The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-10-05
commission has also rendered the

commission has also rendered the
state valuable services. After q thor.
ough inquiry and Investigation. an or.
der was mode reducing express rates
20 per cent on merchandise and pro-
duce and correcting a number of In,
equalities which previously existed.
The commission, composed Of Judge
Ira Mills, c. F. Staples. candidate fol
reelection this year, and Elias E
Elmquist, ranks in personnel and
services rendered with any like body
in the entire country.
State Highway Commission.
The state highway commission was
organized in January, 1906, in order
to meet great demand for improve.
ment of the public highways: The
theory of road betterment, as at first
outlined, contemplated the construc.
ton Of expensive and permanent roads
OF stone and gravel, but careful in
vestigation of road conditions con.
vinced the commission that the in:
terests Of the people could be better
served by applying state aid to the
general improvement OF the common
earth roads. This plan has been con:
sistently carried out, and so far has
met the general approval of the peo-
pie. A marked improvement has been
noted in the method of construction
by town and county authorities, who
have been informed, advised and in:
structed by the commission, through
the medium of correspondence, print
ed instructions and personal visits:
49,. T.. Summing Up.
This is summary of the important
issues in this campaign, my position
with reference thereto and a brief &C.
counting of my short stewardship. As
the executive of a great business in.
stitution have reported to the board
of directors and stockholders. 1t is
for the people, Of the state to judge
whether or not l have discharged my
duty faithfully and conscientiously,| So
that I may be deserving of their re
newed confidence. Like all others
who have occupied important public
positions 'Ihave3 made mistakes. Nc
man ever. received better, treatment
al the hands of.,the public, and while
some criticism may have been unjust
I have always consoled myself with
the thought that unjust criticism could
not injure and just criticism was an
invaluable guide to follow in the path
Of duty. The press of the state has
been especially friendly and I wish to
express my appreciation of it's loyal
and unselfish support. Whatever may
have been the shortcomings of this ad
ministration, can 60 before the PEG
pie of the state with the assurance
that l have endeavored to give them
the very best service of which l was
capable; that have labored diligently
to learn the needs of the state and its
great opportunities for development
and that by reason of such experience
/ have become better fitted to serve
in the future than in the past. TIC
merit the confidence and good will OF
the people has been my sole ambition
and 1 leave my, case in their hands.
feeling that their verdict will be just
The true greatness of our state can.
not be measured in terms of wealth.
territory, commerce or industry, but
rather in the prosperity and happiness
of the people, the purity of the homes,
the efficiency of the schools, the sane.
tity of the churches, the enforcement
of equal rights to all and special
privileges to none, and the honesty
and integrity Of our citizenship. Our
work at the polls should therefore be
an endorsement Of what is highest,
cleanest and most intelligent in
American citizenship. True, we can.
not expect to eradicate selfishness and
approach perfection, but we have q
right to expect that the public con:
science shall continue to quicken and
civic virtue continue to spread, and
that character, honesty, integrity and
ability shall be the standard by which
personal worth is determined; that
the record of every public official shall
resemble torch, that is, the more it
is shaken the more it will burn. We
have right to expect that justice
shall be meted out to all alike, and
that every law of the land shall be
enforced against the strong and the
weak, the rich and the poor equally
and without fear or favor, and to that
end l. pledge my earnest and hearty
" cooperation. = = ~