The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-10-22

would be an efficient weapon. With
such law the voters would take the
matter in their own hands, it neces.
sary. The breweries- would be per-
mitted to do business the same as
now in many counties, but am in
cIined to think it would, be during
good behavior. This is the way the
Justices of the supreme court of the
United States hold their offices. I
grant that if we had a county option
law many of the counties in this state
would vote out the saloons. What il
they do? Is the saloon a necessary
part of our civilization? The. longer
l live the less good see in it, Some
years ago trivial incident made an
impression on my mind that cannot
forget
l was out at Portland and took
street car ride into the subsurbs of
the city. stopped at the end of the
car line and walked around a few
blocks. I happened to pass little
Methodist church. A notice nailed on
the side of it attracted my attention. 1
read these four words in crude, large
letters, THE saloon wants boys" NV
attention was riveted by that notice
as 1t never had been by any other
notice. l thought of my boys. Almost
unconsciously I began to scrutinize it.
It was an old -four sack, split open.
The trademark of the mill showed
through. Who did the lettering? Who
put it there and why? Was it a
widows desperation or was it a
broken-hearted mothers revenge?
High-Priced Penmanship.
The more I reflect on this whole
| subject, the more intensely feel that
the people Of this state have a rioht
| to know how the candidate of the
dominant party stands on the question
Of county option. It is no answer to
say that he swil sign a bill If it is
laid on his desk. The people of this
state are not paying the governor
$1,000 year for his mere autooraph.
The governor reviews the work
done by some Of the state officials in
his address. l believe it is only fair.
to say that the administration work
| in all branches of the state govern
ment has never been more efficiently
| conducted than in the last six years.
| The divided responsibility which poll:
| ticians spoke of with forebodings has
trary. believe it essential to the best
interests of the state that all the Of
icers should not be of the same party
The question of conservation has
received much attention lately, but in
this state It has been confined largely
to the platform variety. sincerely
hope that the subject will not be made
the football Of partisan politics. It is
too important. Forest fires are now
raging and the terrible destruction of
life and property in the northern part
of the state should arouse the people
to the necessity of action rather than
talk.
In this connection l want also to
caution the people against taking
rash and ill-considered action on this
subject of conservation. The last
legislature passed a bill p->viding for
constitutional amendment M%ich will
be submitted to the voters for adop-
ton or rejection at this coming cleo
ton. The amendment if adopted, will
exempt property from taxation <whiCh
it is proposed to devote to forestry
| This, in my Judgment. would be a
hands of the legislature. Not that
! IAlAA IAoI IuC 4O5loicLlu1c WOulu
knowingly or advisedly abuse the pow
er, but the great danger is that enact
ments might be gotten through in the
form of "Woodchucks," as it is com
monty known, or. in the hurry of the
expiring hours of a session. If. by
such means, an ill-advised law should
be passed, it would enable large prop
erty owners to take advantage of it
| IN INN if1y fro TO-
their property, perhaps, forever. Such
Immunity, once granted, under con-
stitutional authority, would have the
force and effect of a contract with
the state and could only be terminated
by the exercise of eminent domain. I
feel that the pople of this state have
no right to take such chances.
In the course Of my remarks l have
commented on the governors attitude
on public questions, but I desire it
distinctly understood that my criti'
cisms are not prompted by any feeling
Of either personal or partisan hostil
ity. The governor has many good
qualities, acknowledge that cheer
fully. criticize him because he has
deliberately cast his lot with that eIe-
nent of his party which is not exert
ing itself for the public good, but U.s.
ing every effort Of sophistry and cor
ruption to thwart the will of the PEG.
pie. My grievance against the COVER
nor is that Of citizen and that only.
He had the opportunity when chance
| placed him In the highest office in the
state to repudiate his former affiIia-
tions and take stand for the people
and for square DEAL" This was his
duty as citizen, as an American, yes,
more; It was his duty as born Swede.
The Reelection of Clapp.
If the real issues involved in this
campaign could be understood and
| appreciated by the people in their full
bearing, there would be no question
about the result. But our opponents
| will not and do not discuss these is
sues on their merits. They are ap-
| pealing to party prejudices and to
party pride. understand that it is
| everywhere urged in behalf of the
governors election and in behalf of
| the election of standp pat candidates to
the legislature that party success all
along the line is necessary to secure