The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-10-11
THE MAGGOT OF Politics.

Juoo 40 mduy COmpuuCG1OQS ABOUT
dragging the educational system of
the state into politics as he has about
dragging in the penal and charitable
institutions--and no more. The facts
are we'll known. They have been be-,
fore the public for several weeks. Yet
he has not shown any more zeal in
correcting matters than he has shown
in suppressing Mr.. Rosing's political
activity as a member of the board of
control. Reference is had to the
participation in the campaign of one
of the teachers at the St. Cloud
normal school, Mr.. Magnusson, demo-
cratic candidate for secretary of state.
Alvah Eastman, president of the
normal school board-who, Incl
dentally, is an appointee of Gov.
Johnson-has admitted that on his
responsibility he gave Mr.. Magnusson
three months leave of absence to en-
gage in the campaign. His excuse
was that Mr.. Magnusson was too good
teacher to lose and that he did not
want to take his resignation merely
because Magnusson Was to be a candi-
date. Yet he knew perfectly we'll that
Mr.. Magnusson had no. chance what
ever of election. He knew that the
sole effect of the leave of absence was
to put on the stump on behalf of Gov.
johnson teacher in the employ of
the normal school board, who as soon
as the campaign is over is likely
again to take up his former. duties.
Having turned this gentleman loose
while keeping his place for him there
appears to be no good reason why the
rest of the teachers should not do
political work every two years. What
is good for one school ought to be
good for all. Three dozen workers
are better than one.
The rest of the normal school board
were not responsible for the leave OF
absence and this federation of political
activity on the part of one of the
teaching staff. The case is so flag
rant, however, that it is, to say the
least, extraordinary that the board
has not repudiated Mr.. Eastman's
action and definitely severed Mr..
Magnusson's connection with the
schools. Nor has there come word
of protest FROM our. "reform" admin
istration. So long as the normal
schools and the board of control are
used in his own interests, Gov. John
son is not at all disturbed at any
amount of political activity.
There is one unavoidable inference
to make from this state of affairs.
It may not be true that there is de-
liberate purpose to turn both the board
of control and the normal school
board into political machines, but it
is certain that an administration,
which not only tolerates but, in the
face of public protest, encourages the
utilization of the institutional machin-
cry of the state for political purposes
is perfectly capable of filling up the
board of control and the normal
school board with politicians, who will
not hesitate to use their powers, not in
the interests of the institution under
their care but in the interests of the
political organization to which thew
belong, and for the purpose of en-
trenching themselves in positions of
honor or profit. The step from that
condition of affairs to the filing of the
subordinate places, high and low, in
prisons, hospitals and schools with
political workers is dangerously
short and easy one. It has been
taken in other states, and it can be
taken in Minnesota with just as much
facility. If the people of the state do
not, at the very inception of this evil,
put their foot down upon it and crush
it they will have to do battle before
long, not with a maggot but with
monster. Pioneer Press.
It is charged by the International
Policyholders' committee that the New
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