The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-08
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
The Surveyor Generalships

To the Editor of The Journal.
In your issue of Oct. you refer to me In
terms which, think, justify me in asking the
courtesy Of the publication of a reply covering
statements made by you in reference to my
motives for supporting Mr.. Dunn.
letter to asman holding an appointment under
Governor Van SAINT, in which you SAY: .Mr.
Robbins promises to do all he can for his cor
position I have written no man letter
containing this language, any other pledge,
or promise, to help him to retain his present
position. The further statement is made that
am not disdaining to apply to men holding
appointments under Governor Van SAINT. Be-
| tween myself and many such men there has
| know of no -eason why friendship of years
should be broken because these friends are hold
ing positions under Governor Van SAINT. Neither
do know of any reason why they should not,
with entire propriety, extend to me the same
courtesy in matters relating to my interests that
l would cheerfully extend to them If called
| upon,
The further statement Is made that was not
appointed surveyor general, and became anti
Van SAINT man l have never made public
| utterance criticising Governor Van SAINT. The
resolution introduced by me in the state dele
gate convention in March declared that the re-
publican party of this state is united on the
proposition that every lawful means should be
invoked to defeat any attempt to merge parallel
and competing lines Of railway. That resolution
was an Endorsement of Governor Van SAINTS
attitude on this question, and yet this resolu-
ton is referred to as evidence that became
an anti-Van SAINT in 1908. introduced
that resolution because I had not found any
merger sentiment among the republicans of the
state, and l believed that it was an unnatural
issue within the lines of the republican party and
would become disrupting influence.
The motive assigned in the publication have
referred to, for nay support of Mr.. Dunn, Is that
I hope In return to receive the appointment to
the position OF surveyor general. I have no
ed governor Of this state. n support him because
he Is the nominee Of the republican party by
the action of the convention in which he had q
majority of the votes Of all the delegates on the
first ballot taken, and his nomination was made
unanimous on motion of the manager of Judge
Collins campaign. l have not been Influenced
In my faith in and respect for Mr.. Dunn by
charges made against him, because have per
, sonal knowledge of the fact that large mum
ber. OF these charges are not true; and I an
/ willing to accept the sworn statement of the
ords OF his office, of transactions during the pc
!, Rod Of Mr. Dunn's administration of that office
, as to matters that I unable to deterrnin.
from personal knowledge Of the facts
AS to the part the merger issue is playing IL
: this campaign, the democratic nominee is de
ciaring that 1t is an issue between the demo
cratic and republican parties Of this state not
withstanding the record Of the republican part,
= In the past on this issue, and notwithstandn,
= the fact that the republican nominee declare
without reservation in public speeches that he I
opposed to the merger Of connecting lines ~ ra
. way in this state. This statement was mad
= by him at the meeting held at the Mesonic TEN
hef
!, | the state convention was held
u In the contention that the merger is an issu
. In this campaign as between the democratic an
= republican parties, the democratic nominee ha
- received aid and encouragement from certai
sources inside the republican party by the DEE
larat1on they have made that this is an issue
;, 1t IS this attitude which has seemed to me
II menace to the party in this state. and has 10
y me to put forth what influence can comman
+ to cheek what has seemed to me a fatal errf
ana calculated to work unoalcuable injury to th
't party to which I have devoted all my life an
ID which deserves, in my Judgment the best servi1
% and the most loyal devotion in times when int
n nal CONDITIONS threaten it, well as when
IN Is assaued by Its enemies, .-.-
re "A. B. Robbins.
y n 9 Journ a l cheerfully grants
N Mr.. Robbins considerably more spac
t. imam the original article complained of
ct more than the substance of his remarl
r seems to require, for while finding fau
e, with the original article, it will be n,
of t1eed that he does not deny very muc
Mr.: Robbins was not charged with eth,
r. high crimes or misdemeanors, but IL
al TACT of his candidacy for surveyor gel
w ;" eral was given as a motive for his acti,
" 1ty In behalf Of Mr.. Dunn. The cand
. 1 dacy Mr.. Robbins does not deny. -
ne The only correction Mr. Robbins O
ng fers has to do with the statement that
10 his letter to a present officeholder
d solicited support and offered to reoipr
| ShIG' Mi. ILOUUl1S denies the Oft6r
ed rec1procate The recipient Of the letter
ks ready to produce proof if necessary, b
49, perhaps the methods employed in seel
>, Ing appointive offices are not material 1
10 sues In the campaign.
ds Very little comment is necessary ,
"a, the rest Of Mr.. Robbins remarks AS
70 the famous merger resolution he intr
duoed In the March convention, it
enough to say that the intent and cha
% acter of that resolution were apparent
W the delegates, and It was laid on the tab
20 without debate by a unanimous VOTE It
~ evident that the issues involved in t
ia merger question are not dead and W
- not down until railroad corporatio
~ cease their efforts to dictate the politi
- Of the state. Mr.. Robbins betrays hir
-. self into admitting this when he ga
~ that altho he had not found any merg
ma sentiment among republicans Of t
state" he feared it would ''become a di
rupting influence" If there was no me
ma ger sentiment, how could 1t be di
en- rupting influence? .-e---.~ ~ H.. g..
err Mr.. Robbins says he has no pledge
le, receiving the appointment for which he
a candidate. T h 9 J ourna has not