The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-05-02

causes and conditions. Logically it
then follows that my campaign will
not be pluming of the plant feathers
to the shifting breezes of public sem
| timent but crusade along well defn-
ed principles into which propose to
enter with the best energies ! can
command
'The attention of the voter of the
state must be centered. The issue
must be made. Once made it must be
met and fought out in the forum of an
election.
Il propose what to me, and I be-
lieve to the vast majority of the peo-
pie of the state, is the great out
standing issue in Minnesota today; the
one issue which has driven more men
into public office and more men out
of it in this state in the last ten years
than any other issue; the issue which
has been shrouded in more mystery
and received less public discussion
than any of the many which have
been proposed and fought out while it
itself remains unsettled; an issue
which more generally affects the
states welfare and it's revenues and
on which more other beneficial legis-
lation is dependent than any other
that has ever been proposed.
Urges Tonnage Tax.
ut is, shall Minnesota place tom
mage tax on iron ore?
Il stand for, and if elected governor
shall insist upon, and exert every pow
er vested in the executive office to
secure tonnage tax on iron ore. The
last legislature appropriated an amount
for the bi ennial period which pro-
vides for expenditures of about $16,-
100000 per year. 1t is variously esti-
mated that tonnage tax on iron ore
would yield a revenue to the state Of
from $5,000,000 to $S,000,000.
"Minnesota's school system should
be second to none; if tonnage tax
revenue were procured it could be
made the best in America without q
burden.
Il favor liberal appropriations for
roads.
There should be some proper leg
islation providing state insurance of
workmen's compensation and other
wise improving the working condi-
tions of men and women.
Some kind of law should be passed
which will improve grain marketing
and storage conditions and enable the
farmers of the state to protect them
selves against manipulation of the
market.
"A budget system should be inaugu-
rated. s..f=
Every unnecessary appointive Of
flee should be abolished and the work
of many consolidated and salaries
paid commensurate only with those
paid to persons privately employed in
like work.
Soldiers should receive preferr-
ment in appointments to public posi-
lions for which they are qualified.
The best demonstration of loyalty
to the soldier and to the states cause
will be the performance of the citi-
zen's plain duty to participate direct
ly and conscientiously in the states
elections to the end which will best
bring about proper working condi-
tioHs and equal opportunity in the
commercial. : industrial and business
activities of the commonwealth.
II trust that the voters will assist
in directing the contest within the
lines of the controlling issue SO that
the result may be definite, clear and
certain and the mandate unmistakable,
as / confidently believe it will Re-
spectfully submitted, Franklin F. Els
worth"
The entrance of Mr.. Ellsworth into
the gubenatorial contest leaves the
field open in the second district for a
battle royal for Mr.. Ellsworth's seat
in congress. That there will be sew
eral candidates there is no dnnhf