The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-02-06

w M. T.. LIE.
w. E. Lee of Long Prairie, Mimi,
making scathing arraignment of con-
ditions in the state Of Minnesota in
circular letter announcing his can
didacy for the gubernatorial nomina-
ton sent out to the country newspap-
ers of the state this week as follows:
To the people of Minnesota
1.-TWO years ago I was a candidate
for the Republican nomination for
governor. The logic Of the situation
leads to my present candidacy. The
issued when raised by me and upon
which made my campaign, are the
issues today.
"An Anticipated and complex govern
mental SYSTEM; subservient COVER
nor with his enormous patronage and
system of forced assessments; an un-
holy alliance Of brewery interests,
public service corporations and other
special privilege seekers; and an
astute professional "boss" directing
the machine, have made the '"Tam-
manyizing" of Minnesota an accomp-
plished fact.
1.-THE issue then is the dissolution
of this vicious combination-the cleo
ton of a governor subservient to no
one and ambitious only to serve the
state. Condensed in a phrase it is;
"The people against the machine"
"The governor appoints practically
all of the administrators of the laws.
A subservient governor, through his
appointments, demoralizes admins
tration Good road laws under ma
chine administration produce bad
roads. Lax administration of the
most benefcient laws, stiles the hope
Of the people.
'"The most demoralizing of all in
fuences is the liquor traffic. It
forces an unnatural alliance between
legitimate and illigitimate business
for the defeat of constructive legisla-
ton. and furnishes the motive power
of the political machine. The ques-
ton of whether the brewery interests
shall dominate the business, social
and political life, Of the people OF
Minnesota, has been, is now, and will
continue to be the vital issue until
the executive and legislative depart
ments of the state are purged Of theil
menacing influence.
'The protection and conservation
of the public domains and Of the pub
lie health, state development, the in
terests of labor, of agriculture, and Of
business, the efficiency Of our educa.
tional system, and the improvement
of the public highways, are matters
of the greatest Importance and de.
mand such wise and efficient co.
operation of the legislative and exc
cutive departments as cannot be hac
while machine methods prevail.
"The present governor now admits
extravaganza but lays responsibility
upon the legislature. The Legislature
is not alone responsible for approp
riations. Its members must neces
sarily consult with those in charge
of state departments and institutions
Moreover, undue influence has beer
used by the governor, his appointees
and interested parties, resulting il
lavish generosity toward certain
state interests, while others, notabl!
the institutions for the insane AM
other unfortunate wards of the state
have been treated with niggardl.
Reorganization Of the administra
tive departments Of the state govern
ment in the interests of economy an
efficiency, together with adequat
civil service tests in all department
was an issue which I raised and EN-
phasized in the last campaign, and
was the chief issue Of interest to tn
people at that time. By common con
sent it is the issue today, for ma
chine polite can never be who'll
eliminated until this question
rightly settled.
"In this connection an issue new i
aspect but old in form, has recentl
been raised by the governor. He pre-
poses to further complicate an
hamper efficient and economical &C
ministration by adding another pow
erful and fruitful source Of patron
age in the form of a state publ
utility commission, the certain r.
suit of which will be to place all put
/ lie utilities in the control of tn
machine. - s Z :. <5s .5f Il
II am unalterably opposed to TIL
y ags q, . ~