admit, but as a rule they are made up of "good, honest, publicspirited citizens, many of whom sacrifice pecuniary returns and endure much discomfort by giving their service to local public work." It is sentiment of this kind that bears no good omen for the future of road development under centralized control.

TAXES AND COSTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The two following tables are included in this survey mainly for the benefit of the people of the community dealt with in this survey. The writer was repeatedly asked to explain the cause for the ever-increasing taxes. Space does not permit of a detailed analysis of the tax situation either locally or for the State as a whole. The two following tables, however, show some of the main causes for increase in local taxes; and a comparison of the two brings out differences which the average farmer does not understand.

These two tables studied in connection with the population table on page 8 of the introductory chapter show the reason why farmers of another county adjoining Chisago are complaining of their own taxes, because their "neighbor with just as big

and good a farm pays only two thirds the taxes that they do." Aside from the greater population of Chisago County, there is a difference in taxes due to special ditch taxes levied against the land which was supposed to have been directly benefited thereby. Also, there are marked differences in the costs of the local district schools. (The writer can not refrain from recommending. in this connection, that the local farmers' club at Braham should procure a copy of Professor E. V. Robinson's masterly analysis of the "Cost of Government in Minnesota." This study is published as a part of the Biennial Report of the State Tax Commission for 1912. One or two programs of the year could certainly be given over to a discussion of this important, but poorly. understood, feature of our government).

COUNTY DITCHES

In connection with the county ditch taxes there was considerable complaint. Many farmers had the notion that these ditches would complete the drainage of the farms which were specially taxed for these constructions. When it became evi

dent that these ditches served merely as an outlet for the water which would naturally seep into them, and that this natural seepage is not sufficient to make low swamp lands arable during the greater part of the growing season, there arose numerous and bitter complaints to the effect that these ditches were no good to them. Indeed, it appears that in some instances there was ample cause for complaint. The assessments of taxes in accordance with value received by adjacent property owners, were arbitrarily made. Some people, no doubt, gained at the expense of others in this drainage work. In a few instances, it is maintained, the engineering was so incompetent that the "water actually flowed for a mile or more in the opposite direction from that intended by the engineers in charge." The farmers in these localities made many sarcastic comments in regard to this. "It would be a funny joke, were it not so unjust to the farmers who have to pay for this fool work."

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT

The following table shows how the people of this community cast their ballots for governor of the State, in 1912. It is a fair index of the political sentiments of the community, in regard to state and national politics.

This table shows the diverging opinions of these people on questions of public policy. Comparatively few have wellfounded convictions on state or national politics. The few who do have strong convictions on any question, however, influence many neighbors to vote as they do. This explains the varying percentages of particularly the socialistic or public ownership

vote, and also the prohibition vote. Wherever there is a live Good Templars Lodge, there are usually a large number of prohibition voters. In regard to the varying socialistic vote, it is caused largely by the influence of one or two strong local agi

tators.

The doctrines of the socialists have permeated the political sentiment of the community much more than is indicated by the votes cast for the Public Ownership party candidate for the office of governor. There seemed to be a general impression in the minds of most people that "our government is dominated by cap

Roads running through swamps or old lake beds require constant repair. Farmers contend that local road supervisors give more attention to "bad spots" than would a county supervisor.

tains of wealth." Some farmers even suspected that this social survey was "conceived and carried out at the behest of Rockefeller and the other multi-millionaires who determine not only what the people shall read, and what the growing generations shall be taught at school, but who even run our government." It was thought by many farmers who professed not to be socialists that such investigations as this survey were undertaken "only to find out how much more we poor farmers can stand to have squeezed out of us." Several farmers were so bitter against "this ever increasing inquisitorialness of our government" that they threatened to "sick the dog" on the investigator if he did not leave immediately.

CHAPTER V

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

In the present chapter, consideration will be given all activities and influences which help to train and develop the individual, whether child or adult. First place in such a discussion should be given to the formal educational activities which find their main expression in the public school system. Besides this formally conscious effort of the community to train its youth for greater efficiency and higher culture for the purpose of better citizenship, there are various other informal educational influences which are oftentimes deserving of more attention than is usually given them.

The latest United States census report shows a very favorable educational situation in the four counties represented in this survey. In the matter of first grade teachers, salaries paid, enrollment and attendance of pupils, the counties rank among the first in the State. The following excerpts taken from the report of the Superintendent of Schools of Kanabec County, for the year 1912, is representative of school conditions in general throughout this territory:

"There are 51 school districts in this county, containing 54 school houses. Two of these are of brick, one is brick veneered, and the balance frame. These buildings and sites are valued at $80,276.00. Four new buildings were erected the past year at a cost of $4,558.00, all modern buildings, built according to plans from the Department. One district has added a grammar department to their building and become a semigrade school, making the fourth school of this kind in the county. One district has reorganized as an independent district and is meeting requirements for special aid under the 'Holmberg Act.' Many improvements have been made in other districts, having for their purpose the betterment of their schools. I regret to say there are 16 school grounds having no trees upon them. One hundred and sixty-two trees were set out on last Arbor day in seven different districts.

"All but five school districts have libraries in their school houses. These libraries, as a rule, are very good selections of books for pupils