The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-21


sixth ward last Thursday evening, w.
D. Washburn, Jr., made the following
address discussing the qualifications
Of the leading candidates for the re-
publican nomination for governor.
have been asked tonight to give |
reasons why / have decided to sup
port Judge Collins rather than Robert
Dunn, as candidate for governor.
In presenting my reasons, l wish |
to first state that I have known Bob
Dunn for fifteen years. He has always
been a kind friend to me and a strong
supporter of myself and my father.
I have always had strong personal
affection for Mr.. Dunn and should
might advance his general welfare.
On the other hand, | have hardly
known Mr.. Collins for six months, eX-
cept by general reputation.
I shall support Mr.. Collins as
against Mr.. Dunn, not as matter OF
personal relation or regard, but sim
ply because 1 feel that Mr.. Collins will
make a better governor and that 1T
will be for the real interest of the
people of this state to elect him to
that position. When candidates come
before the people for their support,
such candidates must abide by their
record. by their fruits We shall
know them" If public official can
show an unblemished record in the
administrations of any office; If he
has supported the interests of good
government and honest people in his
official life, such a candidate may we'll
claim that he Is entitled to their sup
port when he appears before them
again and gives an account Of his
stewardship.
If on the other hand, he has given
an administration, which Is open to
IL r.
or neglect, he has no right to COM
plain that tn epeople demand that
plain that the people demand that
know exactly how he has served their
interests. At this point candidate
Is open to close examination and he
cannot claim that such an examina-
ton is either an injustice or an out
rage against his personal character.
When he stands for office he stands
for a general review of everything
that may affect the strictly official life.
If he cannot stand such scrutiny
he should not stand for office.
The Public Business.
For long time in this state, many
people have fallen into the belief that
- the governor or the auditor of this
state should be elected to that office
simply because some man happens
to want the office or because some
group Of politicians happen to want
him to have it. It is even considered
an intrusion when it Is suggested that
all the officers Of the state government
should be elected on account Of their
personal fitness to handle the business
of the people.
AS matter of fact, these great
state offices are simply business
offices. The officers who fill them
simply handle the business and the
property of the people and they
basis to safeguard the property of the
people and of the state. If they are
not so conducted and any office is
conducted without due regard to the
interests Of the state and the people
of the state, such officer should be re
moved and replaced by OFFICIALS who
are ready and willing to conduct state
business on a strictly business basis
Nor should the matter Of conduct
ing state business and properly pro
tecting the property Of the state, pe
left to the Judgment of any particular
- state official. The manner of conduct
ing the business Of the state is strict!
laid down by law. 1t Is safeguardet
by definite and detailed requirements
by legislative acts and these prov1d
that the business of the state Is to b.
transacted exactly as any other
am not making any reflections upo'
the honesty Of any man. am sim
ply calling attention to the laws o
- this state and am inquiring whethe
they have been properly enforced an
whether the interests Of the citizens o
this state have been properly sare
guarded This Is not question Q
Mr.. Collins or Mr.. Dunn. To the cit1
zen of this state 1t is simply a questio
whether the office Of the auditor ha
been so conducted by Mr.. Dunn tina
he now has right to demand
- election as governor, standing upo
his record as auditor.
I do not think it has. and l sha
therefore support Mr.. Collins as car
didate for governor.
The Office Of Auditor.
In this connection the people Of tn
state should fully realize the respons
bilities of the office Of auditor. Tn
- Is really the great business off1ce
the state All the business OF the sta
is transacted thru this department.;
bills and expenditures are here audi
ed, and it is supposed to be pc
feet check upon all branches of sta
government, as far as state expend
lures are concerned.
In addition to this, the auditors o
flee has full charge of the state land
both timber and mineral. The audit
Is supposed tc cell the land and tt
timber on a st. ictly business basis ar
the credit of the state school fun
This great tract Of land was given
the state of Minnesota by the COVER
ment of the United States when II
territory of Minnesota became
state. It Is worth many millions
dollars and Is rapidly increasing