The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-05-12
Party or Office Rins-Which Told the
Truth?

ulm W pay up. '-DuluGu defdlu.
Party or Office Ring-Which Told the
Truth?
The quick recognition by the public
of the low political motives that in
spired the attack on the official record
of ex-Auditor Dunn, record that has
been the boast of the Republican
party and that has been influential in
every recent State campaign, the dis
gust that has filled every voter as he
recognized the disreputable methods
the capitol ring of offceholders are
willing to adopt in their desperation,
have driven the Collins organs to
elaborate explanations in an attempt
to show now that the attack was made
only in the interests of the State.
Their explanations are as himsy as
the charges which Sam johnson con-
tributed as his share of the Collins
campaign. Charges and explanations
alike when tested by the facts in the
memory of almost every voter in the
State are transparent as the despic-
able motives that inspired them.
Robert G.. Dunn has personifed for
the Republican party of Minnesota
the spirit of economy and upright adj
ministration and there is hardly an
official in office to-day who was not
elected on platform of which his
record was a part. Has the Republi-
can party been deceiving the voters
for these many years or is this attempt
to discredit his record at this late day
an attempt of one of the most desper-
ate rings of Office holders to maintain
themselves in power? It is for the
voter to decide. +
It is unnecessary at this moment to
discuss all the ways by which Mr..
Dunn conserved the States property,
increased the States income, and re-
duced it's expenses. It is sufficient to
take up the State timber lands alone.
The very beginning in the real protec-
ton of the States lands was made by
Mr.. Dunn when a member of the legis-
lature. Under previous auditors where
the trespasses owing to greater oppor-
tunities we're infinitely greater, the
amounts collected were ridiculously
small. Mr.. Dunn collected during his
term of Office fifteen times the amount
collected by all preceding auditors.
It is frequently impossible, as those
most ignorant of the law can perceive,
to prove wilful trespass, It is fire.
quently impossible to convict the
offenders at all. Mr.. Dunn in such
cases secured the best settlements pos
sible for the State and his actions were
never impugned until he became a
candidate for governor and the capt.
tol ring undertook to down him by
fair means or foul. His actions were
repeatedly investigated by legislative
committees and were always COM
mended. A Democratic governor,
John Lind, felt impelled by sheer JUS
tice to praise the administration of the
audltores once. Had MIR. Dunn stood
on technicalities, brought suits at the
expense of the State without the rea-
sonable possibility OF recovery, his
business Judgment and his official ad-
ministration might we'll be criticised
by every citizen of the State. This
fact, however, blazes out so fiercely
that Sam Johnson's little squirt gun
cannot put it out, that r. G. Dunn
recovered for the State over $40, 600
and all that his predecessors recov-
cred was 81, 900.
There was no attempt to cast doubt
upon Mr.. Dunn's wisdom or integrity
until he became q candidate for gov
ernor and interfered with the capitol
ring who are using every means to