davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

A business administration is con
structive administration; an admins
tration that is systematized along
business lines; an administration that
is governed by man schooled in bust
ness methods, efficiency and progress
iveness.
What is a government of the state
but a business proposition? A large
percentage of the laws and transac-
lions of the state pertain to business.
Government of the state is a matter
of dollars and cents, and who knows
better than a business man the value
of a dollar? In its final analysis the
government of the state is a business
mans job.
The tendency of the times is toward
the belief that the knowledge and ex-
perience of a business man is a bet,
ter foundation of executive ability for
the administration of public affairs
than legal lore.
Business Policy Will Check Steady
Drain on the Taxpayer.
"The Missouri Commonwealth is
largest, and does more business,
spends more money, employs and
cares for more people, than any cor
poration in the State" Houchin is
telling the voters. "And yet, they say
that this great institution is losing
ground. If this is true, what should
Missourians do? The taxpayers of the
state, the men whose property values
depend upon Missouri's progress, the
men who are interested in seeing the
wealth, the credit and the reputation
of Missouri preserved, should rise tt
the occasion and see that proper man
agement is applied.
"They should come back to that ole
party that has done so much for the
state; that party that paid the deb
and burned the bonds, and gave u:
the lowest tax rate of any state in the
,,-;o- az NC NOT oritioign fhn OnnI
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

Friends of James A. Houchin are
constantly speaking of his devotion tc
his wife and only daughter, who are
not altogether pleased with his am.
bition to become the Democratic Gov,
ernor of Missouri, which Office he is
now busily campaigning for, as the
political race means his continued alb
sence from home.
When in Jefferson City, Houchin is
seldom separated from his wife, who
is a pretty, demure little woman
thoroughly in love with her home and
household duties. Both live only for
their daughter, Myrene, a gentle little
brunette, who is a prime favorite with
Jefferson Cityans.
Mrs. Houchin was a Miss Clark,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. B. F. Clark,
native Jefferson City people, and since
her marriage to Houchin she has de-
voted her moments to making a real
home of their stone mansion in the
exclusive residence district of Jeffer-
son City. She cares little for society
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

The political history Of Missouri,
taking in the period from the end of
the civil war to the present time, were
It possible to give a succinct and &C
curate record of the events, would no
doubt prove most interesting work.
But with the meager facilities the
writer has for obtaining accurate data
on the early part q the period it can
only be given in a general way.
Missouri emerged from the civil war
devastated and broken Gin spirit and
body" so to speak, having been raw
aged by both armies in that terrible
conflict. Missouri had many soldiers
on both sides of the fence. The drain
on her had been severe and the affairs
of state were indeed in a deplorable
condition.
Gov. Claiborn F. Jackson, who was
elected in 1860, served but a short
while when hostilities broke out be-
tween the states, and he cast his lot
with the South. At convention held
on July Is, 1861, Hamilton R. Gam
Die OIL l. LOulS "cS SuOoOh NO'SAh
He died January 81, 1864, and the then
Lieutenant Governor, Willard P. Hall,
of Buchanan county, was elected Gov
ernor. In 1864 Thomas c. Fletcher
of st. Louis was elected Governor.
He was succeeded by Joseph W. Nc.
CIurg of Camden in 1868. During
the latter administration there arose
differences between those in the lead
of the Republican party which ended
In a bolt by B. Gratz Brown in 1872
The Democratic party had up to
this time been in hopeless condi'
ton. They espoused the cause OF
Brown, and with the dissatisfied ele
ment of the Republican party at the
time, elected B. Gratz Brown Gov
ernor. This proved to be the open
ing wedge to success, and at the next
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

week. l wired nome the glad news
and the event was about the happiest
day Of my life.
Not Money But an Opportunity.
If the proprietor had said $500 per
week, the position would have been
accepted just the same. 1t was not
money, but an opportunity, that L
was looking for. l worked in this
position two years and resigned to i'm
prove my condition, and from 1894
to the present time have been identi-
fed with what is now my company
The Star Clothing Manufacturing
Company. l took entire charge of
the business in 1897, and from that
day to the present time its history is
an open book. ~
l do not boastingly make this state
ment concerning my record, but 1 am
asking the people of this state to con-
fer a great honor on me, and they
have a right to know my record and
my reputation. 1t is an open book,
and l gladly open its pages for your
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

state who are growing more import
ant to success every day.
We must nominate a man who will
solidify the party and bring out the
full vote in November. He must be
one who will harmonic all factions
of the party and at che same time be
acceptable to the Independent voter.
That man is prominently Mr.. James
A. Houchin of Jefferson City. We be-
lieve that greater economy can yet
be practiced in the affairs of the state
government by placing in the guber-
Material chair a thoroughly competent
business man, one whose only ambi-
ton is to serve the people of Missouri
only one time by applying the prin-
ciples of the states affairs which has
made him one of the most successful
business men in the state.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25
MISSOURI MOST PROSPEROUS
UNDER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT
James A. Houchin, as Governor, Would
Strengthen the Democratic
Party's Prestige

worthy of their support. That the
reader may follow the financial poll
cies of the Democratic party in deal
ing with debt-paying and taxation, we
copy the following figures from the
official manual of the State of Mis-
souri,:
Missouri Rate Of Taxation for State
Purposes, 1S6O-19OS. For 1S6O-Revenue
tax zoe on the 800; interest tax 1Oc on
the 500; asylum tax, 1-60 Of 1 per cent
poll tax, 3713c.
tax, zoe; revenue poll tax, $1.00; military
poll tax, $500; military Communication tax
| of $50 each upon persons exempted from
military service; and one per cent upon
For 1S65-Revenus tax, 4Oc; military
poll poll tax tax. $500.
tax, soc; military poll tax, $500; revenue
For 1S67-Revenue tax, Csc; revenue
| poll tax, SOC; state interest tax, 4Oc.
For 1S6S-Revenue tax, 25c; revenue
DOLL tax, soc; state interest tax, Csc.
For 1869, 1870 and 1871-Revenue tax,
25c; interest tax, Csc. .o-- 1,o
| For 1872, 1873, 1874 and 1S75-ReVenue
| tax zoe; interest tax, Csc.
For 1876, 1877 and 1S7S-Revenue TAX
zoe; interest tax, zoe. az
| For 1889 to 1S91-Revenue TAX zOc' IN
For 1892 to 19o2-Revenue tax, 15e; in
| terest tax, 10c. Total Csc on the $lOO.
| For 1903-Revenue tax, 15c; interest
tax. &c. Total 1Sc on the 500.
For 1904 to 190s-Revenue tax, !5c; in
terest tax, &c. Total lie on the 500.
When we scrutinize the above in
connection with the immense debt
left. to the Democratic party we can
realize what a benefit Democracy has
been to the people Of the state. The
Democratic Governors have made
the above possible by applying the
principles of the Democratic party to
the affairs Of state. Besides paying
off this great debt, they have con-
stantly reduced the taxation, until
Missouri has the lowest tax rate OF
any state in the union.
We can all point via pride to the
| IL, Md
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

credited, and the order of the Folk
campaign was completely reversed,
the Governor was defeated and the
rest of the ticket elected.
In reviewing the four years of
Governor Hadley's administration,
and comparing it's service with the
splendid record of the Democratic
party it would appear that there can
be but little doubt that the state will
go Democratic in November with an
unheard of majority. But let us not
be too sanguine of success.
If Democrats would win the
victory they must put forward a
ticket that will not only command the
respect of the Democratic voters and
reunite the factions, but it must also
command the respect of the great
body of Independent voters of the
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

and only on rare occasions does she
consent to appear at social events.
Her home duties, to which she gives
her personal attention, are more in
teresting to her than the glare of So
cial life among the Capital City Of
fetal set.
James A. Houchin likes to have his
family around him and did not rest
until all his near relatives resided in
Jefferson City, where he was success
full in establishing himself. First he
induced his two brothers to locate In
Jefferson City, and then Influenced his
two sisters husbands to move to that
place.
After that his mother and father
moved to Jefferson City, where Hou-
chin has bought them a beautiful
home with the latest of modern i'm
provements. Every Sunday afternoon
Houchin goes to the home Of his
parents and spends the entire after
noon. He never leaves the city with
out he sees his mother and father.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

ity. The trial balance has been taken,
the loss and gain has been counted,
and Great, Grand, Proud, Imperial
Missouri has gone backI 1t has been
heralded to the world and should
cause every loyal Missourian to blush
with shame.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

than 1t was Immediately after the
ravages Of the war. He was confront
ed with an immense debt, caused by
Republican mismanagement and ILL
advised legislation, and an empty
treasury, coupled with an extraordi-
nary heavy rate of taxation, which
was left as legacy to the Democ-
racy Of the state. Gov. Woodson set
to work with vim to show the peo-
pie Of the state that his party was a
party Of the people, and entirely
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

"Old Guard" and the Folk or reform
element Of the party in the state. A
majority of the party became dis
satisfied with the machine rule which
had control of the party at that time,
and the result was that in 1904, Jo-
seph w. Folk was elected. The party
was disguised with the machine rule
and the above result was a terrible
rebuke to their methods.
In 1908, after a spirited campaign,
the nominee for Governor was dis
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

gan struggle with an eye single to
this end, and in 1874 Silas Woodson
OF Buchanan county, the first Demo-
crat after the war, was elected Gov
ernor of Missouri. He found the
state in worse condition financially
from the few years of Republican rule,
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

quit that BUSH sss to take up the more
sacred work on using my commercial
knowledge in TN management of the
big Missouri corporation. If exclusive
devotion to that work can bring sue
cess l can assure you that my term
of office will be successful"
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

strongest eh6rts to see nat the ma
jority for the ticket %November is
as large as possible.
Unfortunately, ten years ago there
came split in the Democratic ranks,
when there sprang up serious rival
ry between what was known as the
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

JuoCTOO 60 eII' THIS UuLy SnOulQ De
exercised especially when the office
is so important as that of chief ex-
ecutive of the state. To enable the
citizens to form some idea of my fit
ness for the position of Governor, 1
give a synopsis of my career and a
condensed statement of my principles
for the betterment of conditions in
Missouri.
was born October 10, 1869, near
Atlanta, Logan county, Illinois. My
parents lived on a farm, and my
earthly life up to II years, was spent
on the farm. My education consisted
of about four months out of each year
at the country school, and the remain
der of the year my services were re-
quired at home to help with the
crops. Afterward 1 spent about three
years in the schools of Lincoln, Illi-
nois.
January 2, 1891, entered the Gem
City Business College of Quincy, ILL.,,
and finished the commercial course
there in about five months. About the
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

Politicians have been corgregating
in the spacious lobby of the Madison
Hotei in Jefferson City for the past
sixty years without interruption. Whfs-
pered conferences have resulted in
Governors being made and Cnmade.
The historic building is constructed
along expensive lines and single rooms
today would easily convert into three
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

or four ordinary rooms. 1t is a favor.
lite meeting place of the state officials
and the big Gun" politicians of the
state.
1t was here that Houchin nourished
his present ambition and from where
he distributed throughout Missouri
thousands of booklets explaining why
he was candidate for the governor
ship.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25
WHY ASPIRE TO BE GOVERNOR?

Many who did not know that 1 had
concluded to be a candidate have
asked that question. l have always
supported my party, financially and
otherwise, but have never before
taken an active part in politics.
To the question why aspire to be
Governor there is but one answer
the honor that goes with the office and
the desire to be of service to my
state. 1t is a surprise to some of my
friends that 1 would take this view Of
it.
And at first 1 told my friends who
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

suggested the step that 1 could not
afford it, but they pointed out to me
that l could, and l now say that ]
would prize that honor at this time
of my life beyond any financial return
that 1 might hope to gain from con.
t!nuing in business. My friends IN
sisted that there was something more
in life than financial gain to be consid-
cred, and that the title of "Chief Ex-
ecutive" of Missouri was worth the
financial sacrifice of any man. After
due consideration l decided that they
were right.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25

time had finished my course the col
lege received an inquiry for a young
man who understood short hand and
bookkeeping, and l was greatly
pleased to hear that 1 seemed to be
the only available candidate. After
the exchange of a few letters with
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-07-25
His Life an Open Book.

It should be not only the desire, but
also the duty, of every voter to be-
come familiar, as far as possible,
with the capabilities and trustworthi-
ness of a candidate for office in tie
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-04

we want to say that We have abso-
utely no intention of making our
selves obnoxious to Mr.. Larson or
any Of his assistants, it it looks
to lis as if it would have been far
better way for him to allow US the
asked 'or privilege in order to oh.
tain what few notes and copies we
needed at our own expense than to
put someone to work at seventy-fve
to hundred dollars a month making
copies and let the county pay for it
as long as we sent a trustworthy
man who could hardly be suspected
any intention Of mutilating or
nurloining any of them and who, be-
sides, would be doing his work under
the very eyes Of the whole orce of
the office. but then, of course, as
long as there are plenty of taxes
coming in to pay the fiddler there
is probably no occasion to practice
economy especially as long as there
are SO many who have boys and girls
who are willing to sell their services
to the dear old county. We, how
ever, think that we will be able to
convince the Auditor that the people
a. this county have a moral and
lcsal right to examine their own
public records and, as soon as the
Judge Of the district court, who, at
present, is. out Of the city, returns,
steps will be taken to bring about
that conviction, in the meanwhile It
will be interesting to note what "The
dear People, will think about it.
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-04
The Independent Will Endeavor to Sc
cure Certain Information Thru A
More Drastic Method---Judge
Leighton Out of the City

It having been suggested to the
Independent from time to time by
different people who are in position
to know that the County was being
overcharged in various ways, we de-
cided to send man up to the Office Of
the County Auditor, Louis A. Larson
I or the purpose of looking over tho
proceedings and records in order to
satisfy ourselves as to whether there
were any actual foundations to the
reports. Our representative was
first told that he might 60 ahead and
examine the proceedings but he had
no sooner taken a volume Of them
down rom the shelves than Mr..
Larson stepped up and inquired as
to in whose interest he was working
and upon being informed that it was
for the Ward County 1ndep endent
he withdrew his permission pending
the consent of the County Board who
was expected to resume their after
noon session shortly. Our man &C
cordingly waited patiently until the
Board reconvened when he laid his
case before them and was informed
that, as far as they were concerned,
they had no objection whatever to
his examining anything he desired
but expressed their opinion that ~
had no right either to grant or re-
fuse such request and referred him
back to Mr.. Larson, who, point
blank, refused the permission but
stated that we might have certified
copies Of anything we desired. Now,
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-04
THE BOARD Will
PROCEED With
WORK ON THE
RANSTAD SITE
Normal Board Anxious to Bring tho
Much Mooted Question to Focus
Matter 10 Up to Andy Miller.

The members of the state Normal
Board met in Minot Tuesday and
Wednesday for the purpose oil taking
some definite action concerning the
Minot Normal school. Upon motion
of Secretary Wilson, seconded by
Mr.. Rishworth, the board voted to
instruct the architects, Haxby & Gil
lespie to 60 ahead with the plans
and the survey of the Ramstad site,
so that work may be started on the
buildings during the summer. The
proviso, however accompanied a mo-
ton that the attorney general advise
the board that such action Is not in
conflict with the litigation pending in
judicial proceedings, and the same
he wholly legal. All members voted
in liavor of this motion, except Mar
tin jacobson and Herman Nelson.
The matter is now up 10 Atty.
General Miller and his decision win
be awaited with interest.
There was rather stormy session
Tuesday. Grant s. Youmans, chair
man al the conciliatoU committee
charged Martin Jacobson with being
the stumbling block in the way Of
Minot getting this Normal school.
Jacobson however blames the board
for not sticking to the original site
and indirectly duplicates Gov.
Burke.
The plaintiffs deny that they are
delaying the matter, and say their
notice q. appeal was filed within
three days after they had been OIL
cially notified of Judge Templeton's
adverse decision. They have a year
in which to take the case to the ST.
IRENE court, and naturally every one
is anxious for the case to be decided
early, that work may start on the
buildings this summer.
The board will meet again IN May
when bids ,.or the work will be re-
cetved. ss .... .. ,.-.~.s. ,.
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-04
THE M|N0T LAND
"a
DISTRICT ENLARGED
Practically All o. Fort eerthoId Res
District and Records Transferred.

The U. s. land office of this city
has received notice from the general
land Office to the effect that all Of
that part OF the Fort Berthold Indian
reservation in the state as lies north
and east OF the mid channel of the
Missouri river and situated in the
Bismarck, Dickinson and Williston
land districts has been made a part
of the Minot land district and all rec
ords concerning that territory will be
transferred to the Minot landoffice.
This was done for the sake Of con-
venience
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-04
M|NOT LAD HAS
RAISED 1000
BUSHELS OF
FINEST CORN
Clarence Coulter Grew II Acres Of
Especially Good Corn on Farm Last
Year-Cuitivated it Five Times and
Pulled the Weeds

Clarence Coulter, Minot boy,
eighteen years old, raised 1000 bu-
shells of corn from fourteen acres
near Voltaire last year He is the
son of Thomas Golfer and planted the
corn on his fathers farm between
May and 10. He cultivated the
corn five times and picked the Rus
sian thistle by hand. walking thru
the fields day after day until he got
the corn as clean, as it could be.
This splendid achievement Of Z
boy only eighteen years old is
splendid tribute, not only to his own
thrift and industry, but also to the
possibilities of corn raising in North
Dakota. Young Golfer accomplished
this during his summer vacation.
Soon after he planted the corn he
noticed that he would need a cu1tt-
vator. He did not like to ask his
father for the money, and decided
to haul gravel and earn the money
for the clltivator that way. This
he did, and soon he was working the
cultivator in the corn patch.
Golfer used three varieties o. corn,
Northwestern Dent. Minnesota Thir-
teen and Canada Smut face. The
smut face corn matured the best, but
for all around corn in North Dakota
Mr. Golfer believes that Minnesota
Thirteen has the greatest POSSIBLE
tiles
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-04
WEACANT OUT FOR
REGISTER OF DEEDS
Former Undertaken Believes He viii
Make Stiff Run for Register OF
Deeds-Three Candidates in tho
FieId--

Charles Weagant, who recently
sold his undertaking business in this
city, informs the Independent that
he is candidate or the republican
inclination for Register of Deeds. Mr..
Weagant has a large number OF
friends who will lend him consid-
cradle assistance in the campaign.
He will oppose Gunder Reishus and
F. J. La Rock, yho are already In
the field.