Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1900-11-02
JOHN LIND.

cumstances that John Lind was inau-
gurated governor Of Minnesota in Jan.
nary, 1899.
Governor Lind was born at Kama,
province of Smaland, Sweden, March
25, 1854. The family emigrated to
America in 1867 when John was Is
years of age, and settled in Goodhue
bounty, MINI. Here young John, la
boring to assist in the support of the
family, lost his left hand by an accident
which, perhaps, turned the current of
his career, as now, iu-ftted to compete
with his fellows in the material world,
he was urged to more assiduity in the
pursuit of his studies. He spent as
much of his time at school as possible
and at 16 he was granted certificate
emitting him to teach in the public
schools. He taught one year III slu4~u
county, but not being satisfied with the
compensation in a new country at that
time, he, in 1873, took up his residence
in New. Ulm, where he has since re.
sided, respected and honored among
men. By the dint Of hard study, in.
dustry and strict economy, he was able
to attend the State university in 1875
and 1876, having in mind then the
practice of law. Utilizing all his op.
portunities for private study and priv.
LEGGED as he was to work in the Office of
a New Ulm practitioner, he was adj
mitted to the bar Immediately upon
leaving the university at the age of II.
In 1877 he began the practice of law
and, taking an active interest in public
life, was chosen superintendent of
schools Of Brown county. This position
he held for two years, declining a re.
nomination in order that he might de-
vote himself entirely to the profession
upon the adoption of which he had now
fully determined, namely, the law.
In 1881, under the administration of
Garfield and Arthur, he was made re-
ceiver of the land Office at Tracy, Lyon
county, which position he held until
the election of Grover Cleveland, still
being able, however, to care for his
private practice at New Ulm. Mr..
Lind's natural talent and diligence
made him name more than local, and
his prosecution of several suits. notably
those against railroad companies, won
him not little renown. He was active
in the councils of the Republican party,
and in 1886 he was nominated to repre-.
sent the Second district in congress-
The Second district then comprised
20 counties-practically all of South
western Minnesota. That was hard
$or,rht hS,<
elected by a splendid plurality. Two
years later he was renominated and
again elected, his adversary this time
being Colonel Morton S. Wilkinson, a
veteran leader, who had been one of
Minnesota 8 three representatives in the
house from 1859 to 1871, and United
States senator during the war. He
took an active interest in the affairs of
the Indians and secured the passage of
a bill establishing seven Indian schools
in various parts of the country, one of
them being located at Pipestone, in this
state. Another sphere Of work of local
importance was the pushing of some
old claims for the depredations of the
Indians during the outbreak Of 1862.
He secured the payment of many of
these for the people of the Second dis
trict who had suffered during that upris.
ing. One Of the greatest economies which
he secured to the people Of the state,
however, was the passage of the bill
for the reorganization of the federal
courts of the district of Minnesota.
Previous to it's passage all sessions
of the United States courts in this
state had been held at St. Paul, entail
ing long sittings, delays in trials and
long journeys, increasing the cost to
living remote from the capital.
Mr.. Lind's bill provided for terms as
now held at Minneapolis, Mankato,
Winona and Fergus Fails, as well as in
St. Paul. Mr.. Lind was a strenuous
fighter for the integrity and enforce
ment Of the interstate commerce act in
it's efforts to prevent determinations
in favor Of persons or places. He had
added to it amendments which made it
possible for the commission to procure
evidence more efficiently, and also made |
several battles in the courts to secure
for the millers in the smaller centers of
the state; rates more fair when com.
pared with the millers of Minneapolis.
who had been granted certain special
privileges. Mr.. Lind was instrumental
in securing great reform in railroad
and equipment, which is
saving human life and limb hourly.
That is, the automatic coupler and
power brake bill, SO called, which was
passed, and directed all railroads to
provide their cars with automatic coup
lers Of uniform type, and to have at
least certain number Of cars Of each
train equipped with air or other power
brakes, so as to obviate the use Of hand
brakes, which are very dangerous in
icy or sleety weather. This bill was
opposed by strong and insistent lobby,
led by the Pennsylvania Railroad com.
pany, but after q hard contest the lobby
was beaten and Mr.. Iind's bill became
law. Another bill Of commercial value
to the Northwest made Minneapolis
port Of entry. Mr.. Lind was q con-
ceded authority in the house on tho
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