The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1915-02-18
COUNTY OPTION Big PROBLEM IN HOUSE
THE QUESTION NEXT WEEK VERY DOUBTFUL.
FARMER MEMBERS AGAIN AFTER GRAIN GAMBLERS
INTERESTING LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
Especial to Sank Centre Herald.)

Especial TO Sauk centre feralQ.)
st. Paul, Feb. 14.-Some people are
never satisfied. That is, speaking
about certain elements in every par
eel of people who are behind the ele-
ments of reform.
But to get down to concrete facts.
The Senate passed the Peterson
county option bill. 1t was the official
bill of the Minnesota Anti-Saloon
League. The senators must be given
credit for bowling to the will of part
of the people anyway. Those voting
for the bill must be given credit for
their stand. To those who voted
against the bill it can be said that
they had the courage of their con-
victions.
1t took but few days following
passage of the county option measure
to find the upper branch deIuged with
a flood of petitions. They recited
that the senders wished to protest
against the action of the senators.
The carpers wanted the Lobeck
statewide prohibition bill passed.
AS an instance of this activity
there were S3 petitions received in the
Senate alone in one day. Nearly
every member of the body received
some sort of criticism of his vote on
the county option proposition.
If the people did not want county
option, but prohibition in its stead,
why did they support the county OPP
ton theory at all. They could have
got busy with their pens when the
measure was introduced That would
have been the time to protest against
the measure and boost for absolute
"dryness." County option is a step
toward prohibition. The people can
judge from the actions of the SO coun-
ties as to the sentiment in favor of
prohibiting the sale of liquor. If a
majority of the counties do "dry" it
will be a pretty good indication that
statewide prohibition is wanted.
In view of the fact that a county
option bill has never before been pas
sed by either branch of the Minnesota
legislature the SO senators should be
given credit for their votes. Censure
of their actions is hardly in place at
this time.
The weilders of the hammer are al
ready busy tapping the shells of those
who would stop land speculation.
j. A. o. Preus, state auditor, draft
ed new land law covering the sale
and future disposal of state lands.
Representatives C. H. Warner and C.
W. Bouck presented the bill in the
house last week.
Bang!
A report and a loud wall followed.
One St. Paul land man rushed forth
n to the Capitol. He got a copy
If the proposed law. He then said
he would place on the desk of every
solon printed protest against the
bill. But there is merit to his argu-
ment at that.
He pointed out that homestead re-
quirements are required under terms
of the bill. That purchaser must do
one of three things-fence rs per
cent of the tract for pasture, plow
and raise farm crop on five per cent
of the tract, build house and reside
therein for IL months consecutively.
"The government will sell land for
$1.25 an acre." said the land man.
"The homestead requirements are
easy. People will probably prefer to
buy Federal lands than Minnesota
state properties. The bill requires
that a purchaser must view his land
before he can put his purchasing pow
er in the hands of an agent"
This portion of the bill will work
hardship on the farmers who would
seek to club together, send one man
to buy the land and thereby cut down
their expenses. Under the proposed
law they must see the land anyway
and stand expenses of the trip to view
it.
The lawmakers of Minnesota are
not wanting in sentiment.
These 1877 men come to the capitol
to work. They have their fun but
there is plenty of work for them all.
But despite their seriousness they did
not forget the daddy" of the legis-
lature on his birthday.
Charles A. Gilman was 80 years old
February g..
His fellow-workers in the House
presented the aged solon with a gor-
geous bouquet of roses. Mr.. Gilman
accepted the gift in a little speech.
He expressed the hope that he would
be with his fellows at the Fortieth
session.
| "a study in Opposites."
This might well be the title of bro
chure on Gov. Hammond and his pri-
vate secretary, Charles M. Andrist.
The governor keeps to the sanctity
of his chamber. No one is allowed to
enter the sacred precincts without be-