The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1914-05-21
GOV. EBERHART
Opens CAMPAIGN
{ Continued from page %

throughout the state, 1 concluded to
iRaugurate a statewide movement for
the purpose of Kidding the state OF
this plague, and appointed the week of
April 18th to 25th as special week
during which the numerous farmers
organizations held local meetings and
discussed this question, creating a
statewide interest therein. With the
aid Of the state experts, the agricul-
tural press, as well as the daily and
country press, l am satisfied we can
protect the farmers against future
losses. Our serum plant at the ex-
perimental station should be increased,
the serum sold to the farmers at &C.
tual cost and the treatment should be
administered by experts employed by
the state.
Strict Law Enforcement.
It is entirely proper at this time to
express my sincere appreciation Of the
cooperation have received from the
various local officers throughout the
state in the enforcement of our laws.
While violations of law have been
committed in the past, and always will
be committed in the future, it is fact,
as the records of this Office will show,
that whenever such violation has been
called to my attention, have imme-
diately taken the matter up with the
local law enforcing officer and have al
ways been accorded an earnest as well
as effective cooperation in the en-.
forcement Of the law. The attorney
general has always been ready to give
his assistance and Minnesota is one Of
the few states concerning which it
can be said that crime has been re-
duced and stricter observance Of
the law established. Since the abol-
5 fshment of capital punishment, there
/ as been no increase in crime. but the
81, cords show that in cases of murder
80 percentage of convictions has in
ased approximately fifty per cent.
,n( am in favor of strict law enforce
%nt. If law does not work out we'll
it should be repealed, but while it is
on the statute books it should be en-
forced against all, without fear or
favor.
County Option.
When the state county option con.
ventiGE was held in st. Paul four
years ago l was invited to go before it
and explain my views on that ques-
ton. My posi- ion at that time was,
and still is, that when the people Of
this state, in the selection of legis-
lature or otherwise, have acted upon
any question, such action should and
would be binding upon me, because
believe in the authority of the people
and that any instructions coming d.
rectly from them should be supreme.
If in the selection of legislature
county option prevailed and the law
passed, should not only approve it,
but would see, too, that it was strictly
and impartially enforced. That is all
any governor could do. A demagogue
might promise more in order to secure
votes and then conveniently forget his
promise. All that he possibly can do
is to approve and execute the law.
Civil Service.
The highest and best test of an
executive officer is determined by the
character of his appointments. No
governor before me in the history Of
this state has had occasion to fill SO
many important offices of trust and
responsibility. l cannot take time to
enumerate very many, but it is impor.
tant to determine the efficiency of an
administration from this standpoint.
The appointments to the offices of at.
torney general, supreme and district
courts, board of regents and heads Of
the various departments are sufficient
for this purpose. Not even my bitter.
est enemy has found any fault with
them, and it has been the greatest
pleasure "f M ~Hcial life to receive