The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-12-27
BY Judge Palmer

IAOH. y. "A. "A. BufnqulSt. st. Paul,
Mimi
Dear Sir: It is seldom that a pub
lie officer is justified rushing into
print to justify his factions as an Of
ficial-and "stop thief'' is a familiar
noise emitted by those caught in uues-
tionable deals.
Your action as governor in sending
company of the National Guard to
this place to control the local situa-
ton has been condemned as arbitrary
and wholly unwarranted by the local
Legion, by the city council, by nearly
every county and city officer, and by
every impartial observer who has been
in a position to know and understand
conditions.
Some time ago local officials, in
Guiding myself, sent you the follow
ing telegram:
The report sent you from here,
from some source. to the effect that
there has been rioting or disorder of
any kind is a malicious lie Sending
of National Guards here, without the
request of the sheriff or mayor of
this city is deliberate insult.
Answer"
Calls Burnquist Bluff
In your answer telegraphed to DR..
M. T.. Wlthrow, commander Of the
local Legion. and to which you have
given wide publicity in the city news
papers, you are discreet enough not
to repeat this telegram, but among
other things you say:
If the city and county officers who
signed your statement are not in SYM
pathy with every legitimate endeavor
to prevent disturbances, they ought
to resign their positions, instead of
joining you in sending this office an
unwarranted telegram based upon
falsehood."
AS lawyer YOU should be familiar
with the rules of evidence.
On what evidence do you base your
assumption that this telegram was
either unwarranted or based upon
falsehood?
i Not on the call of the, sheriff for
ne has made sworn affidavit that
no such request was made.
Yes, Judge Palmer Knows
certainly not on the testimony of
any fairminded man who has been on
the ground and knew conditions.
l am willing, however, to give YOU
the benefit of every doubt.
1 am not willing to believe that YOU
would knowingly and deliberately per-
NIT the high office of governor TO be
prostltuted to the service of merely
selfish interests.
You may have been the victim of
advisers who did not have in mind
the public interests.
I agree with you "That any city or
county officer Cncluding governor)
who is not in sympathy with every
legitimate endeavor to prevent dis
turbances ought to resign their Of
fice."
This is a fair proposition and in
the public interests.
However, I will not be outdone in
fairness even by the governor of Min
nesota.
The public interests can not be
much affected by the fortunes or
ambitions, political or otherwise of
any one man.
Puts 1t Up to the Governor
[ submit this proposition to you:
l will place my resignation as
public official in the hands of any
impartial tribunal. and you do the
same.
Let this tribunal fully investigate
the situation and circumstances sur
rounding the sending of the National
Guard to this place and the sending
of the telegram by u.s.
Then let this tribunal say who has
been best serving the public interests
and the interest of law and order in
this matter-you or the officials who
sent you this telegram.
If their decision is in your favor
my resignation to take effect at once
and the same with you in case the
decision is against you.
I will even go further than this
will be as public spirited as Artemus
Ward was patriotic who said he was
willing to send all his wife's relatives
to the war. will further stipulate
that the losing party shall not after
ward, directly of indirectly. become a
candidate for governor. or United
States senator, either by election or
appointment.
I know of no better way to. serve
the public interests nor Of acertaiuiu6
the truth as to this situation.