Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-09-23
Favofs Public improvement.

vast areas OF unproducttvo lands with
In our borders. Present and potential
wealth lies dormant. Millions Of acres
lie fallow. Willing tillers of the soil
are denied 4 home among us. Con-
sumers are deprived Of q rich source
Of supply, and the state Is deprived Of
revenue. Conditions make develop.
ment by private enterprise impossible,
and the state should therefore take
tho initiative in developing these
lands. The last legislature submitted
IN amendment to the constitution.
known as amendment No. 3, which pro.
vides . revolving fund out Of the pro-
ceeds OF the sale Of state lands for tho
purpose Of constructing roads. bitches,
and fire brakes through and around un-
sold state school and swamp lands.
This amendment should be adopted.
Conservation and Good Roads.
l believe In the conservation and do.
velopment Of all our natural resources:
by continued public ownership and
protection Of all remaining timber and
mineral lands and waterpower; by re-
forestration and reclamation; and by
control and development Of the water
ways Of the state.
Good roads are necessary to the de-
velopment Of any country. I favor a
road policy that takes into considera-
ton, first and foremost, the needs of
the farmers and which will make more
accessible the numerous local centers
Of the different communities of the
state. Roads are primarily local util-
1ty and believe should therefore be
under direct local control and supervi-
sion as far as compatible with broad
policy Of state improvement.
Would Encourage Schools.
Minnesota holds a foremost place
educationally in the sisterhood Of
states. Our normal schools are yield
ing a splendid product. We have a
high school system which eliminates
In our great and growing University,
second to none in the country. Our
agricultural college is doing a great
work. and should have the most gen.
erous treatment. We need more young
mon who can teach agriculture, and
farm scientifically.
Our first concern, however, should
be for the masses who will not in the
ordinary course of things be instructed
beyond the rudiments of the common
school.
Money invested in the common
schools brings the greatest dividends,
but special state aid should be extend
ed to stimulate local interest. I shall
give my best self to further the educar
ton that is convertible into farms, fac
tories, stores, and offices, into homes,
and into the power of virtue, patriot
ism, and philanthropy.
Small Town Opportunities.
Closely allied to the subjects of farm
ing, schools, and road improvements,
is that of the development of the
smaller towns and villages in the state.
The continued prosperity and happi-
ness of our large rural population can
best be secured by making it possible
for them to be in fairly close touch
with a growing town or village. A
town with good roads connecting the
surrounding country, and good schools,
adds to tho value Of every farm lying
tributary to it.
The people of the state are inter.
ested In free and open markets. All
fair-minded persons will agree that no
unnecessary burden or expense should
attach to the product of the farm, the
factory. or the shop, on it's way from
the producer to the consumer
Would Better Labor Conditions.
am in full accord with the world
movement to better protect the lives,
health and welfare of the people by
prohibiting excessive hours of labor
and improving conditions under which
labor is performed, with rigid restric.
tions Of hours and conditions of EN-.
ployment Of women and children. The
minimum wage and workmen's com.
pensation laws are movements in the
right direction and should be 80 devel.
oped that exact Justice will be done. !
know from experience what it is to
earn by the sweat Of my brow, and
I can be depended upon to use my
influence to better the condition Of
labor.
The enforcement Of the law is of
tho first Importance. The duty of the
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 responsibility
Of seeing that they are enforced, and
I pledge to you that they will be en-.
forced If l am governor of Minnesota
Favors Home Rule.
The state should administer all laws
that affect statewide questions and
should have the necessary authority
to regulate all statewide utilities, but
the state cannot regulate nor interfere
with, beyond furnishing needed infor
nation, any purely local governmental
question. Our local public utilities
and all other matters incident to the
daily life, association and business re
lation of the people must be regarded
and administered by them,
No more important question can be
submitted to the people than that OF
changing the constitution of our state
and urge upon every voter the i'm
portance OF acQua1nt1ng himself with
the proposed amendments and Of vot
ing for or against everyone of them
On election day. Amendment Number
One, is in my judgment Of the first
importance. az it provides for the mi
tiative and the referendum.
Tho Secretary Of State has issued 4
circular giving q very full and olea1