The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-26
GOV. L|ND'S GREAT RAGE
STATE AUDITOR DUNN REVIEWS TT
IN A LETTER TO HIS OWN
PAPER
ANOTHER FIGHT ON HAND
On the Action of the Legislature
Depends the Outcome Two
Years From Now, He
Thinks.
tate Auditor Dunn in the Princeton

State Auditor Dunn in the Princeton
Union.
Official returns are still lacking from
half a dozen counties, but it is safe to
assert that Capt Van SAINTS plurality
will be between 800 and 1900. McKin-
ley's plurality in the state will exceed
15,OOO Van SAINT was a popular candi-
date, and he had united party behind
him; besides he had a working and we'll
organized committee under the superb
leadership of Tams Bixby to manage
his campaign, and yet he barely pulled
through. There is no use of talking,
John Lind is a phenomenal vote-getter.
In the campaign of 1896 Lind made a
great race against Clough-the latter's
plurality was 1882. But Clough had con-
siderable opposition from within the
ranks of his own party. Clough, how
ever, polled a great many Democratic
votes. People who are prejudiced against
Clough assert that he was a weak can
didate, but he was not weak candl-
date; he had many bitter enemies and
he also had many ardent fighting friends.
Had Van SAINT or Eustis been p1tted
against Lind in 1896 it is extremely doubt
full if either of them could have been
elected.
Two years ago Lind defeated Eustis
by a plurality of 201S4 The campaign
was not as well managed by the Repub-
licans in 1888 as in 1896 or this year, but
I do not believe any Republican could
have defeated Lind two years ago, nor
could any Republican have defeated him
this year had it not been for the presi-
Dental election and the landslide to NJ
Kinley.
Undoubtedly Lind is strong with voters
of his own nationality but he is also
popular with the voters of other nation
alities-Americans, Germans and Irish.
Had the Swedish voters stood by MIN
this year as they did in 1896 and 1898 he
would have won out by handsome plu-
rality 1 wish to call particular atten-
ton to the vote of such counties as Hen
nepin. Kandiyohi, Chisago, Isanti and
Kanabec. The Swedish element is all
powerful in these counties, and yet Van
SAINT carried all of them. No, Mr.. Lind's
political strength Is not altogether on
account of his nationality.
John Lind is strong with the people
because they believe in him. That IS
the truth of the matter. The people be-
lieve that John Lind is an honest man
and an able man, and that he has earn
estly endeavored to bring about reforms
in the administration of the State gov
eminent, especially with reference to the
taxation of corporations. For one nave
never questioned Mr.. L1nd's aolllty OF
his integrity No matter what motives
NAV have actuated him he has certainly,
in his official capacity, acted for the best
interests 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 accom-
plished. Like all other human beings ne
has his faults and like his predecessors
in office he has made mistakes. He has
made a good governor. But we have had
other good governors, and l believe =. Il.
Van SAINT will prove equally as honest
and efficient as Mr.. Lind.
On the part of the Democrats there
is some talk of Contesting the election.
Gov Lind is opposed to such step,
and really l believe he does not care
enough about the Office to enter into a
contest for it. There is no provision
in the statutes for a 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 vexa tious. Many Democrats profess
to believe that Lind was fairly elected
but was counted out The same claim
was put forward in 1856. I do not be-
lieve the Republicans have anything to
fear from a recount. Probably numerous
errors, honest errors, would be discoV-
cred. 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
plurality. For my part 1 wish there
would be a 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 cam
paign.
OF one thing the Republicans can rest
assured-they will have a fight on their
hands in the next campaign. Much de-
ponds upon the legislature. Both
branches of the legislature are over
whelmingly Republican, and the Repub-
lican party will be held responsible for
any sins of omission Or commission on
the part of the legislature, and rightly
so. The tax levy must not be increased.
The tax laws ought to be revised. 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 the expectations
of the people, look out for d Democratic
landslide two years hence.
Already the cOld-blooded politicians are
calculating and figuring on a successor
to Senator Davis. Half a dozen pigmies
have been mentioned as possible Candi-
dates. Not one of them could, fgura-
lively speaking, fill corner OF one Of
Senator Davis cast-off shoes.