Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-13
( X X * X * X X X k-kkkk
( Governor Eberhart's State.
ment.
1.-THE County Option move.

4AC ~O0A4Ay 0PtAOA AAOvSe
ment is a non-partisan move
ment,. and every delegate to
this convention is commits
stoned as non-partisan dele
gate. I have been requested
to state to this convention
what shall be my position as
to County Option, and conse-
quently what, in my opinion,
should be the position of the
Republican party with refer
ence thereto.
Every fair minded person
will admit that my declaration
at this time as to whether I
shall or shall not favor Coun-
ty Option in this state will
force me to make that declar-
alton good in the Republican
state convention, or be elimi-
mated from its consideration,
it means that I must use the
Office of the chief executive
OF this state to force the Re-
publican state convention to
adopt my view, irrespective of
what the majority might de-
sire. In other words, it would
compel me to use the execu-
tive department of this state
to attempt to dictate to the
Republican party it's position
on this question, which is
neither right nor in keeping
with our ideas of popular or
party government.
"The forcing of the execu-
tive department of this state
into the County contest means
even more than that. Under
our constitution the legislative
and executive departments are
entirely distinct and independ-
ent, and any undue interfer-
ence on the part of the chief
executive in matters of legis-
lation~ is not only wrong in
principle, but disastrous in re-
suits.
II am we'll aware that where
a political party has pledged
itself to the enactment of Ger
tain reforms it is not only per-
MISSILE but proper for the
chief executive representing
that party to urge legislative
action to carry out such re-
forms, but in advance of any
such declaration by a political
party or by the people at large,
the chief executive has no
right to use the influence of
his Office to dictate legislation.
IF my declaration at this
time for or against County OPP
ton does not mean what I
have stated, then it means
merely play to the galleries
for the purpose of satisfying
one side or the other, a posi-
ton altogether unworthy of
anyone occupying the highest
gift of the people.
s"There is only one conse-
quence which my entry into
the County Option fight would
make certain, and that is such
a division within the ranks of
the Republican party as would
rebound solely to the advan-
tage of the opposition. No one
has been able to suqpest anv
benefits to the County Option
movement which my declara-
ton at this time would bring
about, but on the other hand,
judging from past experience,
it is safe to assume that it
would result in the division
and possible defeat of a party
which has given US all the tenn
perance legislation now on our
statute books.
II have given this matter
very careful consideration and
sincerely and earnestly believe
that it is my duty to await and
support the platform Of the
Republican party, and in case
a County Option law is passed
by the legislature while I am
governor, it will receive my
approval and together with all
other laws of the state be en-
forced"
4 ~ 4 444 Y X X Y \ \ 4 \ i