The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-06-24

of the United States when the ter
ritory of Minnesota became a state.
1t is worth many millions of dollars and
is rapidly increasing in value through
the growth of timber and the discovery
of mineral. 1t was given to the state
as a sacred inheritance to the people
of this state and to their children's
children. 1t was given to advance the
cause of universal education that peo-
pie under a free government might al
ways be assured that the schools and
university of this state should never
lack for funds to educate the children of
the state.h ,ai. iz.<s
The people have given too little at
tention to the real meaning of the school
land and the school fund. This fund is
guarantee and bulwark that shall
provide for the future education of the
millions of children who shall yet sue
coed us in the development of this state
and in the support of the peoples gov.
eminent among a people who shall be
sufficiently educated to maintain re-
publican form of government.
Timber Trespass.
Every man who steals a tree from
the public hands steals a book from the
hands of the, children of this state
Every man Who steals ton of ore
thereby lessons he chances of the child
rem of this state 10 receive the edu-
cation to which every child of the repub-
lie is entitled. Every man who loots
these public landstis taking your money
and your property. He is depriving your
children of their birthright. He is an
enemy of our system of government.
There is not man in this state but who
is distinctly and vitality interested in
the school lands of this state and in their
proper protection. There is not a man
in this audience but what has right to
know exactly what has been done with
these lands, whether they have been
properly guarded and where every penny
has gone in connection with this office.
If the lands and inheritance of the
people have been properly managed it
it is easy to show it. The books of the
state auditor are public property and it
is easy to show whether there has been
neglect or carelessness in this office.
The report of the state examiner makes
distinct and definite statements as to
official neglect and carelessness of the
auditor. These are made by page, date
and amount. The citizen should remem-
Der that the state examiner is a paid
officer of the state of Minnesota.
His statements are either true or they
are not true
If they are not true the. public examin-
er has no right to hold his position and
should be held to account under the
law
If these charges are true, they should
be sifted to the foundation regardless of
the interests of the officials of admins
trations.
1t has been a matter of common
knowledge in the state of Minnesota for
years that the peoples land and the
of their children have been
and badly handled. There
is no time better than the present to
find out the exact facts in this case and
to take immediate and stringent meas
ures to see that this great fund is suf-
ficiently protected in the future. Until
there is some definite and distinct ex
PLANTATION of direct and definite charges,
I propose to uphold the candidacy of !
Judge Collins, whom believe to be a !
good man and courageous public officer.
Corporations and People.
Much has been said in abuse of the