Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1914-10-02

they have presented most terrible
indictment against the party organi-
zation to which they belong? If these
statements are true how could Mr.. Lee
in his same speech speak Of The af-
lection and high regard which one and
all bear in common with a great ma
jority of the people of the entire state
for the one organization which through
more than half century OF its history
as a state, with but two brief inter.
ruptions, has guided its affairs and
shaped its policies to the present nat
ural development of the state and the
consequent welfare of its citizens.
He charges that while Republicans
have held all the executive Offices of
the state and had majority in the
mitted to control the affairs of state,
to select its officers, and to determine
its laws, and then rejoices upon the
natural development of the state and
the consequent welfare of its citizens
Now are these charges made sim
ply to present a dark and terrible
background that the whiteness and
purity of the present candidate may
be all the more respondent because
of the contrast; are they extravagant
fancies based upon little fact; or are
they true, to the disgrace of some of
the persons l have named and the
party which has tolerated them. and
to the humiliation of the state?
Special Interests Active.
"No doubt there are special inter
ests in this state which have in the
past and will in the future, seek to
obtain advantages through favorable
legislation and lax execution of the
laws. These advantages are often
called special privileges.
Besides his high character, broad
intelligence, and intense patriotism,
it is his constant and successful war
fare against special privilege in any
and every form that has made the
people of the United States, irrespec-
tive of party, stand for and with the
president of the United States-Wood-
|, row Wilson. -
Especial interests we have, and we
will continue to have them, but when
special Interests attempt to secure
special privileges unfair or to the in
Jury of the people. of the state, it is
the duty of every public officer to
stand like rock in opposition I'M
yielding and firm. It is not always
the, easiest thing to do; a powerful
adversary may, be overcome but not
without leaving scars upon the victor;
but they are scars Of honor, Sneers
and SANDER are not agreeable things
to confront, but the conscientious pub
lie servant will do his duty regardless
of them; he will not himself be DOM
mated by. brewery interests or special
interests, and when convinced that
high state officers and whole legisla-
lures are so dominated he will not
hesitate to denounce them and point
out to the people of the state those
who have betrayed their trusts"
Urges Nonpartlsan Primary.
) In. bis address Mr.. Hammond first
discussed the nonpartisan primary,
now applied to judges county officers
and Legislators. and said there is no
reason why the governor OF the
state and the other elective state
ofncers should not be selected In the
same manner" Under the present
law, he said. legislators can, no longer
answer criticism by pleading party
loyalty. In. the past, he said, the gov
ernor has been not only the chief ex-
eeutive but the party leader. The
next governor will not be the party
leader for there will be no party to
lead He should not therefore discuss
party policies In his messages to the
legislature, he declared. but should
| give special attention to. those Ques-
tions that have to do with the man
agement of state affairs, It's institu-
! tons and its public domain. It's en-
ployes, revenues and expenditures; its
relations to other states and to the
federal government, and the enforce
ment of its laws.
On County Option.
Mr.. Hammond discussed the ques-
ton of county option at length, max
ing it plain that he would sign such
measure if one is passed by the leg
islature. He closed by reading the
county option paragraph of his letter
to State Chairman A. L. Sortor, reaA
at the meeting of the Democratic state
committee in st. Paul Sept. 8, In
which he said:
"'At present there is local OPP
ton, and much sentiment in favor
Of substituting county option In
lite place. The legislative cam
paign this year 10 being made
largely upon this Issue. No mem
Der Of the next legislature elected
by county option constituency
and standing az a county option
candidate will vote against IL, nor
will one representing a commu-
nifty opposed to county option and