The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1918-11-04
STATEMENT BY COUNTY
CORONER GARFIELD AKERBERG
CANDIDATE FOR REFLECTION

! Having had the honor and con-
fidence from the voters Of this county
of being elected as county coroner,
now almost four years ago, aud as
candidate for reelection, I feel that
it is but Just and proper to give you
the following information and brtef
history connected with my candidacy
and myself. , 80
was born September S, 1882.
Brought up farm near st. Hllaire,
MINI, At the age Of 16 entered the
employment Of the Crookston Lumber
company, then Of St. Hilaire, as a
sawmill hand, where worked until
1902. At which time together with
other members Of the family moved
to Bemidji where have resided con-
ttnuously for more than sixteen
wears. MY occupation and business
during such residence has been as
a sawmill worker, and In the mercan-
tile business for number OF years.
I, have common school and busl-
ness college education. H.
-, :. For, those that are not famiilar
with my present or former nom1na-
tion and election I wish to state
that in both instances was In
dorsed by referendum vote OF the
common, people Of this county as
their candidate for the nomination
Of this office unsolicited by myseH,
and in accordance with their desire,
filed as candidate for the nomina-
ton under the nonpartisan law prior
to the primary election June r.
1918. .,- ...,..... -.
The laws of this state does not
require any special training or quail
, ification for the office Of county
coroner. But as 1t is enormously
argued by some and advertised IN
connection with the candidacy for
this office and possible believed or
misunderstood by some, that IL
censed undertaken has some neces-
sary qualification, or that 1t Is in
some way essential to the office as
county coroner. While this Is not
true, but rather has its detrimental
effect, which must be evident from
the following facts That their, skill
or. knowledge in their particular
branch or business Is Of no assist
ance or merit to them, in determining
whether a person has come to his
death from violence or from casualty,
in holding inquests, or in any other
duties connected with the coroner's
office and for the further reason,
that the laws of this state specifically
,forbids the county coroner, as well
as other officials, to contract or to
be party to any contracts in which
county funds are evolved, either in
his official capacity or otherwise;
and the law evidently intended, and
7 that ~ chnnld
not be possible for an official to use
his office to advance his own selfish
economic interest at the expense and
to the detrimental effect Of the pub
lie welfare, and possible to the ex-
clusion OF all others by virtue OF such
office. ...+
Consequently then, "a licensed un-
dertaker cannot render his service,
furnish supplies or bury the dead as
county coroner and legally collect
from the county for such--but must
only direct others to do so.
And If through any course Of de-
ception this law is evaded, as for
example, substituting the name of an
employe or employer for the purpose
of collecting such bills. Thus the
law is defeated and the purpose for
which 1t was evidently intended,
and with possibly all its former in
herent evils still entact, ri
In this respect as we'll as all 9TH
ers I am under obligations to none.
With no personal economic interest
to serve. Thus assuring strict
compliance with the law and thus
the best possible result obtainable.
If elected again I will in the
future as in the past, work in har-
mony with the sheriff and county
attorney in all matters pertaining
to the office. I hope my conduct of
the office in the past will merit your
consideration for economy, efficiency
and honesty. On my past official
record, together with my record as
a citizen for more than sixteen
years of your county, I respectfully
solicit your vote.
GARFIELD AKERBERG.