Decorah-posten og ved arnen., 1914-05-29
Spicer Rinr.
A LETTER FROM
SENATOR NELSON
United States Senate, May a3rd, 1914.
Consul J. b. Wist,
DEBORAH, Iowa.

United States Senate, May a3rd, 1914.
Consul J. b. Wist,
DEBORAH, Iowa.
Dear friend,
Though somewhat tardy permit me
to congratulate you on the Fest
skrlft' recently published under your
auspices. IL is a most valuable cou-
tribution to the history of the Nor
wegian people in America. While all
the articles are good and OF a high
order, that relating to the Norwegian
Press is 10 me the most interesting
because | have been more or less
personally acquainted with so many
OF the men named. Permit me also
to add that ! find your "Symra" most
interesting, especially because OF the
many valuable contributions from the
old pioneers, many OF whom will soon
pass away. while many OF them are
already gone. Their recoIlections OF
the struggles and trials OF pioneer
days is a Saga worthy Of perpetual
ton through the columns OF the
'Symra"
As you know, one Of your Luther
College Boys" Jacob A. O. Preus.
now Insurance Commissioner of
Minnesota, is a candidate for State
! Auditor in that State. lnasmuch as
II is generally known that he was
for about 1 years one OF my secre-
%taries here in Washington, | have re-
Gently received many letters inquir-
ing OF me as 10 his fitness and quail
hcations for the office of State Audi
tor, and as | find il difficult 10 answer
so many letters, | shall be very glad
If. through the columns OF DEBORAH
POsten'. | can make a general an
swer TO these letters.
Mr.. Preus, as you know, is the
! Grandson OF Herman Preus, who
was for many years President OF the
! Norwegian Synod, and the son OF {.
X. Preus, President OF Luther Col
lege. He is a graduate OF that col
lege, and after graduation took a
course in law, graduated in same, and
was duly admitted 10 the Bar as 4
lawyer in all our courts. Shortly
after his admission 70 the Bar | ap-
pointed him my assistant secretary,
and he came here 70 Washington 20
assist me in my work. He very soon
| became familiar with his duties here,
and | found him most thorough.
/ energetic. and efficient in his work,
and a great help 10 me. He was
equally az home IN English, Norwe-
gian, and German, and he was h o
roughly grounded in the fundamental
principles OF law; so much so that |
/ frequently employed him TO prepare
briefs for me on important legal
questions. In the meantime Cover
nor Eberhart had gotten his eye on
/ Mr.. Preus and his ability and eff
cheney. and, as a consequence, ten
dered him the position or Executive
/ Clerk. and lnasmuch as the salary or
that office was nearly twice what |
was allowed 10 pay Mr.. Preus. felt
that | could not stand in the way OF
his promotion though | was very
10th to part with him. After some
| service as Executive Clerk, Governor
EberharJ found Mr.. Preus so Ell
hcient, able, and faithful, that he ap-
pointed him 10 the highly important
Office OF Commissioner OF Insurance.
And in this position Mr.. Preus has
proved himself 70 be n OF the
ablest. most energetic, and most
faithful men who ever held that Of
hce. He is remarkable for his in
dustry, and for his ability to COM
prehend and properly solve all inn
portant questions pertaining 10 the
intricate subject OF insurance. Mr..
Preus is not only we'll versed IN the
laws Of our Country but he is pos
sessed of rare and unusual executive
abilities, and above all, he is morally
and intellectually honest and faithful.
From my acquaintance with him. |
am satisfied that he will exercise and
perform the duties OF State Auditor
with ability, integrity. and efficiency.
In fact | can think OF NJ n as well
qualified for the office in every re-
spect as he is.
Yours truly.
KNTTTE NET SON