The Princeton union., 1900-11-22

reference to the taxation Of corpora
tions. For one have never questioned
Mr.. Lind's ability or his integrity
No matter what motives may have
actuated him he has certainly. in his
official capacity, acted for the best in
terests Of the State. At the same time
I know his friends have given him
more credit than rightfully belongs to
him, and Mr. Lind, himself, has not
been at all backward in telling what
he accomplished. Like all other
human beings he has his faults, and
like his predecessors in Office he has
made mistakes. He has made good
governor. But we have had other
good governors, and [ believe S. r.
Van SAINT will prove equally as honest
and efficient as Mr. Lind. 2:.
On the part OF the Democrats there
is some talk of contesting the election.
GOV. Lind is opposed to such a. step,
and really I believe he does not care
enough about the Office to enter into
contest for it. There is no provision
in the statutes for contest for State
office. A recount of the votes Of the
entire State for governor would be
costly and the. proceedings would be
tedious and vexatious. Many Demo-
Gratis profess to believe that Lind was
fairly elected but was counted out
The same claim was put forward in
1896, do not believe the Republicans
have anything to fear from recount.
Probably numerous errors. honest er-
rors. would be discovered. But all the
errors would not be on one side. A
recount, in my Judgment, would not
materially change the figures, and
possibly might add to Van SAINTS plu-
rality. For my part I wish there
would be contest and recount of the
votes for governor. If there is not the
Democrats will howl fraud for the next
two years and all through the next
campaign.
OF one thing the Republicans can
rest assured-they will have a fight on
their hands in the next campaign.
Much depends upon the legislature.
Both branches of the legislature are
overwhelmingly Republican, and the
Republican party, will be held response
bic for any sins of omission or commits
sionon the part of the legislature, and
rightly so. The tax levy must not be
increased. The tax laws ought to be
re:ised.: A few beneficial measures
should be enacted into laws. and only a
few. and then-adjourn. There are
already too many worthless laws upon
the statute books. The proceedings of
the next legislature will be closely
scanned by the people of the State If
the Legislature fails to do its duty, fails
to meet tn e expectations of the people,
look out for Democratic landslide
two years hence.
I notice that there was plurality of
l31 votes against the issue of bonds for
improvements of roads in Mile Lacs
county at the recent election-529 ia
vored the issuance of bonds, $50 voted
against bonds. and 479 failed to vote
either for or against. There were
more votes recorded in favor of the
measure in Princeton village and the
south end OF the county than I sup
posed there would be. but I was sur
peised and disgusted to learn that
there was 65 votes against the PROPOSE
tion in the village and town of Milaca.
The. voters of the north end of the
county are blamable for the defeat Of
the proposition. l favored the issue
of bonds for the improvement Of the
highways in good faith, advocated the
measure because believed it was for
the best interests of the entire county,
and it was conclusively shown in the
columns of the UNION that tax of not
to exceed one mill could be levied each
year to meet the interest and principal
of the bonds, but the people Of Mile
Lacs county evidently do not believe
in good roads. Perhaps it is economy
and good policy to levy two, three or
five mills of county, road tax annu-
ally and scatter the revenue derived
from such tax piecemeal all over the
country and accomplish absolutely
nothing as far as bettering the condi-
tion of the highways is concerned, but
I think it id foolishness. Of course,
it is easier. to pay an annual county
road tax of from two to five mills than
it is to pay tax Of one mill. But the
people have decided the question, and
from their decision there is no appeal.
-e f.. r..
The election table conveys the infor-