The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1902-07-19

We have school fund that should be a
| source Of pride to every citizen of our
state; it now amounts to about $lo.9oo, 0o0
vast sum Of $50, 0o0,COO. BY wise pro-
vision Of the law only the interest can
| be used, and annually about $500, 600 is
| secured in this way for educational pur
| poses. The fund is to remain intact for
ever. We are indebted for this nagnitl-
cent fund to Hon. Alexander Ramsey,
any other man living or dead. He it was
| who so carefully guarded the interests of
Spectators were about to defraud the
state he interposed his veto. He is easily
| the peer of any other man who ever oc-
cupied the gubernatorial chair, and that is
that that position was once held by, a
Davis, a Pillsbury and a Nelson. This
magnificent fund is a monument to the
wisdom and statesmanship of the men
party. Not only have we this large fund,
but our schools are .unexcelled. Our great
| university takes front rank with any
similar institution in the country, and our
| school of agriculture is rearing genera
ton of intelligent, thrifty and cultured
men and women for farm life. Our nor
| NAL and high schools are the very best.
| The superintendent of public instruction
| is making special effort to promote and
make moreNeficient the rural schools. This
is. proper, for in these schools so per cent
of our children receive all the education
citizenship. These schools should be as
| efficient as it is possible to make them.
BOARD OF CONTROL.
The board of control will, am led to
believe, make a most excellent showing
when it's annual report is presented to the
public. 1t has had many difficulties to
meet and many prejudices to overcome.
In our state there have been no prece-
dents to guide it. The road was new
one. The greatest source of trouble has
eeindearvoring to manage the same institu.
| tons: In such cases there is always a
conflict, for it is difficult to ascertain
where the authority of the one ceases and
remedied. In my Judgment the educa-
tional institutions should not have been
placed under it's management; it was not
the intention of those originally favoriny
a board of control plan. 1t is not for the
best interests Of the schools and besides
the board has not the time to do the eN-
next legislature should amend the bill in
this respect, and no doubt other changes
T VII need to Il be made from time to time
! will grow in public favor.
GAME AND FISH.
Public sentiment in our state faVors
game and fish protection, and the COM
| mission has the earnest and hearty CO.
| farmers. All see the Necessity of pre-
| serving this valuable source of food sup
every effort made in this direction. Thaf
| the board is doing most excellent work
is evidenced by the fines collected for the
nearly double those collected during the
! same time by it's immediate predecessor
The same is true with reference to tbs
amount received from the confiscation OF
/ replenlsh our. streams and lakes is the
largest ever known, and when the i'm
pr pro aana i now maxine at the hatchery
work will be fully twice as great as they
| are now. When we consider as an asset
the value of the game and fish of Mime
lions of dollars, we deem it but just to
commend the splendid work Of the COM
mission.
BUREAU OF LABOR.
On our statute books are some of the
very best labor laws Our state received
one of the five medals that were awarded
1900 for the best labor laws, and diplo.
exposition now hangs on the wall in the
ONCE Of the commissioner of labor at the
capitol, certifying to these facts. Among
the many labor laws that we can point
to, with pride are those relating to chii1
labor; laws regulating the education and
employment of children and prohibiting
the employment of children at dangerous
or IN immoral OCCUPATIONS; laws for the
protection of the health, hives and limbs
OF the working people; a general factory
In law; laws for the protection q
and many others. The factory inspectors
vt this department during the year 1901
eHpoFy OF 6
been issued for the protection and safe
guarding OF machinery and for improving
the sanitary condition Of the factories
this department have received special in
structlons, along the lines of the more adj
NAnced scientific systems Of drainage and
ton has gone the collection Of data re-
latlng to all departments Of labor; hence
We find that the several new and special
making into the conditions surrounding
wage-earners have been received with UNI.
usual approval throughout the state and
have attracted much attention in other
states of the Union. The bureau of labor
was created at the instance Of the labor
Ing people, for the express purpose Of en-
forcing the laws that were then, or might
be hereafter, enacted for the protection
of the rights of the; thousands who 20 tn
makeup that great army Of useful citi-
zens, the working people: 1t has been my
missioner of labor have always been, ia
administered for the purpose for Which it
was created. -
: DRAINAGE. O.,
BY an act of the last legislature an an
preparation of $4,000 was made for drain.
age purposes. Pursuant to said act the
commission, composed Of the governor
the auditor and the secretary of state
have taken the necessary steps to make
the same effective. Several bitches are
about completed, and all the others pos
sible under the appropriation are con-
tracted for. The entire work will be COM
pleted by the end Of thu year. It is diff
cult to measure the benefits derived from
these state bitches, Thousands Of acres
of land belonging to both the state and
to settlers have been much improved and
have greatly increased in vaiue. and much
waste land has been reclaimed. The peo-
tple living In the section Of state where
drainage has proved such blessing have
reason to thank the Republican party for
1naugurat1ng and continuing this work.
Il TAXATION. z '
. Probably no subject which now con-
fronts the people of our state elicits more
than that of taxation. It is a: matter OF
common knowledge that our tax laws are
inefficient and that as consequence a
very large percentage Of taxable property
escapes the lists. While we all recognise
the fact that it Is practically impossible
still we should strive to meet. as far as
practicable, the primary purpose of tax
legislation. which is to place upon the
lists all property. subject to taxation, anG
distribute the burdens justly and equitab.
ly. At the same time it is important If
the great business interests which have
contributed to the building up of our
state and which make Minnesota one OF
the most conspicuous states of the Union
No. legislation should be adopted which
will be unjust to these interests or ham:
should respond to their fair share OF
taxation and thus assist II, T. tho yoo.,-H