New Ulm review., 1912-10-16

Ringdal spoke of his own services as
railroad and warehouse commissioners
in securing reduction of zoe per ton
in freight rates from the iron mines OF
the Vermillion and Mesaba ranges to
the docks on Lake Superior so that
the small investor could work his
property whereas the existing rate
of SOC was prohibitive to any one not
having an interest in the railroads
which did the carrying at such exor-
bitant rates that they could pay divi-
dends amounting to 1867. Mr.. Ring
dal showed the trade connection ex.
istiug between the steel trust and these
railroads and showed how the small
investor was squeezed out and the
growth of monopolies FASTENED. He
showed that there had been a relapse
to the old state of affairs under the
Eberhart regime and asked for the
opportunity to replace the present in
cum bent of the Governors office in
order that he may have a chance to
help correct these abuses which at
present flourish .unabated. He also
spoke of the irregularities existing in
the matter of passenger rates and
showed why these rates are unfair.
Mr.. Ringdal then passed to the part
of his talk explaining his staEd on the
| initiative and referendum. In clear
and easily understood terms he ex-
plalned the working of these phases
of government. No listener could fail
to understand exactly how these
principles will be applied and how
they would place the power where it
belongs, in the hands of the governed.
He showed how it would do away with
tedious processes of delay in the
making of laws; how the politicians
would have no opportunity to play
battedore and shuttlecock with q
measure until it lost its original form
and interest but that upon acceptance
OF the law as drafted by the people it
would become law Immediately and
that the referendum was merely the
initiative reversed to do away with
laws found unsatisfactory. Mr.. Ring
dal failed to state his stand on the
recall of judges until asked for it by
one of the audience when he unhesitat.
ingly and firmly announced that to
him Judges were no different from
other servants of the people and
should be subject to the same regula-
tions. The speakers quick and de-
cisive reply on this point pleased the
audience greatly and added immensely
to the effect of his speech. He made
it plain that if he is to be elected
Governor he wants his victory to 60
hand in hand with victory for the
principles of the initiative, referendum
and recall that will give the power
back to the people. Mr.. Ringdal's
speech thruout was marked by dignity
and an earnest, honest belief in the
principles he upholds. There was an
utter absence of party recrimination
! and abuse and all in all it made q
very good impression.
Winn Powers, candidate for Lieut..
Gov. was the next on the list. He
spoke quickly and entertainingly,
making bid for support for Wilson
as President and reminded the
audience that as Lieut.. Governor he
would have the right to appoint men,
bers of various committees and his
only promise to the voters was that
if elected he would appoint men fear
less in the right who would do away
with the abuses established by trust
legislation.
Hon. c. J. Buell., candidate for
representative-at-large spoke some
what at length very forcefully on the
tariff and reciprocity questions. He
characterized the protective tariff and
Canadian reciprocity ana the Aldrich
Currency scheme as absolutely ini-
quitous and showed the harm done by
them.
H.:F. lWessel, candidate for State
Treasurer spoke very briefly, asking
the support OF the voters for the other
candidates on the state ticket not
present aud promising businss ad-
ministration of the Treasurer's Office
| ii he is elected.
Hon. D. Lawler was then introduced.
His remarks carried more of sspersion
on the other party than those of any
other speaker. He was especially
bitter toward his opponent, Knute
Nelson. His talk was in q personal
vein and several times he received
applause which showed his hearers
were with him. he payed glowing
tribute to Capt. Pfaender as the leader
of Minnesota Democracy in the Legis-