The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-02-15

ers' Alliance; and besides he owns and con-
ducts personally the largest farm in South
ern Minnesota, or perhaps in the entire
state. He Is a ,arge farmer, raising annual
ly from $1,000 to &c., COO bushels of grain
More than that. he is a representative man
OF the people; from the fact that he came
here as poor boy without dollar in his
pocket, with no capital but his bare hands,
and from that humble position he has lifted
himself to his present proud standing in the
world. He has house upon that farm that
your honor would be proud to live; he is
esteemed by his neighbors and all who
know him. He has proved faithful to every
trust confided in him.
1t would be a source of qualification to the
Farmers Alliance, and to all the farmers
II you could make him a member Of that
board: we would feel that we had a man
there who was an actual farmer and would
faithfully represent our interests.
Now 1 know not what disposition you, as
governor may make of this question. We
have no right to dictate this appointment
but we have received a hint that you had
In mind to appoint on that board a gentle
man who manufactures tombstones Nos
we have objection to this man PERSONAL
ly; SO far we know ne is worthy per-
sonage. But the industry of tOmbstoneS is
not an extensive guild, and has no relation
whatever to the farmer and his interests. 1t
may help to plant the seeds Of Immortality
in the graveyards Of the state, to grow an
it has no connection with the agricultural
interests OF the state.
Now l Will go one step further and say
that there is one other board in which we
are greatly interested. l refer to the state
PRISON board. l do not believe there Is an
actual farmer on that board, nor has there
been one for years. In this too we reel
that the farmer has not been fairly treated
This state prison manufactures a large
part of the Irvine used in this state as pro-
h v,tr III
do with the passage of the act myself, ana
had many battles with it's opponents. We
fought the Irvine trusts to get cheaper tWlne
for the farmers. At that time twine was
sold for II to 20 cents per pound by the trust
They had the farmer by the throat We es-
tab.ished that plant and broke down the
price OF Irvine to cents.
Now this past year the board proceeded to
sell almost the entire output OF tWlne 10
dealers; and the Irvine that sold to farmers
in 1897 for cents sold in 1898 for T. 10 and Il
cents per pound.
Now the point that this hinges on is the
board of prison inspectors. My opinion Is
that the majority of that board should con-
sist of practical farmers.
We viii name no particular Tlen for the
board, but If you desire we can do so. AS
they say in New England, there are dea-
cons and deacons," and so there are farmers
and farmers. There are farmers who are
patriots and philanthrop1sts and honest men,
and there are farmers who are the biggest
scala wags that God ever permitted to exist
on this planet. Your appointees should be
those who are in full sympathy with the
farming class.
Now We call these matters to your atten-
ton, believing that you are about to estab-
lish reform administration and bring to
the state many needed changes.
Another matter in which we are greatly in
terested is the state board of equalization,
with which rests the question of fairly ad-
justing the burdens of taxation.
You are aware that there has been much
discomfort as to this subject. 1t is a familiar
saying that the farmers COW. the farmers
pig. his grain his binder and his chattels of
all kinds are open to inspection: he cannot
hide them While, when We come to the cit
les, we find an immense amount of wealth
hidden out of sight thereby increasing the
, taxes on the property of others. Now there
is strong tendency for men to take adj
vantage of each other. The farmer cannot
elect men to come here and represent him
and his interests Now we ask you to place
a representative, the best farmer you can
find in the state, a man of intelligence and
honesty, on that board, that the interest
of this class can be protected, and have no
fear but that your administration will be
upheld, and where such action on YOUR part
is attacked or questioned, we shall defend
you; and all we ask in return is that you
will recognize the rights of the great
body of men who raise the crops, create
the wealth, pay the taxes, and foot the bills
of the state.
GOV LIND REPLIES
In response to Mr.. Donnely's address
, Gov. Lind spoke as follows:
Mr.. Donnelly and Gentlemen: I hope you
do not expect any formal expression or ref
erence at my hands; you take me by sur
prise for one thing. and besides, it is only
few hours since I expressed my convc-
tons fully on this question: but assure you
that 1 appreciate your call; I appreciate
the cause and interest you represent, as
we'll as because many Of the men here are
my personal friends; there are here in this
room men to whom I have been under polit-
ical and personal obligations at some period
or other in the past, and you are welcome.
Now, in regard to the questions you have
so ably presented: So far as the railroad
and warehouse commissioner Is concerned
that place has been filled. l sent in the
name Of the gentlemen to whom you evil
IDENTIFY referred in your remarks The same
is true of the vacancy-the only vacancy to
occur within the year-that on the state