The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-04
ATTACKS The
ORGANIZATION
CANDIDATE CRAWFORD'S PER-
SONAL APPEAL TO VOTERS.
Men, Corporations and
Oficeholders Are in League, He
Reiterates, to Defeat Him for Gov
ernOr-PatrOnage and Spells Used
to Pull the Strings-AnOther Stand
for Primary Elections.
Special to The journal.

Special to The Journal
Sioux Falls, 8. D., Feb. 4.--The contest
between Coe l. Crawford of Huron on
the one side and the republican state or
ganization on the other for supremacy in
south Dakota continues to attract state
wide attention. Something of a sensa-
ton will be created when citizens of the
state have had an opportunity to read a
letter which Crawford is mailing to voters.
In this letter he vigorously assails the
present republican leaders and charges
that they have combined against him the
men who represent the political interests
of the great corporations doing business
in South Dakota. He also administers
rebuke to the federal officehOlders of the
state, especially the editors who hold the
position of postmaster and oppose his can
didacy. He says in part:
Corporations Seek to Control.
The men who represent the political interests
of the great corporations doing business in this
state, such as the Standard Oil company, the
| railway, telegraph, insurance and express com,
| against me. These men are always present in
the Hobbies during the sessions of our legislature
| and to prevent legislation honestly designed to
make these corporations accountable to the peo-
pie before the law.
| disposal, such rebates franks and passes
| these men have acquired great political power
and now seek absolutely to control the republican
The bosses are bringing, out candidates in va.
rlous counties ostens'bly In the interest OF such
masks Of this kind--of eventually combining the
field against me; and it is, of course. expected
| that their delegations when the time comes,
| will drop the home candidates and support the
| man selected by the bosses.
| In this way the corporate interests and pOllti-
| cal bosses seek to dictate the nomination.. there
by placing the nominee under special obligations
mail make ' this Statement with deliberation be-
| cause my own personal observation since becom-
ing candidate has demonstrated to ne It's alb,
solute truthfulness. Men of this -,oul.i
not be allowed to usurp control of the publican
party in the state. AS long as the. ~:an have
soon as candidate declares himself indepen-
dent of their domination, they seek to rule Il
| ruin
cubus Of corporate domination and to wreSt tie
control Of the party from the bosses, lies i'll the
enactment Of primary election law, coupled
with the abolition of all passes, franks and
special favors from public-service corporations
except to employees.
Professional Lobbyists.
When the men who are professional and stand
ing lobbyists, and who accept special retainers
for their services during legislative sessions ir
promoting the interests Of corporations and mo
nopolies, and preventing the enactment OF law:
for the regulation and control of such corpora
lions, can join hands with a few, party bosses
ofhceholders and hangerson. and, by the use o.
patronage and railway passes, can control nom
nations for the, republican party OF the state
|
and to take the matter into their hand
= and enact laws which will prevent the admins
tration of public affairs from getting into thu
5 hands Of unworthy men.
The enactment of a state primary election
law and the abolition of passes will check thes
tendencies. which are dangerous to good govern
ment. and which may bring disaster to on
party. ...5- -...
r 1 believe that the majority of the rank an
file of the republican party in this state is i
sympathy with my views upon these questions
! and thut by taking active stand and gettin
I a full vote out to attend the caucuses and pr
maries and insisting that delegates be elect
= ed to the county and state conventions eXcep
such as will declare their independence Of part
: bosses, and go record upon these issues,
can be nominated. and the result will be whole
some and beneficial to the republican party. an
s make every member Of it feel that he has el
. ercised an influence for the good Of the party.
:. My campaign is progressing nicely and
. growing in strength daily. Support is comm
y to me from localities where least expected i
My friends arranging everywhere for e
fective work Will you not take an interest
:, my behalf in your precinct and help in a caus
: Of this kind by seeing to it that the delegate
/; selected from your precinct to the county al
y state conventions pledged for me upon abo1
e Issues? -