Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1914-04-24
WIN. f. LEE DELIVERS
HIS KEYNOTE SPEECH
CONTINUED from reverse page.)

to recognize the necessity for united
action against the organized forces
who look upon the power of govern
ment as opportunity to despoil AS
citizenship improves, government will
improve in character and usefulness.
Government is simply a matter of car
rying on the peoples business, and it
requires the same kind of talent, abil-
ity and honesty of purpose that sue
cessful private business must have. No
man should be entrusted with the re-
BpOnsibility of public business unless
he has had the same experience and
training that would warrant him in
applying for a similar position in the
management of private business.
Value of System.
System is Of no value unless there
is a man at the head who will use
the system to get results. An anti
quated and bunglesome system, with
the right kind Of manager in charge,
will show better results than a mod
ern, scientific system manned by in
Competents. The need of our state
government today is an energetic and
competent business direction. 1t is a
business mans job. One of the first
requirements of good business direc-
ton is that the manager of the bust
ness shall be on the job, and that he
shall keep everyone else connected
with the business on the job. l am
that kind of a business man, and if
elected to the office of governor l
shall consider that the people have
employed me to see that their bust
ness is conducted promptly, efficiently
and economically.
One of the first duties that befalls
a newly elected governor is an exam
inatiOn into the qualifications of those
who are to work under his direction
] pledge myself to make appointments
solely on merit and ability to do the
specific work for which the appoint
ment is made. No man has or will
have any different pledge from me.
To Be Personally Accessible.
/ shall be accessible during reason
able working hours every working day
to any citizen who has business to
transact with the state or who is in
terested in any feature of the states
business.
The members of the state boards,
heads of departments and of state in
stttutions are the governors official
family. By law they are required to
make reports of the condition of their
departments. They are responsible
for the conduct and results of the
work done. They are in a position to
know the needs of the divisions over
which they preside. If elected gov
ernor, I shall make it my business to
cooperate with them and shall ask
their cooperation in remedying evils
and in promoting efficiency. I shall
endeavOr to familiarize myself with
these matters that I may be able in
telligentIy to make recommendations
to the legislature.
All matters of legislation are mat
ters of political policy, to be deter
mined by the majority of the people
as their sense OF the public welfare
dictates. But the organization anC
conduct of the departments of admin
1stration are problems of business anG
ought to be entirely divorced from
consideration Of political policy or ex
pediency.
When legislation is turned over tt
those who are to put it into action
the policy is settled for the time be
ing, and it becomes a business prob
lem that ought to be dealt with &C
cOrding to the three cardinal princi
pies of successful business admins
tration, certainty, efficiency and econ
Omy.
The enforcement Of the law is o
the first importance. The duty of tn
governor in this regard is clearly de
fined and he is given no discretion
the laws of the land must be executed
and upon him rests the responsible,
of seeing that they are enforced
The various heads of department
should be held to strict accountable
ity for the affairs under their charge
The rights of the state should at al
times be zealously guarded. In tn
great domain of taxation and reguls
SAOAA' IAS 0IdIS Ilu5l HOI Ne pGIulGI6
to sleep on its rights. In crimins
matters I am for simplicity of pre-
cedure and speedy hearings so as t
insure prompt justice.
The antitrust laws should be mos
strictly enforced, to the end that MOI
opolies may not Cypress the people
The liquor laws are being PERSISTENT
violated all over the state and m
earnest endeaVor shall be to comp
the observance of all such laws.
l believe we should have an effe
tive civil service law to apply to a
administrative offices other than heaG
of departments, in all instances whel
service and efficiency may be theret
promoted. Civil service is demande
both by public economy and publ
morality. A good civil service la
honestly and effectively administers
is essential to honest, efficient, &c
nomical government. To secure tt
maximum of service for it's public e
penditures, the state of Minneso