The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-01-08

tndt all grain inspection WORK In this
state, whether under the railroad and
warehouse commission or under the
direct appointment of the governor,
be subjected to civil service test.
would also recommend in the inter-
est OF efficiency an amendment to the
present law by which the term of of
flee of members OF the grain inspec
ton board be terminated one each
year, the plan being that the boards
at Minneapolis and Duluth shall al
ways have two old members.
Governor Johnson then refers indi-
Vldually to the various state institu-
tons and public departments, includ-
ing the Soldiers home, the state bank
ing department. the department of
public examiner, the state sanitorium
Tor consumptiveS and the institutions
caring for the states unfortunates. He
recommends state reformatory build
ing for women prisoners.
Regulation of Public Utilities.
Minnesota is one of the states that
have not yet taken up the subject of
state regulation of public utility cor
pOrations, like street and suburban
electric railways, telephone. telegraph,
power and lighting companies. We
have railway and warehouse COM
mission for the supervision of rail
roads and elevators; but the time has
come in the states development when
the supervision of street and suburban
electric railways, and of telephone and
telephone companies is likewise of
prime Importance, both in the interest
of the general public, which receives
the service, the state and municipal
ity, which grants the franchises for
the use of the public streets and high
ways, and the stockholders and other
investors. I trust this legislature will
give this subject it's early and earnest
attention.
] desire to renew the recommends
ton made by me to the last legisla-
ture in the matter of the enactment
of law covering what is generally
known as the advisory initiative and
referendum, which would permit the
people of the state, county, city, vii
lage or town to express their views
upon questions affecting their organi-
cation. The enactment of law pro-
Viding for the advisory initiative and
referendum can be accomplished with
out constitutional amendment and |
firmly believe that such legislation is
desirable.
Primary Election Law.
While there are doubtless some
minor defects in our present primary
election law and because of these de-
fects the law in it's operation is not
just what the trainers of it anticipated
it might be, and because of these de-
fects some notifications of the law as
it stands now may be necessary. 1t
is urged, and with much reason, that
the law in its present form permits
perjury. fraud, deceit and misrepre
sentation and a total disregard for the
entire electoral system. Citizens called
upon to declare their political affilia-
lions feel that election judges tres
pass upon their constitutional rights
They feel also that no one has the
right to deny to them the fullest and
most complete participation in public
affairs. Whatever criticism may have
been made, just or unjust, ] am more
than ever convinced of the correct
ness of the principle of the law under
lying the system and | feel this SO
strongly that | earnestly urge upon
bo LII h.,
necessary notifications in the law as
applied to present conditions and
desire to go even further than that
and say that in my Judgment better
results would be obtained by extend
ing the primary election law so that
officers of the state IL the law is a
proper one as applied to the election
of congressman, district Judges, cOtIn
ty, city and state officers it certainly
would be a proper one as applied 10
the elective officers of the state. That
there will be differences of opinion in
this matter. as there have ever been
! am aware, but in the states where
the primary election law has been eX
tended universally the most complete
satisfaction obtains.
Conclusion.
Finally, gentlemen of the legisla
ture, we 1--we in and owe allegiance to
one of the greatest commemorative in
the American Union and we approach
our respective duties at the period of
the states highest development and
prosperity and therefore at the period
of the states greatest legislative and
executive responsibility and oppor'
tunity. Whatever may be our respec-
tive personal and political affiliations
and ideas our duties and our purposes,
| am sure. are one; namely, the pro-
lection and advancement of the high
est public interests of our common
wealth Elected to our respective po-
sitions by the same people and to
serve the one common cause our mis-
sion here is one and the same, to give
the best service there is in us to the
state as whole. as we have sworn
to do under the guidance of our con-
stitution. Whatever may appear to
be our respective obligations to par,
ties. classes and sections these obliga-
tions are swallowed up and patriotic
ally and religiously redeemed in the
one duty of public service to the state
OF Minnesota There is surely no OBJ
LEGATION TO Darty class or section para