The representative., 1900-11-01

8. At the national convention at
Kansas City, Minnesota was represented
ON the committee On platform by 4 sold
Democrat, and the one vote to which
this state was entitled on that commit
tee was cast against the 16 to plank
advocated by Bryan.
THE REAL MOTIVE.
1t cannot be pretended that the gov
ernor had no participation In those
results. because he could easily have
prevented any and all of them, as he
was morally bound to do. Besides. it
would be preposterous to suppose that
a handful of dissentients like the gold
Democrats. who have never been able
to hold convention, q caucus, or a
public gathering of any kind in any
city. village or crossroads town in
this state, could all at once and un-
aided. have risen to such prominence.
The hand Of the administration is
plainly felt in all that work, and 1t
has been actually seen in most Of it.
Hence, building up the gold Democracy
and tearing down the Peoples party,
such are unQuestionably the two So
lient features of Gov. Lind's policy, in
regard to party interests.
And what adds special significance
to this course Of action on his part, is
the disagreeable reflection that 1t could
not have been undertaken to make
votes among the gold Democrats, be-
cause there were none to be made.
What few could be gained were sure
to be more than Offset by losses in
the opposite direction His object,
therefore, must necessarily have been,
what? Evidently to serve the money
power. And the more we ex-
anime his attitude whenever the in
terests OF the people come in conflict
with those of the corporations, the more
we are confirmed in that conclusion.
AS A FRIEND OF THE FARMER.
Most people will remember the wide
spread agitation which sprang up in the
rural districts of this state, several
years ago, in regard to the railroad
and warehouse commission, the OBJ
ject being to make the members of
that board elective instead of appoint
i've. That movement developed rap
idly. regardless OF party lines, until
at the legislative session of 1897 a
concerted effort was made to secure
the enactment Of law embodying the
desired reform. This was distinctly
demanded by the farmers and small
shippers generally. and was unques-
tionably favored by the vast majority
OF the people. Nevertheless, the rail-
road lobby prevailed.
Not In the least dismayed, the friends
OF the measure returned to their con-
stituents to renew the agitation. Pop
ulists. Democrats and Republicans alike
were determined to obtain justice.
Naturally, they felt greatly encour-
aged when the announcement was
made OF the election of John Lind. "the
reform candidate" for governor. But
at the very outset Of his administration
the new governor took ground against
them. They were asking for a new law
making the commissioners elective. He
formally declared, in joint session of
both houses. that no new legislation was
needed on that subject. These are his
very words: "No new LEGISLATION is
needed on this subject" (see governors
message, 1899, page 31.) He had dialat-
ed at great length on variety of minor
topics. but when he came to this i'm
portant demand, eminently just in it.
self, and urged for years by thousands
OF taxpayers of all parties, there were
no why's or wherefores, but he promptly
dismissed 1t from consideration. He
has never given any reason for this.
but 1t Is to be supposed that If he had
entered into discussion of the subject,
1t would have precipitated a conflict.
and that Is precisely what the railroad
and elevator men wanted to avoid. The
position he took was far preferable for
their purpose. In this way, while SEEM
ingly Offering no opposition to the pro-
posed reform, he was, in effect. making
a strong motive to forestall any action
In favor of it.
| A VIRTUAL REBUKE.
All these tactics, however were of
10 avail. The battle was at once re-
newed in both houses, and, despite the
governors hostile attitude and the
strenuous efforts of the railroad lobby.
1t was, this time, carried to a success
full termination.
Unfortunately, the new law does not
fully realize the expectations of it's pro-
motors. 1t sanctions the elective prin-
clple with regard to the railroad COM
missioners, but it makes their term of
office four years, instead of two, like
that OF the state officials. The object
OF this exception is obvious: The
longer the term of Office the further re-
moved is the officer from the people.
and the more amenable he is to cor
poration influence. This serious defect
could in all probability have been OBJ
Waited had our reform governor been
true to his colors. He was, of course.
fully aware of the inherent
ROTTENNESS OF THE OLD SYSTEM.
His own Reform Press bureau" re-
Gently declared that the nomination .,f