The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1937-04-22
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By Vim Weber

precious days, days that lack suf-
| ficient hours, remain for the fif-
tieth session of the Minnesota leg
islature to wind up its business.
While there has been much in the
public press to the effect that the
session has accomplished but lit
tie, I feel that when the two bod
les answer to the adjournment
sine die, that the records will
| show that the session has meaSur-
ed up well with those of the past
so far as major legislation is con-
| cerned.
The senate has passed much
worthy legislation; it has killed
measures which should have been
passed and it has killed no end of
crack-pot legislation which will
reflect credit upon the member
ship for so doing.
But legislatures are not popu-
lar. AS a newspaper man, my
self, I have during the past quart
er century enjoyed the pleasant
pastime of lambasting the legis-
lature and congress. You know
! any editor can sit in his sanctum
sanctorum and write reams upon
reams of just what ought to be
done and how to do it. That is
an editors prerogative and it's
about the only satisfaction he
gets. The butcher may deny him
credit until his meat bill is paid;
the groceryman may stretch his
ad a little in order that the poor
editor might keep body and soul
together and the banker may
scold him for running overdraftS
and failing to pay the interest on
the 10 or IL year old note that
reposes in his strong chest, but
what are these but mere trifles to
one who in one fell swoop can
solve the tax problem, balance
the budget, set up proper relief
agencies and what not. Oh, it's a
great life the editor enjoys.
And legislators are peculiar
animals. During a campaign they
visit the editor, stress their quail
fications, prove their unwavering
friendship. Why if elected there
is nothing they will not do to
make the editors lot a happier
and more prosperous one. Yes
stree, but mind you, that is dur
ing the campaign. Once the GER
| tificate of election has been safe
ly tucked in his vest pocket and
the roll call is made upon legisla-
ton, Mr.. Legislator, in the press
of affairs of state, is apt to forget.
Perhaps because this strange ma
lady of forgetfulness envelopes
him Mr.. Editor becomes the for
gotten man.
For years the newspapermen of
Minnesota have fought for legiS-
lation that would require the
publication of village council and
school board proceedings and an
annual financial statement. They
have waged this fight believing
that the taxpayer has right to
know how his tax dollar is being
expended and in the belief that
the light of publicity makes for
true economy in governmental af-
fairs. But they have always been
voted down by these dear pre-
election friends and school boards
| and village councils, unless con-
| stituted of men and women who
desire to keep faith with those
| they represent and publish this
necessary information can by ac-
ton of the Minnesota state senate
| of 1897, continue to conceal their
operations and laugh up their
sleeves at the dear "peepul."
The newspapermen of the state,
it must be admitted, must extend
their thanks to the League of
Municipalities, an agency that
collects large membership fees
from the villages of the state,
wins free office space at the state
university and secures its month
ly publication and other printing
also from the state university
press, for reminding the legislat-
ors that such an expenditure upon
the part of the village or school
district would be Wanton waste
of public funds
But while Mr.. Editor gets kick
ed around now and then, this
writer is pleased to know that
there are others more fortunate
Last Friday the term of Commits
sioner Elsberg, of the highway
department, was extended to four
years, and under the terms of the
bill, he can only be discharged for
incompetency in office. This is a
move in the right direction. For
some years the highway commits
Sioner has been at the mercy of
the governor and therefore has
had to do his bidding. AS a re-
suit, it has been charged, and the
records seem to prove that,the de-
partment too frequently has been
involved in politics. Naturally eff
ficiency in any department can
not be maintained when politics
enter in and under the new set
up new day is dawning. Let us
hope it is not marred by clouds of
any sort.
| Senate file 1875, introduced by
this correspondent, passed the
house this week and now awaits
conference. Under the provisions
of the bill the five man commits
sion is abolished and a commits
| sionership created. 1t is well. For
six long years the five man COM
mission has been a stormy petrol
in the state. Required by law to
| set up policies for the director,
nothing of any consequence has
occurred In the meantime a re-
volving fund of $750,0OO has been
dissipated and the department
finances badly crippled. The house
did not concur completely in the
senate bill, striking out the pro-
vision placing all funds in the
/ state treasury for ALLEGATION by
| the legislature. There was no in
tention on the part of the senate
| to divert game and fish funds te