The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-09-06
SMOKE THEM OUT
If There is a Candidate Other Than
Knute Nelson Let Him Step
Into the Limelight.
The People Have a Right to Know
Whom Candidates for the
Legislature Favor.

When the Duluth convention unani-
mOusly Endorsed Senator Nelson for
reelection it expressed the almost
universal sentiment of the republicans
of Minnesota, and probably, if the
truth were known, of every democrat
who puts efficient and earnest service
above party, as many do in these
days when there are no very live is
sues between the parties. That the
action Of the state convention is
legally binding on the republican
members of the state convention no
one contends. That it is morally
binding, however, in default of any
frank refusal to be bound expressed
prior to the last day for filing is quite
clear. AS the Duluth News-Tribune
a few days ago pointed out, ample no.
tice was given that the candidacy of
Senator Nelson would come before
the convention for Endorsement.
Every opportunity was afforded for
those who desired to succeed him to
submit their claims to the party at
the primaries; but no one appeared.
And it may be added that if, in the
many weeks that have elapsed since
the convention, any one had desired
to challenge the action Of the conven-
ton it would even have been proper
for him to induce his followers to put
into the field legislative candidates
pledged to him, provided they frankly
announced their Intentions. That
would put the question as squarely
before the people of any district as it
should be put. But apparently moth
ing Of this kind has been done. Nor
is it likely that, in the three weeks
remaining before the primaries, any
legislative candidates will confess
that they are in the field in the inter-
ests of some particular senatorial
candidate other than Senator Nelson.
But unless any aspirant comes out
into the open promptly he would not
be entitled to the least consideration;
and none in fact can rightfully claim
consideration who failed to declare
himself before the filings closed.
So far as candidates for the legis-
lature are concerned, they were, in
view of the action of the republican
convention and the tacit Endorsement
of that action by the great body of
republicans, morally bound to do one
of two things: either to make gener-
ally known their purpose not to vote
for Senator Nelson in ample time to
permit others to file for nomination
or to vote for Senator Nelson. The
time for fling is now closed, so that
every legislative candidate who failed
to state openly, and to advertise the
fact, that he did not consider himself
bound by the conventions action is
bound by every consideration of fair
dealing to vote for Senator Nelson.
The fact is that it would have a
wholesome effect even in uncontested
districts if the legislative candidates
should, Of their own volition or in
response to a demand, make clear
their Intentions on the senatorial
question. It is desirable in the alb
sence Of any machinery for the direct
election or the direct nomination of
senatorial candidates to afford the
voters chance to express their de-
sires. They can only do so through
the state convention or in the election
of candidates for the Legislature. The
possibility Of eleventh-hour candi-
dates should be eliminated. Such
candidates. too obviously throw open
the doors to men who represent, not
the popular will but personal ambi-
tions or the Vaccinations of some
interest. Whether the campaign of
any such candidate is merely one of
political maneuvering or of cold cash,
success involves, to a greater or less
extent, the bamboozling of the public.
Such tactics certainly lack every ele-
ment OF open and fair dealing so far
as the public is concerned. To close
the doors against this sort of thing,
candidates who fail to volunteer in
formation as to their attitude toward
Senator Nelson should be forced to
declare themselves and should be held
to their pledge.
All this is not so much matter
that concerns Senator Nelson's for
tunes as one that concerns the control
by the voters of the legislature's
choice of senator's. Aspirants for
senatorial honors should be taught
that if their claims are to receive anv
consideration at all they must frankly
submit their candidates. to the voters
of their party.-Pioneer Press.
Gold Near Skibo.
The NeWs-Tribune saws that Josenh