The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-18

Governor Van SAINT set all \ 1mors
at rest this morning.
He is not, and will not be, candi-
date for governor.
He favors the nomination of Judsa
Collins and hopes for his success. su
He denies that the examination 90
the auditors office was made for po-.
litical purposes and frankly expresses
his opinion of the facts disclosed by
the examination.
The interview was given out IN
typewriter form this morning, as a
final answer to rumors and CRITICISMS.
and is evidently the fruit of careful
consideration. 1t reads as follows:
The statement sent broadcast turnout
the state, that am about to enter the
gubernatorial contest, Is without the
slightest foundation. Months ago gave
public utterance to the fact that l would
not be a candidate for the republican
nomination, and I desire now TO refer
ate that statement.
Personally have, and do now, favor the
nomination of Judge Collins, and sincerely
hope that he will be successful in the con-
vention. He has lived In the state for
the past fifty years; he has served his
stands on the right side Of all public ques-
lions and is in every way an ideal candi-
date.
Backs UP Examiner.
Twill take this occasion to say that the
published statements to the eeffct that
the examinatio by the public examiner
of the records Of the state auditors office
was instituted by the administration fol
political purposes, is untrue. The inves-
tigation was directed by the legislature
| The legislative committee having in charge
the investigation of that Office, In It's re-
port called attention to stumpage &C
counts appearing on the books Of said Of
flee and made the following recommends.
| ton :
We would recommend that the public examiner
| Investigate thoroly into these accounts, and i
same are actually due the state, that he be re
| auested to take such steps as are necessary tt
| enforce their collection
| This Investigation having been made
the public Is entitled to know the facts
| The amount obtained fro mthe sale o
timber adds to our permanent school funt
and every citizen has deep interest
this sacred fund. The reports Of the ex
aminer show that compromises resulted Il
obtaining prices far below that received a
public sale the same year, whereas, II tn
penalty prescribed had been exacted, tn
reverse would have been tru. Trespass
ing should have been made difficult, no
easy. 1t has been cheaper to trespas
than to purchase from the state. This ex
plains why so much trespassing has bee
repeatedly resorted to by the same parties
| Until the present year there never ha
been a conviction for trespassing upo1
state lands. If it was thoroly understood
/! that for every trespass the laws would b
4 strictly enforced, then these Illegal act
1 would cease. When the magnitude of tn
states interests in land, timber and iro
/ ore Is considered it can be seen that tn
greatest care should be exercised in tn
! handling of such interests. The way t
secure the very best results is to CAREFUL
no nraaprjha6
provision is a safeguard.
A strong Campaign.
The interview Is a body blow for tn
Dunn boom. Tt not only states tn
governors position so it cannot b
misunderstood, but it gives his officia
approval to the timber trespass an
stumpage investigation. The gov
ernor expresses an opinion as to tn
facts disclosed by the record, whic
is now generally held thru the state
but it is the first official condemnatio
of the methods and policies of MI
Dunn while state auditor.
During the governors absence, tn
Dunn campaigners had started a fan
fire on Judge Collins, by the re-iterate
story that the governor would be
candidate. It was this canard thu
provoked the governors statement tt
: day, and it is now beginning to daw
on the opposition that they made
mistake.
Public Business Fuss.
! The governor does not assume tt
role of dictator, but he exercises tt
: right that belongs to every citizen,
. declaring his preference. He is n,
. interfering with his subordinates {
. debating their choice. In fact, I
i has said that he prefers they shou
. attend to their official duties. If the
> want to spend their time on polite
they should follow the example
James A. Martin, and resign.
s The state house activity is more
: behalf of Dunn than of Collins, ar
p the claim that the capitol gang
: workink to perpetuate itself in Off
It by supporting Collins Is untrue.