The Irish standard., 1910-10-01
! CAMPAIGN OPENED.

-.
'':7'i> !; CAMPAIGN OPENED.
The Democratic state campaign was
formally opened at Fergus Falls Tues
day evening of this week when James
Gray clearly. outlined his policy. in
the gubernatorial contest, Mr.. Gray's
keynote speech was. awaited with in
terest by members ofboth parties, at
tention being concentrated particularly
on the county option question. The
fact that no reference was made In
the Democratic platform to county op
ton caused a good deal Of speculation
regarding the attitude WHICH Mr.. Gray
would take on this question. And 10
the satisfaction of all who were In
terested, it was on this point that the
Democratic nominee made himself par
ticularly clear. After stating that in
his opinion county option, does not
mean prohibition but regulation
which the people should have the right
ito make; that the brewing interests
spend SO much time in brewing poll
tics that scarcely any question can
be decided on Its merits, Mr.. Gray
said: i ',e,. s. ~ So r..
my opponent has said that If a
county option law were presented to
him by the legislature he would sign
II. He could do no less. If elected I
will do more. 1 shall take the position
that my election was a mandate from
the people to put this question up to
the legislature, and shall exercise
the constitutional function of the gov
ernor to recommend proper legislation
to carry out their will.'
= There is no waving of the issue
OF equivocation in the statements here
quoted. The Democratic party In this
state has drawn up it's forces against
the liquor interests and on this issue
whether the people or the interests
shall make the laws-the campaign
will be fought.
On the other leading questions the
Democratic nominee takes a progress
sive stand. He declared for the direct
election of senator's and the adoption
OF the initiative and referendum. Re-
garding".the railroad rate question he
criticized the decision Of Judge Otis
which, If sustained, would nullify the
power of the state to regulate rates
and declared himself opposed to any
laws which gives a corporation with
in the state right. to disregard the
sovereign powers.
Regarding the direct primary, Mr..
Gray attributes to it the defeat IT
"standpat" congressman who are de-
voted to foreign interests and advo-
Gates its extension to state officials,
He emphasized the necessity Of giving
more support to country schools and
extending the teaching Of agriculture
Good roads, he said, are necessary fot
the mutual benefit of city and coun-
try. >
In the matter of conservation, Mr.
Gray is heartily in accord with any
movement which aims to properly
safeguard the natural resources of the
state. On this point he declared that
If elected he would favor the creation
OF a department of conservation
charged with the administration Of
the remaining public lands and ore
beds" AS regards taxation he said
that. in his opinion the income tax
was the only tax which treats individ-
uals and corporations on an equal
basis. 2'. 3Rt
Mr.. Gray's. utterances are clear and
forceful. He has not evaded the ques-
tions at issue. His particularly crisp
and fearless. statement Of his position
on the liquor question will win for him
the confidence of the rank ana lille
of the voters.