The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-09-19
HA|NM0|VD..G|v|E:s MS . !.
OPINIONS On. ISSUES /
80 tU0VbUtIIlH EW vNAvykN
Believes People Sovereign on All
Matters Relating to *Pu-
-. bic Welfare. :-..
BY CAPITOL, SECRETARY.

Where Congressman w. S. Ham
mond, the Democratic gubernatorial
candidate. stands on the question of
county option, initiative and referen-
dunn, the efficiency and economy plan,
good roads and other leading issues
featuring the present campaign was
made plain last week when a letter.
outlining his views on state matters
was read at the Democratic gathering
held IN The Saint Paul hotel. When
the meeting was planned it. was ex-
pected that Mr. Hammond would be
present. but he is still busyin WASH
ington. 1t Is expected that he will go
more into detail on the issues of the
day in his keynote speech in Red
Wing which is now set for Septenl.
Der 20. >.
Mr.. Hammond's, views weree given
emphatic endorsement by those pres
ent and the committee members ex-
pressed positive determination to
see Mr.. Hammond and the entire
ticket through to the finish. Mr..
Hammond's course, in staying, at his
post OF duty was highly commended
and the committeeman brought. the
news that Mr.. Hammond's absence
from the state is not hurting his
candidacy, but his devotion to official
duties is making him lots Of friends
IF the other counties will give Ham
mond as good majority as my county
will, victory is CERTAIN was the re-
port of almost every committeeman.
People Sovereign.
The county option portion of Mr..
Hammond's letter was listened to
with great interests. He said: Eat
present there is local option, and
much sentiment in favor of substitute
ing county option in it's place The
legislative campaign this year is being
made largely upon this issue. No
member of the next legislature elected
by county option constituency and
standing as a county option candidate
Will vote against it, nor will one rep
resent1ng community opposed IT,, to
county option and standing as a local
option candidate vote for it. Whether
there will be change In the unit
or a continuance of the present sys-
; tenn will be, determined. by the char
acter of the next legislature, and It
will be, In effect, decided as soon as
the election returns are known. No
recommendation Of a governor will
make a man pledged to support
county option vote against it, nor one
pledged to oppose vote for it. The
voice OF the people is mightier than
the. voice of a. governor-when they
speak legislators must listen, and the
governor as we'll, and both bow to
sovereign authority. In November,
. then, the electors themselves will d.
lrect the course to be taken, and that
7 course should be followed by the
| members Of the state legislature and
by the chief executive" This stand
is similar to that taken by Governor
Johnson and Governor Eberhart and
both. were endorsed by the voters Of
the state.
TO Reduce Tax. Rate.
Mr.: Hammond strongly urged re-
duction of state taxes, declaring that
The legislative appropriations Of
1913 exceed those of 1911 in the
amoutn Of $1,275,13s.so. We must
see that the appropriations for 1915
De no greater than they were in
1911 AS means toward securing
this economy. Mr.. Hammond ap-
proved the plan Of the efficiency and
economy commission fors the reorgan-
lzatlon of state departments, the BUD
get system for keeping expenditures
within the states income, and the
merit system of appointing state en-
ployes.