The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-27
Bomb Proved a BOOMERANG.


the biggest campaign blunder Of the year,
as the men behind it soon discovered, and
they dropped it absolutely.
The short lived campaign against the
bill was a god thing for the republican
ticket and for all the constitutional
amendments. It aroused interest in a
way that nothing else could do, and it
unmasked before the public the intimate
connection between the democratic cam
paign and the railroad interests that op-
pose the bill.
The motive Of the attack was too ap-
parent, and the whole state ridiculed the
| spectacle of a newspaper owned by a rail-
road president opposing a bill because it
would reduce railroad taxes. This was
enough, but the opponents Of the bill
failed to prove their case and it fell fiat
! Then final quietus came when Attorney
General Douglas showed conclusively that
John Lind had advised with him in draw
! ing the bill, and concurred in the change
which it makes in defining gross earnings.
This took away the last vestige of an ar
gument and left the democratic oppo-
nents of the bill helpless, for in attack
ing the bill they were attacking their
champion and threetimes leader.
| The campaign against the bill has
reused it's friends to action and will bring
many out tD the polls who would other
wise have stayed at home. So the attack
has not only recoiled on the heads of those
| that made it, and caused them to suffer
in prestige, it has actually stirred up
more votes for the republican ticket.
Official Reply to the canard.
Another boomerang in the hands Of the
democrats was the charge that Governor
| Van SAINT did not pay his steamboat taxes.
This was flung broadcast and billed on
flaming posters, showing that while the
farmers land values had been increased,
| the governors steamboats, were not taxed.
Governor Van SAINT was touring the state,
and it was some time before he could be
reached and the facts ascertained. Satur-
day morning came word from the gov
ernor, and the fact was published in
T. Journ a l Saturday.
The republican state committee has an
swered the SANDER in an official state
ment in which it states that the COM
pany has its home at Muscatine, Iowa,
and pays it's taxes there. It is not the
governors personal property, but a stock
company organized a number of years ago
by his father whose .home was in Iowa.
Governor Van SAINT is president of it. The
company does business all along the
river, touching the shores of Wisconsin,
Minnesota and Iowa, but naturally pays
taxes at it's home.
Governor Van SAINTS financial interest
in this state is plainly shown by the fact
that he pays $242 every year personal
property taxes. He also has invested
largely In farm lands, for man of his
moderate means, and is affected by the
raise in farm land values as much as the
majority Of land owning farmers.
i The committee statement also notes the
fact that Mr.. Rosing pays no real estate
tax in his home county. It takes up the
assessment argument. Real estate assess
ments were reduced in 1895, and this
w. 1>,xR
800. OF this increase, $4,000, 900 comes
on iron ore lands, and $20,000,000 on town
and city lots, leaving an increase OF
only $4,000, 900. on farm property, or II
per cent. Even now farm property is only
assessed at Is per cent Of it's actual value
and most of the raises made this year
were made by the county boards of equal.
ization.
Governors Busy Week.
Governor Van SAINT was in St. Paul fol-
a short time this morning, but took the
road again for the last week Of the cam
paign. He spoke this afternoon at Pine
Island and zumbrota, and is billed TO,
Rochester tonight. Tuesday he Will
speak in the afternoon at St. Charles, ant
In the evening at Winona; Wednesday
afternoon at Braham, and evening a.
Isanti; Thursday afternoon at Carlton
and evening at Clouquet: Friday ant
Saturday he will cover the iron range
in g. special train, and on Monday night
election eve, he will address great rally
at Duluth, where Senator Clapp will alst
be one of the speakers. The governor /.
having great success everywhere, facing
large and enthusiastic audiences in ever,
town he visits, and making votes witt
every speech. People are invariably i'm
pressed with his sincerity and his evi
dent interest in their welfare.
The Madelias Messenger says:
1.-The. democrats are always praisinf
dead republicans or those republicans
who are not running for office. Thi
year they are praising Roosevelt ant
damning Van SAINT. Two years from nov
they will damn Roosevelt and praise Val
SAINT, =.
That, is, granting that Governor Val
SAINT will not be running for office TIVE
I years from now.
| Charles B. Cheney.
THE WHISTLE
A willow grew by ripping river,
! Lifting it's head in the SUM- drenched air
It saw its leaves in the water CULVER,
And knew its image was passing fair.
It spread its arms in petition anguished,
! raa1inp the call of a. atranne sweet tvre.