The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-03-13
gas. electric. heat and also locs
street car system"
intelligent Economy Needed.

inteiii9ent economy Neeoco.
'As a state, we have become very
extravagant Up 10 1912 We had
spent s22.454.ooo.oo for new state
buildings, and s12.5oO.ooo.oo or fifty.
Ave per cent OF that sum within the
last ten years. From 1900 20 1910
the population increased eighteen
and half per cent. while our ex
penditures more than doubled. 20
1874 per cent. Every legitimate de.
mand' to care for the wards OF the
state should. be promptly met. but
beyond that Il is time TO stop the
erection OF new buildings. Needless
departments should be cut out. and
cc-ordinated with others perform
ing a similar service. There are
over sixty such departments nearly
all with star OF inspectors and
Inspectors OF inspectors. Thirty
citizens are at present engaged In
the laudahle work OF simplifying this
absurd condition Of our affairs, and
we hope may evolve a sensible
yorking system. Let us spend less
money and sympathy on the wrong
doors and criminals and carefully
consider the welfare OF those who
live upright decent lives and those
who pay the taxes.
Extravagance comon Thing.
Extravagance IS today common
thing from the national to village
cost. The average rate OF taxation
IN one of our counties is 1910 per
cent. Uncertain villages the rate is ten
per cent. and while the assessments
ere not over fifty per cent of real
value. Il is always true that the
percentage rises with the tax rate.
In addition TO this, while our state
debt Is very small. the debts of
minor municipalities are very large.
The latest figures from the United
States census at hand for -comparl-
son show that In Wisconsin the
municipal debt per capita was
sio.4s. in Iowa s7.4s. in Minnesota
s2e.07. We are thus pledging the
credit and the earnings of our chill
dren to pay present day extrava-
gnnees. II Is safe to presume that
those who come after us will have
cares enough OF their own making.
II rs imperative that public corpor-
atoms must curtail their reckless
expenditures and in this movement
the state should be model. We
need> revival &C old fashioned
economy"
enforcement Of Law.
Mr.. Iverson discussed law enforce.
rnent. declaring that the governor
shall. in the language OF the state
constitution, "he shall take care
that the laws be faithfully enforced"
The transportation question was not
overlooked and trust and monopoiles
were given q punch.
Il heartily favor and shall urge a
civil service Law, with tenure of
Office based upon merit. This Is an
eccncmic as well as just measure.
There are very many excellent men
and women employed In various
state departments. not now pro-
tected by civil service. Many OF
them are faithful. competent and
loyal to the state. and have spent
the best years Of their lives in the
public service. Their tenure OF serv.
ice should be based upon their work
and skill for which they are paid,
and not upon their political activity
TO lineup" with the winning fac
ton. Election years are times of
serious anxiety TO many very worthy
people. who should be free from the
dread of losing their places through
the turn Of political elections.
Votes for Women.
II favor and shall, II elected
governor, cheerfully recommend the
elective franchise for. women. Sew
eral foreign counties and many Of
the states have adopted such a law.
II VIII be general in this country
In a few years. The ballot can
safely be entrusted to American
women. II win prove a strong reserve
power for the public good, They
can be relied upon to vote for those
issues which mean cleaner morals
and higher social service and all
which stands for the advancement
and protection of the masses.
Charges have been made that
the grain raisers of this and north
western states have not been receiv-
ing square treatment at the terminal
stations in Minnesota. Every right
minded person knows that II such
charges go unchallenged Il will
seriously injure the very high
standing which our terminal stations
have enjoyed for many years. II
there Is anything wrong, all want
to know Il and the remedy win be
speedily applied. II there Is nothing
wrong that should be known 20
satisfy the minds OF great
agricultural interests and thus pro.
tect the reputation of this important
branch of business. To effectively
settle this question, / shall. IF so
empowered, recommend a fun and
impartial legislative inquiry.
Protect The wage Garner.
Some progress has been made
toward safeguarding the interest OF
employees for accidental injuries
received while amulnvad IN. n :.