The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-02-20
made good official, bit politics is
politics and there are lots of hungry
mouths.

politics and there are lots of hungry
mouths.
The Coates-Gilman election contest
is out of the way and the house is
breathing easier. AS expected Coates
won, though the vote 20 for him to 43
for G. A. Gilman, the contestant, was
a surprise. The general feeling was
that it would be close. Coates won
principally because he had the GER
tificate and the fact that he was
among the first to join the house or
ganization forces Sympathies aside,
Gilman undoubtedly had the best of
the disputed votes, which would have
given him two majority, but Coates
and his friends played the best game.
\ i. =
Last week the Hennepin grand jury
refused to reindict J. D. Bren, a for
mer cashier of the state university,
who a year ago suddenly confronted
the university officials with the start
ling statement that he had been
robbed of $4,000 in university funds
while crossing the campus. He was
cleared at the trial of embezzlement
and his bondsmen made good. With
full clearance papers for Bren there
now passes into history a mystery
which will likely never be fathomed
or explained. The whole thing is
something the university officials do
not like to talk about. Insinuations
are discouraged, yet the fact remains
that, like Banchos ghost, it may yet
stalk forth and frighten some one.
:. :. j.
If any member of the legislature
has in mind any legislation calculat-
ed to affect the university or in any
way to curtail some of it's activities he
wants to forget it. 1t can never get
by. The strongest political organiza-
ton in the state today is the univer-
sity and all persons politically ambi-
tious bow to it's demands. One sena-
tor, speaking of his experience the
other day in the matter of an attempt
ed investigation of the institution,
said: Never again for me. l got
enough of it. Two years ago had
'em all on my shoulders and they
never let up until l agreed to quit.
And l could not get any one to help
me. They were all afraid of the cars
!. \ \
That there will be a general clean
up of the hundreds of employees who
come directly under the board is hard
ly likely. Though the administration
will be in full charge in another month
Governor Eberhart is too good a poll
tlcian to allow any wholesale changes
in the working force of the board.
When Governor Eberhart first took
up the reins of government the salary
list in the several state departments
was largely Democratic in sympa-
thies. He did not begin an indis-
criminate slaughter. The heads fell
one by one and the axe was welded in
a way to attract no attention. In
some instances year or more was
used in cleaning out department.
Those who did remain climbed aboard
the Eberhart bandwagon and they
have been there ever since.
i. !. !.
George Author, political writer on
the Minneapolis Tribune, is spoken of
as a probable successor to Secretary
Wheelock and there are some who
claim to be on the inside who say
that his appointment has in a way
been agreed upon. E. E. Smith, the
present Republican state chairman,
has been mentioned in connection with
the place, but he is hardly likely to
take it. AS one of his henchmen re-
marked the other day he would not
take it if it was worth double what
it pays now. Wheelock's job is said
to be worth $4,000 a year, though Mr..
Wheelock denies it. 1t is known,
though, that his fees, together with
his salary, last month netted him an
even $1,000. This, however, does not
happen every month. Another men,
toned possibility for the job is Guy
Eaton of Duluth.
\ !. !.
r. G. Dunn, house member from
Princeton, was presented with a
handsome silver coffee set by his COL
leagues Friday, the occasion being his
tifty-eighth birthday and the twenty
sixth anniversary of his marriage
The preliminaries were characteristic
of the "Old Roman" Fully prepared
to make the presentation the house
waited for Bob's arrival and hearing
that he was out in one of the corri-
doris sent for him. Bob, when located,
was arguing heatedly with a member
who did not stand for the Princeton
mans good road bill. Bob, you're
wanted" said the messenger. Get
OUT was Bob's answer. i've got to
convert this fellow and the house will
have to wait When the old warrior
did reach his seat it was the surprise
of his life that awaited him.
!. !. :.
Mr.. Dunn has introduced his good
roads bill and it's draft represents
oHn11f tho hio0ocf TO- 1y1o<7 h., o-,,