The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-01
state Development.

To the Editor of The journal.
On mature reflection the st. Cloud Jour-
nal-Press has determined that it is not
opposed to state development as an
issue in the next political campaign. But
it still insists that there is no party adj
vantage gained by that issue.
It says: Governor Johnson will make
that just as prominent an issue as will
the republicans OF course Johnson will
promise. We will not be satisfied with
that We want fulfllment. The main OBJ
ject the great mass of the people have in
demanding such an issue Is the general
benefit that will come to all.
Since Mr.. Johnson has been governor
a plan has been thought out and placed
upon our statutes providing for advertis-
ing state land sales, and incidentally adj
vertising the whole state. In consequence
of the passage Of that law and the inter-
est that was aroused during its consid-
GRAFTON, the immigration agent, an officer
created by that law, secured free trans
portation from the railroads for all the
agricultural editors that could be induced
to go. On that trip the leading agricul-
turalists OF the west were among the
guests.
They visited the northern part of the
state, and on their return home they
wrote column after column, week after
week, saying that northern Minnesota is
OllS VI lIlS USSI udAy duu CSdtlic ScCllOAS
Of the continent. The home papers awoke
to the Importance of doing something and
| now every one of the eight counties
| where state sales are to be held this
spring have taken up the work Of adver-
Using, got out maps showing the relative
| location Of state lands to schoolhouses,
churches, villages and railroads, also
showing lakes and streams. If the local
papers in those counties tell the truth
| their coDonoorcia1 h06ieS ha raraivpH
hundreds of letters and some of them
thousands Of letters from people every
where. All Of this Is free advertising. It
hasn't cost the state a cent. If sub
stantial evidence is to be taken as proof,
just on what state lands were sold last
fall the state cleared up net profit of
$500, 900. 1t received that much more
lands had they been sold in the old way.
1t not only cleared up 100000, but it got
a. whole lot of settlers. Private land
sales to actual settlers were made all
over the state to men attracted here by
the advertising. It was one Of the best
things that has happened the state in
years. Wherein did Governor Johnson
help this project along? .
i During the last few months the drain
age question has received a great deal OF
agitation. Thru this agitation the con-
gress Of the United States is now appro-
priating $4,000 to create a comprehen-
sive system of drainage Of the Red Lake
Indian reservation, and when that system
Is completed the chances are one hundred
to one that the congress will appropriate
5000, 900 to drain that reservation, anG
thus prepare for homes and farms millions
Of acres Of otherwise worthless lands
This Is all brought about by agitation, by
creating public sentiment, and it hasn't
cost the state cent. Again, what die
Governor Johnson do to help this work
along? Even echo don't answer this time
I'll tell you about Governor Johnson
When he was in the senate, If he mad,
any record at all, it was in opposing stat,
development He did the very worst h
could The only reason why he didn'
! do more harm was because he wasn't
big enough man. Since he has been gov
ernor he, has sinned away the day q
grace. He has occupied the chair tina
ought to be filled by man who will hell
: at least little Bit If the state has sue
ceeded, it has been in spite Of Johnson
Let us first decide upon our issues. LIE
us get our platform ready and then fin
candidate to fit. the platform, and nc
select candidate and then try to bull
. a platform to fit the man, as some ar
l apparently trying to do.
If the republican party dominates
Il good business man or a. good farmer,
0 man who thinks and studies, man wit
n constructive ability, a man who doe
= things and does them right, an homes
r man, a man possessed of both devotio
q and ability, a man who will be a positi1
7. aid in the work. Of state developmel
y (and the republican party Is full of sue
= mem, standing on the right platform
e Johnson will be beaten in the race befol
y he leaves the wire. With such a cand
8 date and such a platform Johnson wi
IS be an easy mark. .-..
IL There never was a better chance fl
= victory if they only put up Johnson {
'r the other side, and providing that we g
a up platform and put a candidate up<
1t it that the farmers and business men W
~ stand for. II B. Roberts.
Western. Mimi, March 80, 1906.