The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-03-13

q woman's suffrage, and civil
Q service. He denounced the .
= "invisible government" and
q made a declaration for old =
= fashioned economy and vlscr- =
> Gus law enforcement. also for =
= protection 70 farmers and .
= wage earners. He asked for .
= the application Of a square =
z deal in transportation laws. =
Among other questions discussed
was the regulation of the liquor
traffic Said Mr.. lyerson: Mime
sofa is today among the foremost
OF the states of the union.-in
natural wealth. in fundamental laws
and In citizenship. We have a
vigorous, intelligent and progressive
people: we have a public organiza-
ton. equipped with ample assets for
a strong commonwealth: our educa-
ticrdl. charitable and correctional
institutions are richly endowed.
through the wisdom OF cur pioneer
state builders. and these are ade-
uuately maintained by our taxpay-
ers. The direction and management
OF this large public corporation is
not an easy task. The governor
is the head OF the state. Besides
being the chief executive under the
constitution, he is presumed to lead
in all altruistic Efforts. 20 inspire
and support all those movements
tending to high ideals aud patrio-
tism.
The Liquor Traffic.
The greatest problem before the
people OF minnesota ct thit time Is
the regulation and control OF the
liquor traffic. II is the enc question
upon which the people have a right
10 ask every candidate for public
Office just were he stands. In an
swer TO that question. unreseryedly
declare myself in favor OF county
opticn,' and IL elected governor.
shall recommend the enactment OF
such a law. The county Is the unit
or subdivision by and through
which the state laws are generally
administered, costs paid. prosecutions.
instituted revenues collected, etc. and
there Is and can be no valid reason
Why the people OF q county should
Bot have the right TO vote the
licensed saloon out Of its jurisdic-
tior II q majority Of its people wish
H. When the TRAFFIC has been voted
out Of a county. city or village. the
people there should be protected
from those who would nullify their
act By shipping II in from the out
side. shall also recommend that
county boards be prohibited from
issuing saloon licenses 20 road
houses. etc" Mr.. Iyerson criticised
the ST. Paul city charter for per-
hitting saloons in the wards where
the laboring classes reside and elm.
ihating them from those wards
where the silk-stocking gentlemen
live.
"rhe Invisible government
This unseen power has raised
up in our midst a keen and re-
sourceful dictator with unlimited
dictator!al powers; he assumes
political leadership. dictates who
shall or shall not become candidates
for even high offices: assumes
dictatorship over public policies and
directs what legislation shall or
shall not be enacted by the repre-
sentatives of the people in legislature
assembled; selects candidates IN
the several legislative districts
throughout the state to represent
the special liquor interests In the
state legislature; who serves notice
on upright citizens Of Minnesota
that the power Of the machine"
and its wealth will be used to de-
feat them for legislative honors
unless they will promise to be
subservient and defend the liquor
traffic in the honorable halls of the
legislature: who insolently resists
every law for the control and reg.
ulation OF his clients business. This
dictator Is both a system and a
personality: is the enemy OF every
enrolling uplift movement: is con
cerned only in fattening The money
bags of the system even at the
cost OF the hope and ambition, the
happiness and lives of unfortunate
humanity. Common .decency and the
Unborn love Of liberty prompts every
free man to strike a boiw at this
biishting and whitening power Of
darkness" -
The Public Utilities Problem.
This is another important ques
ton. am unelterably opposed to
state commission to take over con
troll OF local public utilities.
.avor the principles as set forth
in the Nolan bin. giving local gov
eminent bodies the right TO regulate
and even fix prices for the service
furnished, and the Minnette bin "a
permit the physical connection OF
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