The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-09-19
THE THIRD TERN BOGEY.

Some of the partisan papers are en-
deavoring to make the third term"
an issue in Governor Johnson's can
didacy for reelection.
They assume that there is an in
nate prejudice against the third term
idea, and so they hope to gain favor
for their candidatet by playing on
what they assume to be apopular bias.
However, they are mistaken in their
assumution.
A review Of the notable political
struggles in several neighboring states,
as we'll as in good old Minnesota, will
show that the people entertain no
scruples against the third term when
good men and popular issues are in
volved.
The only office filled by vote Of
the people against which third term
prejudice generally avails is that Of
president Of the United States, and
this is largely due to the example set
by President Washington at a time
when many were skeptical of the eff
cheney of popular government.
It is we'll known to almost every
citizen of Minnesota that the nomina-
ton came to Governor Johnson un-
sought and contrary to his personal
wishes.
f1l, A.S
him rode rough shod over the advice
of its leaders and the wishes of the
governor. It was the voice Of the
people brought from every nook and
corner in the state. It was popular
demand upon Governor Johnson to
once more lead the people, holding
that he owed it to them and to him
self to complete the reform work so
splendidly inaugurated by him as gov
ernor Of Minnesota. I
This was not a new departure for
a Minnesota political convention.
Away back in the eighties Minnesota
had another governor in the person
of John S. Pillsbury, one Of the states
greatest benefa ctors. The people be-
lieved in him. He had served two
terms as their chief executive with
marked success. They liked his style
They admired his work, and they
wanted more Of it. So when his
party convention met he was nom1n-
ated for third term, and the nomin-
alton was ratified by the people with
a larger majority than he had re-
ceived at either Of his proceeding elec-
lions.
In more recent times the people
In adjoining states have paid no at
tention to third term bogies. In Wis
consin that courageous and I'M
daunted champion Of the people,
Robert M. La Follettee, was chosen
for more than two terms in order
that the state might be completely
rlden of corporate influences.
When Mr.. La Toilette was reelected
he had served but one month Of his
third term when he was called to a.
higher station. The lieutenant gov
ernor, Mr.. Davidson, succeeded him
and served the entire term. He was
candidate for a second term and
was reelected, and now he is a can
didate for a third term, and not a
voice is being raised against him on
that account.
Albert B. Cummins, the valiant
champion of tariff reform in Iowa.
was elected three times governor of
that state by an appreciative people
because they knew he had a. work to
do If there was any third term op-
position no one even heard Of it.
So in Minnesota the people will re.
fuse to be deluded by the third term
scare manufactured by the corpora
ton newspapers. The people, and not
the newspapers, had all to do with
Governor Johnson's nomination, and
they will SO to it that he is reelected
to complete the work of Riding this
state of the influences which operate
against good government