The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-12-26
WILL OF PEOPLE.
Gov. Van SAINT Wants Legis
Iature to Recognize 1t.
He Discusses the Gross Earnings Law
and Outlines His Message to
Both Houses.
(From The Minneapolis Times.)

from Inc MluuodpO1lS 4AhosJ
When asked Tuesday for state
ment of his views on the work OF the
coming session of the state legislature,
Governor Van SAINT said:
Naturally, I am greatly interested
in the questions which will present
themselves to the legislature for solu-
ton. The campaign just closed hinged
on issues of vital Importance to the
people of the state, and legislation
affecting these issues calls for careful
scrutiny. The first consideration is
this: That the people be given what
they voted for and a majority de-
manded. This should be enacted into
law. and such I believe is the firm
conviction of every Republican in the
state. There is no gainsaying the fact
that the people spoke emphatically,
almost a unit in their hearty approval
of the efforts of the state officers to
enforce the law against the threatened
,, consolidation of parallel and compe-
ting lines of railway in Minnesota.
It would be we'll to examine the situa-
tion thoroughly and determine whether
any further legislation is required to
safeguard the interests of the people
against such a consolidation If so, 1t
should be passed.
The resubmission of the per cent
gross earnings bill should be made,
and the bill should be 80 carefully
drawn that no question could be raised
that it would secure four per cent
instead Of three per cent. Such a
measure should be given the active
support of all Republicans and the
party machinery of the state exerted
to secure it's passage.
/ 'ssThe constitutional amendments re-
Gently defeated should be carefully
considered, too, especially those bear
ing upon taxation. Should these be
submitted and ratified by the people il
Twill be possible for the legislature te
enact laws so that sufficient revenue
would be obtained to wipe out al
taxation for state purposes. These is
sues are of great Importance, and the
, legislative and executive Department.
of the state should work together t.
accomplish their passage .
Efforts of the followers of DR.. L. w
Babcock of Wadena, the anti-admin
istration candidate for speaker of thu
house, to bring dark horse into. tn
, field have failed. They attempted t,
induce Frank Clague of Lambertol
to enter the field. Yesterday Mr.
r Clague, who refused to be party t.
7 any such arrangement, called upon L
L. johnson of Hennepin, the LEADING
8 candidate in the race, and renewe
8 his pledge of support
A liberal estimate of Babcock'
s strength is forty-one votes. and it re
Q quires fifty three to nominate.
The situation is conceded to be a
q unusual one. Briefly reviewed in til
It light of fresh information. Mr.. Bal
r cocks cause fails to command the re
spect which his earlier pretensions ir
: spired with some.
. In the first place it is understoo
z that the statement was made by
!. very respectable citizen that Gener'
= Solicitor Grover of the Great Norther
n was supporting Babcock. Thi
: backed up by the liberal quantities {
: transportation which Bsbcock and b
: men are eaid to be distributing, Civ,
t. color to the belief in many minds.
# Arrayed with Babcock are all Il
3 interests known to be hostile to Il
= state administration. The latt
,e seem to have conferred their love {
le the Wadena doctor.
The interest shown by the Republ
can state central committee and 81
friends of Governor Van SAINT in Il
p situation is understood to be d.
n solely to the fact that all .bene6ci
20 legislation is likely to fail when
of state executive has to cooperate wi
If "a hostile house organization. On
. larger scale, 1t is well known til
President Roosevelt was powerless ls
no spring when the insurgents defeat
: Cuban relief in the house. The sal
condition Is held to apply to the sts
Legislature.
X It Is believed that Governor V
SAINT will submit number of imp'
b. tant recommendations in his MESA
Of to the legislature. His message W
u. be based on the expressed will Of {
neopIe. as recorded Nov. 4
ar In the face of hostile organizatit
In little would be done. The railroa'
". for intancs. realize this fact as clea
nm as it is possible to do SO. and knowi
how vitally their interest rests on
oaniZation are anxious to have 81
cock raised to the speakership
would name the committees. VIII
are in q sense all-powerful, and
latter can pigeonhole measure wi
out exciting great general CONNIE
Among the coming measures will
IAN the four per cent gross earnings
lay The same process will Rave to be 8
ont through with this year as last In
i, der to prepare it for submission to
people. With q hostile organizai
'cai and cold committees. the fate OF
'ut. measure. It lie feared, would not
favsto seek.