The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-08-25
TAKE BACK YOUR COIN
SAYS GOV TO B. OF c.

UHIU uUv III D. VI U,
Governor Eberhart's dignity, so he
believes, has been attacked, and by
the board of control. The attempt
to serve a subpoena on the chief ex-
ecutive summoning him as witness
in the Whittier hearing caused a
commotion in the capitol yesterday.
and the breach which has existed be-
tween the governor and the demo
cratic members of the board has
widened out more than ever. The
governor is mad.
Was Like Red Rag.
F. NJ. Wilson, attorney for Superin-
tendent Whittier, secured subpoena
from the board of control, signed
by Mr. Ringdal, summoning the gov
ernor. He attached to this $1.25, one
dollar in currency and 25 cents in
good bullion of the realm. This he
waved in Archie Hays face. 1t was
more potent than a red flag before a
bull.
The subpoena, the dollar bill, the
quarter and letter which radiated
warmth from every line, was fired
back with a rapidity not usually
shown by the executive clerk.
While Mr. Hays was composing the
letter Governor Eberhart was in con-
ference with Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Weeks. Both refused to admit
that the subpoena was the subject of
the conference, but it is understood
that Governor Eberhart wants to
know just how far the board can
trifle with the dignity of his office.
Was Ready to Appear.
Governor Eberhart believes that he
has been treated with scant courtesy
by the board of control and he did
not take pains to hide his displeas-
ure yesterday on his return from
Duluth.
"They all knew that l was ready
to come before them at any time and
tell them all l know" he said. What
they want to learn from me | do not
know, but if / can throw any light
on the situation l am willing to 60.
l may not be able to go Thursday
morning, but I will be there some
time during the day. The subpoena
was uncalled for
The letter to Mr.. Ringdal, accom-
panying the returned subpoena, fol-
lows:
"The inclosed summons and copy
of same, with $1.25, was handed me
yesterday by Hon. F. M. Wilson, at
torney for F. A. Whittier, superin-
tendent of the state training school
at Redwing, with the request that
same be served on Governor Eber-
hart Immediately on his return. After
giving this matter deliberate consid-
Grafton, and in the absence of Gov
ernor Eberhart, l deem it proper to
decline to present these papers as
requested.
Some More Hot Shot.
1T occurs to me as very strange
that the board of control, one of the
subordinate branches of the state
government of Minnesota of which
Governor Eberhart is chief executive,
should deem it proper or necessary
to issue such formal summons; also
particularly strange that the chair
man shOui.. otter the summons and
money to he served by Judge Will
son, attorney for Mr.. Whittier. 1t
has been well known for weeks past
that the governor has repeatedly ex-
pressed his willingness to testify at
any time called.
"If | as executive clerk have au-
thOrity to accept such summons, |
have equal authority to assure you
that a personal request from the
board or a note from the chairman
asking the presence of the governor
at the hearing on Thursday next will
insure his being on hand at that
time.
81 have the honor to return here
with the two copies of summons and
the money handed me by Judge Will
son."
Swendsen and Ringdal Clash.
at is an insult to subpoena the
governor" declared Mr.. Swendsen
yesterday. at was done without
my knowledge"
nesses read" retorted Mr.. Ringdal
from his corner of the office, as he
swung around in his chair and faced
the republican member.
81 did not hear Governor Eber-
hart's name read" answered Mr..
Swendsen. 81 would never have con-
sented to a subpoena being issued
over the signature of this board for
him, because we all knew that he
was ready to appear before u.s."
"Well, you may not have heard all
the Names" concluded Mr.. Ringdal,
"but you were here when Mr.. Wilson
read the list over, and offered no OBJ
lection"
Mr. Swendsen said that Mr.. Hays
letter will be answered today and
at that time the board probably will
request Governor Eberhart to appear.
Whether the board will be unani-
nous in summoning Governor Eber
hart to appear in different way
than any of the other witnesses
called is a question.
Did Not Intend Insult.
Mr. Ringdal declared that the board
meant no insult to the governor in
issuing the subpoena.
"Mr. Wilson," he said, came into
the office yesterday with a long list
of witnesses to be subpoenaed, and
asked for the signature to blank sub
poenas for them. / signed the ones
asked for and each member heard
the names read of the persons to be
called. l don't know whether Gov