The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-29

In my service as attorney general
and assistant attorney general l
have seen the opportunities.
Question Of Taxation.
There is the question of taxation
which is yet to be worked out, and
affects the interests of every man
in the state. There is the timber
question, the question Of state lands,
and iron ore taxation. The question
of immigration is one which gov
ernor might take hold of with ad-
vantage and give almost his whole
time TO for a term. 1t seemed to
me that man with brains and
some initiative in that office could
do things that would be of great
benefit to everybody in the state.
The office OF attorney general
has been the storm center in the
last seven years, during which |
have been connected with it. Prac-
tically all the achievements of the
party, on which it goes before the
people for Endorsement, are in the
record of the attorney generals Of
fee. In the three years ending this
week, as | will show in a report
am preparing the office has collect
ed about $2,5O0,000 for the state.
Yet | have been fair, | think, and
the business interests of the state
do not feel that | have prosecuted
them.
"Need Be No War;"
There need not be any war be-
tween the people and the business
interests of the state. There is a
great opportunity, as | see it, to
join the railroad interests, the min
ing interests, the land interests. and
other large business interests of the
state in manner 70 benefit the
people OF the state and build it up.
That is why the idea of becoming
a candidate appealed to me.
II am out OF public life. and out
of politics as far as being a candi-
date for office is concerned. I made
pledge when l made my business
arrangements, not only to my part
ner but TO my clients, that | would
not become Il candidate for office.
intend to keep that pledge. | am
happy in leaving the public service.
| am going to live in a beautiful
city and to engage in cOngenial work
free from public responsibilities"
The interview described by the at
torney general took place one day
last August III Minneapolis, and a
third party was present, silent
participant, during practically all Of
the conversation. Mr.. Simpson says
that the talk was friendly all the
way, and that he found out what he
wanted to know.
Smiths Debt to Eberhart.
K. h. Smith owes his position as
chairman of the republican state
committee wholly to Governor Eber-
hart When the nominees Of the
republican state convention met July
6, 1910, to agree on Il state COM
mittee, practically all Of the other
candidates protested against Mr.
Smiths selection as chairman. The
governor insisted and the appoint
ment was made on his personal say,
not by any vote of the candidates.
S. Y. Gordon, then nominee for lieu
tenant governor, opened the protest
as soon as Mr.. Smiths name was
read as chairman. He declared that
owing to Mr.. Smiths Legislative rec.
ord and the general belief that he
was allied with big business intti.
ests as Il political agent, the selec-
ton would weaken the party in the
campaign. Other candidates present
were asked for their opinions. State
Auditor S. G. Iverson said briefly
that he agreed with Mr.. Gordon.
Judge p. e. Brown said that as jul
dicial nominee he did not belong in
the meeting and would not express
?n opinion, although he had heard
the same criticisms as those voiced
Nv Mr.. Gordon. G. E. Elmquist sat
in the meeting as "a representative
C c. f. Staples, his colleague on the
r2iiTcad commission, and said he was
commissioned by Mr.. Staples to pro-
i"St against the Smith appointment.
Julius A. Schmahl, secretary of state,
declared that the governor was right
and that Mr.. Smiths appointment
was a good one. Mr.. Iverson asked
whether the candidates were sup
posed to vote on the proposition,
but got no reply. !. A. Caswell, clerk
OF the supreme court, declined to
express any opinion, but his opposi-
ton to Mr.. Smith was well known.
Finally, Attorney General Simpson,
being called on, said that in his
opinion the selection would be bad
politics. Governor Eberhart repeated
his desire to have Mr. Smith chair
man, and the others conceded him
the right to make the choice.