Morris tribune., 1914-10-23
Zelch Entitled to Credit

In the Hancock Record of Oct. 2,
the editor aaid Garrison never ap-
parentIy got below the surface Of
things while he was in the legislature
for even Zelch himself does not claim
the credit through the bill was intro
duced in his name. f"
A copy of this statement was sent
to Mr.. Zelch with the suggestion that
he might be willing to correct the
statement. His reply was as follows.
and is here printed in full =
Saint Paul, Minnesota.
October 10Th, 1914.
Mr.. j. G. Morrison,
J Care Morris Tribune,
Morris, Minnesota.
Dear Sir:
Yours in regard to prison legisla-
ture at hand
The writer is out of politics and
does not particularly care to enter
into this fight. The journals of the
1905, 1907 and 1909 sessions will
show what actually happened in the
1 legislature.
Speaking in legislative way, in
the 1905 session got SIS, 600 with
which to purchase thsnew prison site
and grade the same, and l introduced
the original bill for the manufacture
of rakes, mowers and Binders at the
Penitentiary, which bill passed the
House. This. was two years before
Mr.. Spooner was a member of the
Legislature. In fact, the question of
a new prison originated in the 1905
session. and was we'll under way when
he became member Of the legisla-
ture. 3
= My harvester bill failed to as
the Senate in 1905, but the .appropri
alton Cor the new site and for the
grading of same was passed, and the
site was purchased and graded in
1906. l also got 1925, OOOO to start
building the Irvine plant at the new
prison.
In 1907 re-introducted the har.
vester bill, and Senator Sullivan in.
troduced practically duplicate. My
bill passed both houses, with Sigh
amendments, and this is the bill un
der which machinery is now being
, manufactured.
also introduced the bill abolishinI
the manufacture Of shoes under tn,
contract system in the prison. All o
this was popular legislation and passe'
. the House and Senate with but yer,
: little opposition. certainly CLAIM
the credit for passing the harveste
bill and putting that law on the statut
books and for getting the new priso
= under way. / was member fror
= Washington county and chairman 0
= the Prison Committee.
In the year in which Mr.. Spoone
:. ran for governor, the Dispatch printe
L what the records show in regard t
prison legislation. If you can get
% copy of that issue, it will clearly sc
m out the facts.
If Mr.. Spooner did introduce bill fc
in the final appropriations, but whe
is that bill was introduced the work Q
the new prison was well under wa
10 and the plans for the complete prise
r. had been adopted. Mr.. SUooner all
as introduced the bill legalizing the R,
i. voving Fund. which already existe'
Ye.v truly yours.
he JOHN ZELCI
~ The appropriation of SIS. 900
40 which Mr.. Zelch refers can be foul
on page SAT. General Laws of MINI
r. sofa for 1905, which was two yea
ne before Mr.. Spooner was a member
at the legislature.
ed No Conspiracy to Cripple Il
err Plant.
= Mr.. Spooner says he should be |
" elected to the legislature SO he c
defeat the conspiracy which
'ra saws exists to cripple the farm mac
ne inery plant by employing part Of t
ng convicts in building roads or preps
ny ing road material. In answering Il
I'll argument of bis. have referred
ice Warden WoIfer's last report, viii
lrt any voter can get. Warden Wolf
Jsays -