The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1906-03-15
St. Louis Co. Candidates
State Where They are at
Set a Good Example For Other
Legislative Candidates
Voters Are Entitled to Know What Prospective
Members Of the Legislature Stand For.

The following platform, suggested
by Republicans actively interested in
the welfare of the party and in the
common good has met the approval
of all candidates to whom it has been
submitted:
Nearly one-half of all the lands in
these legislative districts, amounting
to more than three million acres, is
untaxed. A large part of this untaxed
land belongs to the state.
We therefore demand that such
agricultural lands be offered for sale tc
actual settlers at greatly reduced prices,
Thereby, they will furnish homes fol-
our people and be placed upon the tax
rolls; and thereby proper develop
ment of this portion of the state SC
long retarded by an unwise policy
may vigorously 60 on.
To such development the construc-
ton of country roads is pressing
necessity. These districts contribute
lavishly to the state treasury through
their railroads, mines and timber
lands. We demand in return the
appropriation of sum justly proper
tionate for use to our generous
contribution in the extension and
improvement of highways, and that
when so available 1t be wisely and
economically expended.
We urge the speedy drainage of state
swamp lands that the areas so improved
may thereby become of real value to
the state and be available for sale and
to use and development by actual
settlers, and that thereby the agri-
cultural and commercial interests for
this section of the state may be
correspondingly enhanced.
We are heartily opposed to the setting
aside as forest reserves of any lands in
this state which are suitable for
agricultural use. Such segregation
withdraws these lands from settlement
and taxation and is great injustice
to the northern portion of our state.
We believe that municipal ownership
of public utilities under proper
management means better service,
lower rates and wider distribution
among the people of the conveniences
and comforts affected thereby. We
therefore pronounce unqualifiedly in
favor of such ownership, not in the
distant future, but as speedily as the
same can be accomplished.
The primary election system now in
operation in this state must be per-
manently maintained and we favor its
further extension to all state officers.
We favor the election OF United
States senators by direct vote of the
people. Through the action OF a
Republican legislature this state has
already declared in favor of an amend
ment to the constitution Of the United
States which shall so provide. Before
such a measure can be forced upon the
attention of congress thirty states must
take similar action. A large number
has already done so. Until such cleo
ton by direct vote is provided, we
favor, as the nearest approach thereto,
a declaration by candidates for the
state legislature of their preference for
United States senators when such
office is to be filled by their votes.
Pursuant thereto, and recognizing the
eminent and faithful service of Honor
able Knute Nelson as United States
senator from this state, we heartily
endorse him for reelection to his
present position and engage to employ
every legitimate means to accomplish
that end.-Duluth News-Tribune.