Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-11-02

done by some of the state officials in
his address. 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
not proved disastrous. On the con-
trary, believe it essential to the best
interests of the state that all the Of
ficers 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
nope that the subject will not be made
the football Of partisan politics. 1t 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 I want also to
caution the people against taking
rash and ill-considered action on this
subject Of conservation. The last
legislature passed bill providing for
constitutional amendment which 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
most dangerous power to put in the
hands of the legislature. Not that I
think that the legislature would
knowingly or advisedly abuse the pow
err, 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 session. If, by
such means, an ill-advised law should
be passed, it would enable large prop
erty owners to take advantage of it
and secure immunity from taxation for
their property, perhaps, forever. Such
immunity, once granted, under con.
stitutional authority, would have the
force and effect of contract with
the state and could only be terminated
by the exercise of eminent domain. l
feel that the pople of this state have
no right to take such chances.
In the course of my remarks I have
NoAAACACCu I'll tu0 SOV6IuUI dIClCuOG
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, I acknowledge that cheer.
fully. criticize him because he has
deliberately cast his lot with that ele.
ment Of his party which is not exert.
Ing itself for the public good, but us.
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 afiiIia-
tons 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.
1t 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 standpat candidates to
the legislature that party success all
along the line is necessary to secure
the return to the senate of Sen. CIapp.
! say to you, my friends, that the only
menace to Sen. CIapp's return to tho
senate is the success of the Smith
regime at the polls. If Smith wins, |
fear that clapP will lose. Sen. clapp
has nothing to fear from the election
Of progressive Republicans or pro-
gressive Democrats. They will be
for him to man. My name has been
mentioned as possible aspirant for
the office that Sen. Clapp holds. I
tell you now, once and for all, that
[ am not candidate for that office,
or any other Office, state or national,
and when I say this the people of this
state have a right to take me at my
word and have right to believe that
they will. Sen. clapp is doing tho
work that ] should endeavor to do
were ! in his place and he Is doing it
better, believe, than | could. This is
no time for "swapping horses" The
duty Of the hour, and our duty In this
campaign is to forget our partisan.
ship, forget our labels, and to stand
together shoulder to shoulder and
wrest from the standpatters, state
and national, the control of tho oov.
eminent.