The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-10-06

agement of state affairs, is institu-
tons and its public domain, its en-
ployes, revenues and expenditures; its
relations to other states and to the
federal government, and the enforce
ment Of its laws.
On County Option
Mr.. Hammond discussed the ques-
ton of county option at length, max
ing it plain that he would sign such
a measure if one is passed by the leg
islature. He closed by reading the
county option paragraph of his letter
to State Chairman A. L. Sortor, read
at the meeting Of the Democratic state
committee in St. Paul, Sept. 9, in
which he said:
CAT present there is local option,
and much sentiment in favor of SUBJ
shutting county option in its place.
The legislative campaign this year is
being made largely upon this issue.
No member Of the next legislature
elected by county option consti-
tuency and standing as county OPP
ton candidate will vote against it,
nor will one representing a commu-
nifty opposed to county option and
standing as local option candidate
vote for it. Whether there will be
change in the unit or a continuance
OF the present system will be termined
by the character of the next legisla-
ture, and it will be, in effect, decided
as soon as the election returns are
known. No recommendation of gov
ernor will make 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 well, and both
bow to sovereign authority. In Novem-
Der, then, the electors themselves will
direct the course to be taken, and that
course should be followed by the men,
bers of the state legislature and by
the chief executive"
Some In Fight For Booty
"By some it is said This question
has no place in politics. The answer
is that it is in politics, and in some
sections of the state to the exclusion
of nearly everything else. Among the
advocates and opponents of county
option may be found earnest, thought
full, patriotic and unselfsh citizens,
and there may also be found self
serving, ambitious, adventurous per-
sons who seize upon popular senti-
ment as convenient vehicle in
which to ride to office. The first are
in the fight for principle, the others
in the fight for booty. Much good,
however, may come from temperance
agitation, whether the question be in
politics or out of it. So long as these
discussions continue the evil of in
temperance will not be hidden, it will
stand out in all its hideous deformity
to the scrutiny of the public, it will
shrink and wither until finally it will
all but disappear. 1t may be over
come by legislation; it may be over
thrown by public sentiment without
legislation
Must Reduce Taxes
Mr.. Hammond discussed the in
crease of state expenditures and the
growing tax rate and said: 1--WE must
keep up the state institutions. We
must provide all the money necessary
for the state to carry on in a good
and proper manner it's many func-
tions. But we cannot go on as we
have been going-increasing our ex.
penditures and burdening the people
of the state with excessive taxation.
'In 1905 the state expenditures were
between eight and nine millions OF
dollars, in 1912 between fourteen anc
fifteen millions of dollars, in 1913
eighteen and one-half millions. Think
of this just moment: Approximately
an increase of $4,000, 900 in the seven
years ending in 1912 and a further
increase of 100000 for the year
1913, and probably a greater increase
for the year 1914. Taxpayers are COM
planning of the 1913 levy paid this
year-the 1914 levy, to be paid next