The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-22
REPLY TO FAY.
A Cambridge Man Replies to Mid
Road POPuIist.

To the Editor of the Globe:
AS the Representative sent out marked
copies all over the county which con-
tanned Fay's criticism on my article in
will not send any extra copies even if
they should print my letter, perhaps you
will also publish the following as it was
sent to the Representative:
Editor Representatives: In the Repre-
sentative of March l there appears an
article from the pen of DR.. H. B. Fay,
which was evidently intended to be
reply to my letter in the Cambridge In
dependent. The Representative has been
making a great record lately as Repub-
lican agitator and misconstruer of facts.
My article was only intended to show the
inconsistency of a local Republican paper
in holding up Bob" Dunn as an honest
state official and refusing to consider
Gov: Lind as such, though they were
not say that Gov. Lind's glowing in
augural expressions were all that en-
titled him to reelection for l think that
his record does). AS to the practicability
and legality of increasing the gross earn
ings tax both Gov. Lind and the state
auditor took that into consideration. The
report of the auditor of state for 81 and
W says, Taxation Is sacred function
or the government and we maintained
that the people had reserved the right
to provide the public revenue by such
methods and at such rates as the times
and conditions demand" To the above
we say amen, though it seems that Fay
will not. The doctor quotes a prominent
republican paper to show that the direct
taxation of railroads would yield less
revenue than the present gross earnings
tax. And then he pretends the railroads
would resort to law TO get out of paying
less taxes than they do now! Why did he
not refer to the report of the state audi
tor? His report plainly shows that the
taxation of railroads on the same basis
as lot other 6e property in the state would yield
SZ;loOOOO instead of DR.. Fay's figures
which are $1,056,000. So Gov. Lind '1lost
an honest opportunity by not demanding
fulI-blooded populistic government own
ership," did he? Gov. Lind to argue gov
eminent ownership Of railroads to a Re-
publican legislature which would not
even impose just and reasonable tax
upon them would have been ridiculous.
We are glad he did not try to inaug-
urate government issues in state legis-
lature: Or does the doctor believe 1t pos
tai railroad system? We think he
knows better, although he has nerve
enough to criticise man who is superior
to to him IN every way taking the only pos
skyscraper" it is from the high opinion
| had of those who are now the Mid-road
leaders. Leaders who instead of speak
ing unto the children of Israel that they
may go forward would have them march
IN a circle and gaze open-mouthed at
them, admiring their greatness. Their
only greatness is in their infinite capacity
for abuse, and in this respect they are
like the girl in the fairy tale from whose
lips there only came a shower of toads,
vipers and all manner Of horrible things
If you are honest in your efforts. remem-
Der that all must be dope according to
natural laws, and though nature may
destroy swiftly, 1t never creates rapidly
There was a time when Mr.. Donneliy
would not believe a Republican under
oath, but now he takes every opportunity
to quote their misstatements, as, for ex-
ample, the article in regard to the calling
of the meeting of the Populist state COM
m1ttee, which appeared in the Same Pom
resentative, and which was absolutely
false. for the call has already been issued
and | have been invited to attend I have
not. written this for fear that Fay's
article would do any damage but simrlv
TO see If you would be just enough 70
publish true statement of facts. Yours
truly, A p Yneve
Cambridge, Mimi. March r.