Morris tribune., 1912-06-07

can party. and to the further fact that
the people petitioned and labored in
season and out for some means of ex-
pressing their choice, each man for
himself-first on president and next
on go ernor. One political organiza-
ticn after another turned down these
people. Everybody remembers that
at last the people in many instances
printed their own ballots and finally
the Republican convention at Mime
apolis rebuked the bossism and poIiti-
cal organizations of the present ad-
ministration, and directed that the
people be allowed to express their
preference upon at least the candidates
for governor.
NO OCCASION TO FIND FAULT.
Had his own administration as lieu
tenant governor and as chief magistrate
during his first term. been commend
able and in keeping with the wishes
and best interests of the people, then
be would have no occasion whatever
to find fault with others.
In attacking me, he has thrown his
own record into the ring for criticism.
In 1907 and 1909, he held the Office
I now hold. His committee appoint
ments have been the subject of bitter
criticism. Many must recall the
storm of opposition that was raised
when he appointed to the elections
committee w. W. Dunn, an officer
of the Hamm Brewing company oc-
c1pying the private Office of the Brew.
ling company at St. Paul.
Why did he, as lieutenant governor,
appoint Edward E. Smith as chairman
of the important senate committee of
taxes and tax laws?
Why did he displace Senator Peter.
son with Andy Stephens of Crookston
as chairman of the senate finance com.
mittee, which committee. by reason OF
its towering Importance, could at that
time almost at will turn the old time
senate into body of crippled legis.
lators?
SIDESTEPPING FROM REFORM.
Does he not know that in these ap-
pointments, and in submitting the
destines of the people of this state tc
such persons. he was deliberately
sidestepping from the path of true
progress and reform?
He not only continued his senate
combine by his selection of Edward
e. Smith to position of power al
chairman of the state Republican com.
mittee. but still has the effrontery ir
his attack upon me to say sin the
matter of making appointments tt
Office. I laid down the rule of fitness
as the prime requisite,'' and again in
the same statement he says: "This
test can be applied to the personal
character and official achievement OF
every executive officer whom I have
appointed, and I will stand or fall
by it, What was about the first
thing he did do? I charge that the
appointment by him of c. A. Smith
of Minneapolis, as regent of the
University of Minnesota, was a be.
trayal of trust, but it was nightly
near to a violation Of his oath OF
office.
MR.. SMITHS RECORD KNOWN.
The record of Mr.. Smith in con.
nection with the Oregon land frauds
and the timber trespasses of Mime.
sofa is known from coast to coast. II
Governor Eberhart has consulted the
records of the state auditors office,
he would have found that Mr.. Smith,
the man whom he appointed to con-
serve and promote the best interests
of the university, was guilty of re.
peated trespassing upon the school
timber lands. The records also show
that the C. A. Smith Lumber com.
Ipany in some instances without lega
dGIlOu IuS 1SSulG VI
legal action paid back into the per.
manent school fund more than SIS,
0O9 penalties for trespassing on state
lands and removing timber unlawful
ly.
But this is not the worst of Mr..
Smiths record. His company ha:
been indicted. These indictments
nolled, suppressed and juggled are Of
common knowledge. Mr.. Smith has
been involved in land frauds in the
Far West, and was caught in the
Heney net. The statute of limita.
tions operated to his benefit, but civi
suits followed.
If the governor had been anxiou:
to probe into the personal character
of Mr.. Smith" in 1910, when he ap
,oo;ptoJ bi,,, oil fboA mould hove Iaoy