The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-12-17
Two Staunch Administration PAPERS,
the Winona RepubIican=tterald
and the St. Paul Dispatch,
Read Gov. Van SAINT
Sharp Lectures.
They Tell Him in Plain Language that
the People Will not Stand for
Debauched Judiciary or
Political Board of
Control,

Ii the Mortified News or the Prince
ton U n o were to accuse Gov. Van
SAINT of attempting to debauch the iu-
dietary and of converting the State
Board of Control into huge political
machine, what a howl would 90 up
from his worshipers and admirers.
Surely the conservative Winona Re-
publican-Herald, published in the
governors home city, and the St. Paul
Dispatch, his mouthpiece, cannot be
accused of being hostile to his excel
lency? Read the following scorching,
scathing and sarcastic editorials from
these papers,:
| JUST ONE MORE SUGGESTION.
Perhaps the most notable and impor-
tant thing for which the administra-
tiOn of Gov. Van SAINT will be re1nem-
bered after all is the establishment of
the Board of Control of State institu-
tions, In his first message he urged
the passage Of law providing for
such board, and later he appointed
a commission to investigate the work
ings of similar boards in other states.
He secured the passage of bill in ac-
cordance with his advanced ideas and
appointed as members of that board
the three gentlemen who upon his in
itiative had made thorough investi-
cation of the matter and who were
personally deeply interested in the
successful operation of such a board.
| By the terms Of the law the board is
made non-partisan one, and the
original board Immediately took &C
ton, in the most solemn form pledg-
ing themselves and the State institu-
tions to course of action which
should in the utmost good faith carry
out this feature of the bill. Oppo-
nents to the plan and political enemies
declared, however, that the board and
it's administration would eventually
and unavoidably create a political
machine. It was declared that while
Governor Van SAINT could and prob
ably would preserve the board and
the State institutions from such degen-
Grafton, some future governor would
appoint political friends who, regard
less of it, would use their position and
influence in his interests or that of his
successors.
1t common report and observation
be correct, there is reason for the Re-
publican party of the State of Mime
sofa, which has endorsed and will
maintain the board of Control a val
liable and permanent advance in in
stitutional management, to take excep-
lions to the present situation of affairs
in that board. Upon the resignation
OF William e. Lee, one of the original
and most valuable members, the gov
errors executive clerk, who had been
at the head of the detailed organized
work OF the election, was appointed
| to fill the vacancy. He was not then
recognized as possessing special quail
| ltlcations for the place, and the ap-
| IoAAoAAAoAAo
political reward. The most discerning
| friends of the board protested, but
| without avail. Almost Immediately.
however, their fears were realized in
the developments of the unfortunate
speakership contest into which the
governor was unnecessarily and I'M
justifably drawn.
And now it is alleged that the same
advisers and the same influences have
selected a successor for the governor
and have succeeded in enlisting him
for another expedition after ducks
with brass band. But the strangest
feature of it all is that the promoters
and manager-in-chief of this last new
departure is this same member of the
Board of control of State institutions
who has, by operation of law. become
its chairman. It is even said that
most of his time and energy is devoted
to matters connected with the candi-
dacy OF his townsman, Judge Collins.
and that the situation is we'll UNDER
stood is shown by the fact that one pa
per has mildly. suggested the propriety
Of his resigning his Office as a mem
Der OF the board: This situation is
inexplicable and ought to be intoler-
able to the governor as it is to the
party and to all friends of the Board
OF Control. It has. already done much
injury in weakening the position of
the board, and such an injury often
becomes irreparable and fatal. Mr..
Martin should resign without further
delay, or summary action in his case
should be taken. We will do that gen.
tleman the justice Of saying that he en-
joys the reputation of being an ex-
ceptionally able and accomplished
political organizer ?nga and worker.i To
that particular line of Industry, there
fore, he should have confined his