Willmar tribune., 1900-11-14
POLITICAL WRINKLES.

NOt content With the victory they have won,
the organs of the republican county organiza-
tion continue their vicious stabs at the TRIB-
uNE. Knowing as they do that this paper has
wonderful popularity among the country
people. OF the county, their purpose is to use
their party advantage to it's fullest limit in
their attempt to discredit the TRIBUNE among
these people. That. is alright boys, You are
welcome to our patronage, IF you CAN GET IT.
Everyone who has had anything to do with
local politics fully appreciates the work and
influence of the TRIBUNE in local affairs
Here is a question for Mr.. Argus or Mr.. Gazette
to answer How much of vote would your
county outfit have had it Bryan had carried
the county by 1,l39 votes? AS it was, every
republican county candidates majority fell
behind that'of the national lticket-represent-
ative, 270 auditor 46 (although Johnson's total
vote exceeded McKnley's); treasurer, 10l;
register of deeds, 9l2; sheriff. 478; judge of
probate, III; county attorney, $40 OF course,
we do not claim that: the influence of the
TRIBUNE was responsible for all of this differ
ence. The popularity OF the candidates had
much to do with it.
~
From every part OF the county come assur-
ances that the defeat sustained by the reform
forces has not discouraged the faithful but has
simply steeled their determination to stand by
their guns. A party that cannot survive de-
feat is not tit to win victory
*x*
Why is it that the older men among the
local republicans hang their heads and are
trying to square themselves with certain
defeated candidates? They know what meth
DDS were used to carry the county so strongly,
and they fear the reaction which has already
set in. The result OF the election locally has
set people thinking, and the result will likely
in the end prove good thing for the coun, y.
Some of the long the AIDED old politicians would
have felt more secure had they suffered par
tialt defeat than they now do after anfsovef-
whelming victory. r...'
In the Third district, Mr. Smithson, the demo-
He can, and probably does, lay his close call To-
the Willmar Tribune. The Tribune brought
the Foot Lake dump. into politics. without
justice or reason, making it necessary for the
republican, commiJtee to show up MI. Smith
sons record on this Observation-Disclosures. ~, .
Ever since the result of the election became
known, every henchman OF the county ring
has been saying that the Foot Lake dump ex-
pose OF the TRIBUNE cost the peoples ticket
votes. They hope by that means to make the
people really believe that Is true and thus be
able to consummate their steal from the
county without opposition. They cannot do
it. We will admit that it probably did not
make great many votes for our ticket, for
the reason that local Issues were overshad-
owed by national issues, and other local issues
overshadowed the dump question. But it still
remains live political issue, and we do not
expect to live very long before the people will
be heard from on the matter. It is all right
fora few smart-aleck politicians who ride in
.on "a big wave to make light Of it; but wait,
boys, wait.s Time win tell who is right. @5,I ri
But on the other hand the Gazette claims
that its show-up OF Mr.. Smitbson's connection
with tn he dump question cost him votes. How
could It II it was not an issue: But Smithson
stands pledged to oppose the paying Of the
dump orders. and for that reasonthe Gazettes
..sho w-np'' could not injure him. It is true
that SmithsOn's vote was reduced g. votes,
but did Hagen makea corresponding gain1
Hagen was the candidate In 1895, and re-
ceived then "a votes. This year he received
279 votes, gain of five votes.4S What became
OF Smithson's vote? Look at the table pub:
lished elsewhere: Burbank, Slvotes registered
but not voted; Colfax, II; Irving, 50; New Lon
don, ~; and Roseville, Z. Does the Gazette
presume to say that these people, who viii
never have the remotest benefit from sttle
Foot Lake dump, would stay away from the
polls because the peoples county convention
adopted resolutions conde demning itf ss u
q go f -
% ssss tt
4 Insrerard tothe let, ,ers by the IN inlstsrs
that were sent out from Willmar, the TRIp-
UHE desires TO make 9 atement:
|s A certain minister ofs WI lmar prepared
a dr1ftOf the letter and 5aftef IL lad been