The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-08-19
Mcknight FOR CONGRESS /
Prominent Duluth Attorney Files for Re-
publican Nomination ias Opposition to
Honorable CIarence B. Miller.

rlomlaeal uuIuta AaoIaeI flieS TOT Ne
publican Nomination ia Opposition to
Honorable CIarence B. Miller.
What for a time looked like a
fluke on the part of honor and truly
progressive republicanism on the
part of eighth district voters has
been given a decidedly different
tinge during the week BY the filing
of Alexander G. Mcknight, a prom
inent Duluth attorneNfor nomina
tion for the congressNnal seat now
occupied by ClareuceAB. Miller.
And recognizing That his entry
into the fray is somewhat late and
realizing that his campaign must
demand immediate attention, Mr.
McKnigh: already shows the brand
of winner by getting acquainted
with voters, having visited various
places in the district and spending
today in this city.
Mr.. Mcknight is an insurgent re.
publican of the stamp receiving the
support and endorsement of voters
throughout the country-the stamp
which insurges at Washington as
we'll as during primary campaign
and in conversation with the En-
terprise scribe outlined his policy
after the following manner:
"The issue in the campaign has
already been made by the people
themselves. Mr.. Miller solemnly
promised the electors that if he was
elected he would vote against Joe
Cannon, if he we're the only one
who did it. He voted for Cannon
He explained in public letter that
he voted against Joe Cannon in the
only place where 1t would have done
any good, to-wit: the republican
caucus. Mr.. Miller construed his
promise to vote against Cannon for
speaker as being a promise to vote
against him in the party caucus.
The electors did not so understand
him when he made the promise; he
did not intend they should 80 un-
derstand him, and there is no rea-
son why, under our Constitution, a
representative of the people in con-
gress should exercise his duties
which he solemnly swears to per
form, other than in the house of
representatives itself. An explana-
tion such as given publicly by Mr..
Miller does not explain.
"Privately, he excused himself by
saying that if he~hadn't done 50 he
couldn't have appointed postmas.
ter even at Culver, and that the
president urged him to vote for
Cannon. 1t is surely sad commen-
tary on our system of representa-.
tive government when man will
violate his solemn pledge in order
that he may distribute few paltry
Offices, or will surrender the high
prerogatives which he solemnly
swears to exercise to the best of hie
ability at the mere solicitation OF
the one who has the general distri.
button of patronage.
"When Mr.. Miller entered the re.
publican caucus he knew that his
vote would not count. The result
was foregone CONCLUSION. If Mr.
Miller did not know it he knew less
than any schoolboy in his district
who takes even perfunctory inter
est in public affairs. Had he chos
en- the path of duty instead of yield
ing to the pressure of patronage
he, with a very few others, might
have prevented the election of Can
non for speaker and have prevented
one of the most disgraceful scenes
in the history of congress, when, fol
several days last March, the speak
er of the house defed the majority
of it. Mr.. Miller certainly votec
right on that historic occasion, bu1
that such an occasion ever arose
can be laid to him and a few of hie
weak-kneed brethren in their &C
tions in the first days of the present
congress.
"1f a man in a campaign takes 3
position simply for the purpose Of
winning, he will recede from tha,
position when the pressure becomes
great enough. If, on the hand, the
position he takes during the cam
paign is the result of positive con
viction, he will stand fast in the evil
day.
"Looking backward to the last
congressional campaign, with the
above observation in mind, can We
guess the motive which underlay
Mr.. Miller's glowing promises?
"On the electors answer to that
question I am willing to submit
my: candidacy"
And there is little question but
the voters will do the rest, as the
stand outlined by Mr.. Mcknight il
entitled to and will receive the re
spect and support of every honora
BILE voter in the district.
Wadaad n IluIuRh