The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-06-19

hundred or more state gatherings
which happen in the Capital City dur
Ing the year for all the attention it
received from those who once how
cred in it's wake and were the first
to grasp the hands of it's guests. The
capitol was lighted up and attendants
were on hand to see that no vandal-
ism took place, but the Offices were
dark and the heads of departments
conspicuous by their absence. Even
the gold room where his excellency
holds forth was closed. Only one Of
fetal was On the job, Secretary of
State Schmahl. And to think of what
the boys in blue once were, what
pull was theirs!
1t will not reach the proportions of
scandal, as public sentiment has
practically decided where the new
historical and supreme court build
ing ordered by the last legislature will
be located, but this has not been
strong enough to prevent some rath-
er nasty talk regarding a combina-
ton for the purpose of forcing the
purchase of site by which it is
said the promoters hope to realize
tidy sum. The building will prob
ably be located on the block east OF
the capitol which was formerly the
site of the old Governor Merriam
home, which is beautifully located.
still real estate sharks are busy and
it was stated last week that they had
worked so industriously that the final
determination as to the location will
not be without a contest. The Mer-
riam site, which is block in ex-
tent, can be had for $4,000, while
quarter block some distance south is
offered for $47,S00. The hoped for
sale of this latter site it is said in
measure Influenced the passage of the
bill authorizing the new building and
this is responsible for some of the
shady gossip now being INDUCED in.
The Merriam block is favored by
members of the board of control and
the justices of the supreme court, but
| the historical society is divided on
the proposition.
!. 4 !.
Governor Eberhart has been quoted
as saying that the recent rate deci-
sion handed down at Washington is
a victory for statewide control of pub
lie utilities, which he is advocating.
AS the decision savors more of home
rule than centralized control I hardly
think his excellency was correctly
quoted, yet there are those about the
capitol who argue that the decision
is favorable to the new movement.
Governor Eberhart received the news
of the decision with considerable
pleasure and said it was victory to
be proud of, though it is of memory
that he was little chary about COM
menting on the outcome when the
case was pending. He refused to
join movement started by number
of governors to force the issue, de-
claring that it was a matter wholly
for the courts. Between you and I,
fellows, his excellency had some cold
feet while that battle was on, but
that does not prevent him in joining
in the general jollifcation now
!. :. \
Until the special session of the leg
islature which Governor Eberhart has
promised is called the house commit
tee, headed by w. I. Nolan of Mime
apolis, appointed to look into the
question Of statewide control, will
! in, fr1 hot y>11I,1 ia
men, taxpayers and the municipali'
ties think of the new idea. Letters
with a list Of questions will be di.
rected to each. The committee, you
probably learned, put in several days
at Madison Wis.,, studying the utili'
ties law of that state. Nolan says
Wisconsin has an admirable law for
Wisconsin, but he doubts whether il
would work in this state. AS he ex
plains it Wisconsin, which is uni
versity controlled to a large degree
has been centralizing control on al
lines of government at Madison
while Minnesota has long preached
the doctrine of home rule and its
towns are jealous of any encroach
ment. This, he says, is where the
shoe may pinch and make the pas
sage of the law as demanded by thu
governor difficult
\ !. +
1t might be we'll for the kingmak
ers to keep their eye on Judge John
son of Goodhue county, who caused
quite a few to sit up and take nc
tice in a demand on the grand jur!
of his county that it investigate vic
lations Of the 2-cent fare passenge
law in the district and bring indict
ments. The jury failed to take hees
and he gave the members a scoring
Then followed the findings of the su
preme court at Washington. That on
official in the state did have tn
nerve to start something brought hin
considerable attention and Judg
Johnson was flooded with letters O
: congratulation. What high offic
2 Judge Johnson has his eye on is no
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