in Mr.. Clausen's integrity
and ability and thought he ought
to be retained on that account.
A conference was held on Satur-
day between Gov. Lind and Mr..
Ciausen in which the former told
the latter that he could not have his
support in the administration of the
affairs of the office. Mr.. Clausen
thersupon concluded to resign and
made the following statement:
There was nothing left for me to do
but to resign. The Office is a very i'm
portant one and in order to carry out
its duties one must have the hearty
support of all connected even remotely
with its Administrations. When I
found that Gov, Lind could not con
5oientiously give me his support and
cooperation I: decided that there was
no use. of my attempting to discharge
the duties of the position. I went to
see Gov. Lind and told him just where
| stood. I told him that if he would
cooperate in the work of the depart
sent, / would try to fulfill the duties
OF the Office to the best of my ability.
But if he could not see his way clear
TO do this ] would offer investigation
to the commission. He replied that
under the circumstances he could not
do so and I returned to my Office and
turned in my resignation. That is all
there is to it.
He then addressed the following
letter to the commission, stating his
reasons:
MR.. CLAUsEN TO THE COMMISSION.
Office of Chief Inspector of Grain, st. Paul
Mimi, July 20, 1ss9.-The Railroad and Ware
house Commission, ST. Paul, Minn.-Gentle-
men; ! herewith respectfully tender my
resignation as chief inspector of grain, to
a k effect at the end of the crop year, July
81, 1899.
Ia taking this action / wish to assure your
honorable board that it is done only after
careful deliberation and with the full CON
viction that it is the only wise and consistent
course to pursue under existing conditions.
The work of this office is extremely ardu-
Gus and e~xacting even under the most favor
able circumstances. Without the cordial
support of the states executive, l am salts.
fed that it canno be successfully admins
tered.
After a conference with the governor, dur
ing which the whole subject was carefully
considered. it became evident that he could
not consistently extend that support and
sympathy which would be necessary to in
sure a satisfactory administration of this
Office at my hands.
What MY action would be in the event Of
such a contingency has been thoroughly
understood by my immediate friends for
several weeks. Much as / might desire to
continue with the department in view of your
loyal and generous support. which was man
ifested in my recent reappointment, l am
firmly convinced that it would be not only
nnwise but unjust to myself and to you to
undertake to do SO, in view of the situation
presented.
During the fifteen years of my connection
with this department / have endeavored to
discharge my duty honestly and impartially
without fear or favor. Iregret that my adj
ministration has not met the approval of all
parties or at all times, although that is the
ideal which 1 have endeavored to approx
mate.