The Red Cloud chief., 1902-10-31
GEORGE ID. FOLLMER.
Commissioner of Public Lands and
Buildings.

Buildings.
George ID. Follmer, the present in
cumbent Of the office of commissions
OF public lands and buildings. is one
of the pioneers who form the bone and
sinew Of the great commonwealth OF
Nebraska. More than thirty-one years
ago he took up his residence in
Nuckolls county. Like all pioneers.
his chief resources were indomitable
energy, unlimited confidence in the flu
ture development Of the state. a keen
sense of justice and acute business
faculties.
A plain, unassuming man of the peo-
| pie, he grasped his opportunities as
they came to him, until his good judg-
ment and business fairness earned for
him a position as a leader in the af-
fairs OF his county. This position he
has maintained throughout his long
| residence there, serving the county
four terms as treasurer.
Mr.. Follmer's business experience
has been varied and uniformly success
full. His attention has been divided
between farming and the real estate
business, this experienced coupled with
his long acquaintance with lands and
their values tends to make him pecu-
liarly fitted for the position OF COM
| missioner of public lands and build
ings. and by combining business prin-
ciples with affairs of state In such q
manner that every dollar accruing to
the school fund. or appropriated fol-
special purposes under his jurisdiction
should be turned to the best advantage
Of the state, he has at all times en-
deavored to merit the confidence the
people placed in him two years age
by electing him commissioner.
During his incumbency he has no,
only given his entire time and hes,
thought to the duties devolving upon
him as commissioner. but has turned
his knowledge of land values into dol
lars and cents for the school fund. He
has looked carefully into details. YET
has been just and generous to the in
dividual when such action would moi
conflict with justice to the state and
within the law. In the line of duty ht
Ia fearless and answering. He has
collected thousands of dollars of bach
interest on school lands, some of which
had been due the state more than ter
years, and he has never forfeited
single contract where the owner
showed any desire to retain the same
by making payment SUFFICIENT to insure
good faith.
Business methods have been applied
by him to the work In the Office and
Of the state boards with which he IL
connected, to such an extent that the
business of the state Is conducted AZ
systematically. accurately and prompt
ly as Ia his own private business. WheI
he accepted the position of custodian
OF the public buildings he accepted
likewise the responsibility of keeping
them in repair and In a condition
worthy of the dignity Of 80 great 9
commonwealth. Fusion economy hat
stopped short of necessary repairs t
such an extent that both buildings ant
grounds were In q sad state Of dilapi'
dalton. To bring them back to a salts
factory condition was no small under
taking and required the expenditure o.
no small sun of money. Facing al
unpromising situation, he took an in
ventory of the needs OF the institu
tions and went to work to remedy tn,
existing evils with the consequence
that never before in the history of tn
state have the public buildings beer
brought up to SO thorough q state o
repair and been managed with 30 grea
economy to the state.