The Princeton union., 1900-09-27

became engaged, anu QeClQSu IQAI, Dy II
uniting forces, they could once more
reform the state government. The re-
suit OF this union was that the Fusion
lists captured the state legislature and
organized 1t, and they also elected their
own state auditor.
Now were the Fusionist forces In q
position to inaugurate the reform
which they had stridently proclaimed
in their campaign as necessary to the
| peace, happiness and prosperity Of the 4
state. They could pass any law they
| wished, and they had the whole ac-
/ counting system Of the state, the books
land the records, in the hands and un-s
lSder the inspection Of an auditor Of their
own political creed. They were in a
i position to expose any crookedness OF
which past Republican administrations
might have been guilty.
/ What was the result? The Democrat
ic state auditor absolutely failed to dis
Ecover or disclose any act or deed dis-
creditable to any Of his Republican
predecessors in office. Not a trace OF
anything scandalous or dishonorable
was found in any branch Of the states
business. The accounts Of the depart
ments and Institutions were absolutely
straight.
/ To the Fusion legislature OF 1891 we
] must look, therefore, for the promised
reforms and reform measures.
The act Of this legislature which
4 brought the value Of Reform home
i most clearly to the people of MinnesoA
ia was the raising Of the tax levy rate
from 1 7-10 mills, as levied by the legis-
llature of 1889, to 2-10 mills. an in-
Ecrease Of 5-1O Of a mill. sss #
L ~
i lature for state revenue purposes was
s2,250. 900 for the two years Of 1889 and
1890
The amount levied by the 1891 legis-
lature for the two years Of 1891 and
1892 was s2,545, 900. lis
The greatest achievement Of this Re-
form legislature was in the matter OF
legislative expenses. The Republican
Legislature of 1889 cost the taxpayers
Il s149, III SO. The Fusion Legislature OF
1881 cost 162. .953.52, or $13,175.99 more.
Thus 1t was proved in 1891, as IN 1858,
that an era Of alleged reform is expens-
i i've. The, people evidently took this
view Of it in 1892, for the legislature OF
i 1898 was given over to the control OF
the Republican party. The result was
Il that the rate Of the tax levy was re-
\ duced to 7-10 Of a mill and the legis-
i lattve expenses were reduced to $142, =,
101.H, or $20,S51.S1 below the expenses
Of the previous legislature.
Since then, successive Repub blican5
Il legislatures, commencing with the ses-
Il sion Of 1895, have reduced the rate OF
4 the tax levy to 4 $40 Of mill, and last
4 year the state audi itor, by virtue OF the
a power vested in him by law, was able
to still further reduce the tax to 1 4-1O
- n
Il the tax levy to / $40 Of mill.
The legislative expenses, even with
q the increase in the apportionment,
4 were, in 1896, $24, ,1O5.17 below those Of
4 the 1891 session: $18,632.63 below II.
a 1897, and $15.O7402 below In 1899.
So much for the reform period OF
1891.
Less than two years ago we entered
upon our third era Of reform. On Jan.
a 2, 1899, the Hon. John Lind became the
d CHIEF executive officer OF the state.
Il Right here I wish to say, for Gov.
Lind. personally and officially, j have
q 1.-The highest regard, and as he said IN
s. his speech Of acceptance, on many oc-j
81 scasicns have consulted and advised
s. and advised with him as to the besl
course to pursue to protect and further
& the interests Of the state: but he Is
& Etfe head and front Of the opposition to
Ill the Republican, party in the state to-
day. and Is indirectly responsible for
Z, any sins Of omission or commission on
= the part OF boards or heads Of depart
ments appointed by him.
He was elected governor by the COM
4, bined votes Of the Democratic and
Populist parties, and was pledged to
, reform certain abuses from which, It