Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1909-01-22
SCHEME
Comment by Leading Re
publican Paper Of Sixth
District

st. Cloud journal Press, under the
title of "Dlsorganizing Innovation, -
says:
Congressman Lindbergh is either a
very wise statesman, or poor
politician Possibly he is both
He has introduced an innovation in
the selection OF postmaster at his
home city, Little Falls. he wants
the people to vote on the various
candidates at the spring election,
the one' receiving the most votes
to receive his endorsement and the
appointment. While this has a catchy
look on the face Of it, there are few
objections that are worth considera.
tlon.
Mr. Lindbergh owes his election to
the republicans Of the dlstrict-tirst
for the primary nomination and
second for the election. He has had
the opposition Of democratic op.
ponent at both elections. He IS also
responsible to the people as congress
man, and in the natural course of
events will be a most efficient servant
of the people-the more influential the
longer he remains in congress.
Anything that will tend to bring
about dlsc0ntent within his own
party. and which might result IN his
retirement from congress- would there
| fore be against the best interests of
| the people. 1t would mean the dis
placjn, Of one prepared by experience
to best serve the people for one with
out his training-and which makes
new congressman of comparatively
little influence in congress-
I There IS nothing to prevent the
election OF a democrat as postmaster
of Little Falls-and one of Mr.. Lind
bergh's political opponents-a man
who would use his influence and spend
part of his salary in opposing Mr..
Llndbergh for reelection.
Mr.. Llndbergh ought to he able to
select in his own city proper man
for postmaster, and thus save all this
bitterness and bad blood that will
result from bitter fight. The man
who is selected In an open contest. be
he republican or democrat. would feel
| no obligation to either Congressman
/ Lindbergh or his party, and would
consider his election the result of his
own popularity, which would probably
be true.
| A few such postmasters in the dis
tr1ct would have disorganizing
effect. The time will come when Mr..
Lindbergh will need some good
| fighting friends for himself and his
party. If he evades all responsibility
in disposing OF the favors at his dis
posal, what particular claim has he on
any republican to work for him !?
When the contest comes. he will find
! that the democrats will be against him
even if half OF the postoffces in his
; district have been captured by them.
Already at Little Falls, it we are to
credit the reports coming from that
city, they are charging HIM with
cowardice. and desire to get away
from his political promises. This IS
probably an injustice to him, and we
are not questioning the purity Of his
motives, but only pointing out one of
the results of his policy.
Up at Alexandra there was a
vacancy in the Office of postmaster.
Some half dozen popular men began
circulating petitions, and started a
warm fight. Word was wired to
Senator Knute Nelson and In a couple
of hours the appointment was made,
and the Office was given to man who
had not been candidate. The selec-
tlon was wise one, and everybody
was satisfied, and commended Senator
Nelson on heading off the conflict.
The late Nelson Dingley. who was
for years a leader in congress re-
presenting a Nine district some
twenty years, and up to the time of
/ his death sometimes settled postoffice
troubles by letting the republican
voters decide as between the two
leading republican candidates. But
Mr.. Lindbergh's proposition is so
wide open that it permits the success
of his political enemies, and deprives
! his party of whatever advantage there
may be in federal positions.
| This is government of parties.
The candidate of any party should
protect its interests, and organization
IS necessary. Any plan that will
bring about disorganization, is not a
good thing for the party, and when
the reckoning comes, the representa-
tive who is responsible for that dis
organization Is the one to suffer.
The congressman or senator who has
Offices to dispose of will be wise to
select the best men he can find, and
then have the appointments made with
promptnees. He certainly ought to
nave among his friends as capable men
as there are among his personal or
political enemies.
We like Nh. Lindbergh and want to
see him continued as congressman
where he could serve his district with
greater and greater efficiency year by
year. But we do not like his scheme.
and tor the principal reason that 1t
spells his defeat in the near future,
and perhaps also the overthrow of his
party in this district. .
THAYER LEAVES MONEY FOR
=. III DAVIS MONUMENT.
| The first step toward erecting a
monument to the memory of Senator
Cushman K. Davis in the state of
Minnesota. has developed.
Samuel Thayer, for many years a
resident of Minneapolis. and one of
Sanator DAVIS closest personal friends,
died last week in Rochester, N. Y.