Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-09-28
COUNTY POLITICS,

| Ihere has been some talk OF indie.
pendent candidates being induced to
file upon the county ballot for the
election this fall This is one of the
glorious privileges of the American
citizen, possessed by all such as were
not candid ates at the primaries. That
there is a very widespread demand
for opposition to some of the nomi-
nees Of the late primary none CONVEX.
SAINT with the conditions will deny,
and it need not surprise any one it can
didates would feel encouraged to ex-
ercise their privilege, and enter the
race fer the positions of trust and
emolument that the county bestows.
The TRIBUNE did not consider it
within its province to take a direct
part in the contest before the republic
can primaries. Hence we can discuss
the candidates presented with freedom,
and give our views of the situation
from the attitude of an independent
newspaper.
For representative, the Peoples par
ty candidate, August O. Forsberg, is
the peer of any man in the county in
learning, aptness in debate and knowl-
edge of public airs, and his election
would reflect credit upon the county.
For county auditor, Lewis Johnson
won the republican nomination by q
narrow majority. Lewis is q poor
politician, as some Of bis acts before
the primary election showed, but he
makes first. class auditor and is pro-
badly safe for two years more. Some
OF the opposition encountered by him
in this city was credit to him. His
opponent, Mr.. Fouts, obtained half of
his vote Tor 549) in the city of Will
mar, village OF Atwater and the vii
lage of Raymond with Edwards
thrown in. In the country districts,
Johnson lead was 1856, and this would
be increased with the full vote out.
For treasurer, Mr.. Norm, the pres
ent incumbent, won the four cornered
fight with 948 votes out of 2,46l cast
for this office. Mr.. Norm cannot claim
to be nominated by the majority vote
of his party. T1o-thirds of the voters
said by their vote that they wanted a
change. A good, clean man, for whom
the supporters of Boyd, Hedin and
Rice would unite, would win out in
the election.
Ole Lundquist had no opposition in
the primaries, probably because Of
the fact that he is serving his first
term. One of the distinctive duties of
the sheriff is to apprehend violators
of the laws, and assist in the enforc-
ing of law and order. Since the sa-
looms have been abolished in the ma
jority Of the municipalities of the
county, what few criminals are to be
dealt with are usually blind. piggers.
Mr.. Lundquist's record in assisting
in dealing with this gentry is not of
the best. 1t is true that he has left the
most delicate stu atiOns to be dealt
with by his deputies, but their work
is part of his record, as they hold
their positions only by his sanction.
The people will not soon forget the re-
peated farcical drawing of jurles
packed with the customers and SYM
pathizers OF the accused piggers. A
pledge should be exacted from the
sheriff that he will retire the deputies
who VIGOROUSLY associate with and
sympathjze with the liquor element, or
upon his refusal to do this q good
man should be encouraged to enter
the lists against him in the election.
If the citizens movement wishes to be
consistent, it can do no less. The fate
of the present county attorney, with
his beggarly $50 votes out of a total
of 2,4l5 cast at the primary, should be
an object lesson to all public officials
of Kandiyohi county. The good peo-
pie OF the county will not be trihed
with. We do not say this from any
motives Of personal ill-will nor of de-
sire for the Office for anyone else in
mind, but with the hope that the era
OF decency in law enforcement after
Jan. l, be inaugurated under the best
possible conditions.
1t is hardly likely that anyone will
attempt to dislodge Judge Nordin
from the probate Office nor Mr.. Olson
from the register of deeds Office, and
both of these gentlemen are resting
easy.
While minority candidate Of his
party, Mr.. OIterness' nomination for
county attorney will undoubtedly be
ratified at the polls at the November
election. he has the best wishes of
the TRIBUNE for the success of the re-
cord he will begin to make after Jan.
l next. He will have the backing of
all good citizens regardless of party,
in every effort to promote respect and
regard for law and decency in public
aft airs.
For clerk of court, the results of the
primary show plainly that q large