Willmar tribune., 1913-01-29

Whether the investigation will or not,
as Mr.. Spooner emphatically predict
ed, result in revelations that will "as-
tound' the grain growers and cattle
raisers Of the state, it is to be hoped
that it will be made honestly and ef-
fciently. I am inclined to conclude
from what l know of the men ap-
pointed on the investigating commit
tee that the farmers and country
elevator men will be represented by
men Jealous in their behalf. What
ever the truth in regard to the mat
ter may be it should be brought out
without fear or favor.
AN IMPORTANT REFORM.
One bill at least of real Importance
has passed the house. It provides
that in civil cases ten members Of a
jury may render verdict. Permit
ting one or two men who may be
either stubborn, unreasonable, pre-
|judiced or interested, to ''hang' a
jury Of twelve has on more than one
occasion resulted in depriving a iti-
giant Of his just rights. There is Of
course always the possibility that the
minority may be right and the ma
jority wrong, but ordinarily the
greater number can be relied on to
render a substantially just verdict.
In case they do not a wronged man
can generally get a new trial and
there is always a higher court to ap-
peal to. The reform is not an inno-
vation. In other states it has cur
tailed the laws delays without work.
ing injustice and there is no reason
why it should not have the same de-
sirable result here.
NEW DEPARTMENT PROPOSED.
In order to carry out recommen-
dation made by the governor in his
message Representative Kneeland
has introduced a bill creating a de-
partment of public domain. 1t takes
away from the state auditor all au-
thority over public lands, forests,
mines, drainage, ETC., and makes him
an accounting officer pure and SIM
Iple. The new department absorbs a
number Of state boards which have
hitherto exercised supervision over
some part or other Of the matters
which are to be entrusted to it's care.
The bill provides for the appointment
by the governor Of the head Of the
department who is to receive a sal
ary Of $4,000 a year. It creates five
subordinate departments OF bureaus,
one to have charge of agricultural
lands, one mineral lands, one water
ways, and so on. The heads Of these
departments are to receive a salary
of not more than $4,000 a year, and
there will be in addition a number of
clerical positions together with a
small army Of appointees to do the
outside work the proper supervision
and care Of the public domain makes
necessary. Of course number of
positions in connection with the var
ious boards will be abolished and
possibly the increased expense fol-
the care of the public domain. may
not be as great as one might con-
clude from the terms Of the bill.
CRITICISM INDULGED IN.
Nevertheless it has already beer
subjected to a good deal Of adverse
criticism and is the theme Of con-
siderable discussion among the mem.
bers and officials in the capitol fam
,, iliar with the way the public lands
have been administered under tht
. present law. It is understood thai
Representative Dunn who was aud
itor for many years has concluded
that it will add unnecessarily to tn
expenses Of administration. Refer
ring to it progressive house leader
one Of the original Rines men, sait
the other day, 'The principle Of tn
measure is progressive all right, bu
the bill in it's present form is ikel,
under existing circumstances t.
prove more Of blow to the progres
sive cause than benefit to it. Shoul'
I it pass as it stands it will place il
the hands Of a reactionary admins
tration a powerful engine which ca
be made Of material use in perfect
ing the standpat machine" Anothe
member in discussing the bill sug
| gested that this could be avoided b
making the commissioner Of publ
domain elective, thus eliminating tn
feature Of appointments by the gov
ernor
II CIVIL SERVICE itEFORM.
| Perhaps, however, in framing th
bill Mr.. Kneeland contemplated tn
passage Of another measure of whic
he is the author which would take tt
ground from under the feet Of b
progressive critics. This latter bl
seeks the establishment Of a civ
service based. on merit. The appoin
ments would still be made by the e.
ecutive it is true, but officials Of e.
cry kind and degree would have to
selected from list Of those who hs
successfully passed an examinati<
as to their fitness. and nOlitica1 col