Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-09-25

II II i G A N
the saving of immature stands from
the logging operations OF the operators
who. at the present time. ar penal
lied by the ad valorem tar on growing
timber.
Honesty In Government.
There can be no difference Of opinion
as to the necessity of keeping the gov
eminent Of the state and nation clean
and honest. The prosecution OF Of
fcials who betray public trust must
be impartial and unsparing. But the
motive behind such prosecution should
be desire to promote and protect the
general welfare, not to gain partisan
Advantage at the cost Of personal repu-
tation: for he who steals another's re-
putation In order 10 promote his own
political interest is not far removed In
guilt from him who in order to advance
his own financial interest connives
with others to steal the public domain.
Justice must be speedy and relentless.
but It must also be free from malice
II malice prevails. justice 10 not
served.
The Republican party has had In its
councils men whom II has repudiated.
Those men are being prosecuted vigor-
ously and will be punished as soon as
their guilt has been judicially deter.
mined. The Democratic party has had
In Its councils men whose records were
equally reprehensible, and individuals
active in launching the movement out
OF which grew tn so-called Farmer
Labor party have been under indict-
ment In North Dakota and In fail in
Montana. Guilt Is personal, and its
penalties should be personal. II is the
hope OF all good citizens. regardless Of
party affiliations. that the guilty be
punished adequately. II should like
wise be their demand that all innocent
be protected adequately.
Law enforcement
Laxness OF law enforcement inevitab-
ly results In disregard for law, and
disregard for law to contempt for gov
eminent There has been much legis-
lation enacted during the last decade,
some good. some bad. and much OF II
Indifferent. The legislatures capacity
to make laws has far outrun the execu-
tive's capacity to enforce them. A CEN
fury and a half ago Thomas Jefferson
declared that that government governs
best which governs least Like many
other general statements OF truth. the
dictum of Jefferson 10 true only in
qualified and restricted sense. Human
relations are more intricate than they
were century ago and out Of the
greater complexity Of modern society
has arisen the necessity for more laws.
However. II can be said with conf
dence that one Of the reasons why gov
eminent is succeeding so indifferently
today In protecting life. property and
liberty and in doing the things govern
ment was primarily intended to do is
that II is dissipating so much of It's
effort In trying TO do many things
which the government was never In
tented to concern itself with. The
grist Of the law mills is 80 great that a
learned lawyer must spend most OF his
time reading new statutes II he would
be sure to avoid the consequences OF
infringing them. II would probably be
well II we could have occasional legis-
lative sessions devoted exclusively to
repeating and amending laws hereto
fore enacted. We need more admins
tration. less legislation.
II elected governor, shall use every
power within my command TO secure
full and impartial enforcement OF all
laws. The enforcement OF a bad law
is the surest way to defeat II, and the
enforcement OF good one IL the best
way TO vindicate It.
Relief From Tax Burden.
Relief from the burden of excessive
taxation presents the predominant Is
sue OF the campaign and the subject OF
most vital interest to the people Of
Minnesota. II Is true that less than 10
per cent OF the tax burden Is imposed
by the state government. but the state
government oweJ the duty OF setting
an example to counties, cities, villages.
townships and school districts. wher.
ever excessive and unnecessary local
expenditures are made necessary by
state laws, such laws should be re-
placed or amended.
One of the largest items of govern.
mental expenditure Is interest on
bonded Indebtedness. In Minnesota
public Indebtedness has increased 2ss
per cent In ten years and now aggre-
gates $500, 000. 900. Practically all of
this Is Indebtedness OF counties, cities,
villages. townships and school districts
In fact. the Indebtedness OF the state
government, exclusive Of rural credits
bonds. Is only about $4,000. 00o-of
which twelve millions are soldier
bonus certificates. Communities have
voted bonds. often In utter disregard Of
the Inevitable day OF reckoning. Bond
Issue has been pyramided on bond Is
sue. until the interest alone necessi.
tates large tax levy. Other states have
had the same experience. In Iowa the
percentage OF Increase In ten years
has been $40. In Michigan sos. II the
tendency Of the last decade continues
during the life of the present genera.
ton our posterity will face a burden
that win present the alternative Of
confscation or Reputation.
The remedy Is TO compel the genera.
ton that creates Indebtedness to dis.
charge H. Enact legislation that will
make null and void bonds. issued for
any purpose except refundment OF
existing obligations. which do not
carry with them q definite tax levy
running over the period OF the bonds
sufficient at the expiration OF that
period 10 discharge those bonds.
II Is said that the total public indebt.
edness OF the American people at the
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