Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-10-27
O. L. BRANSON FOR CONGRESS
A Strong Clean Brainy Progressive
Republican Asks Your Support.

district because he may, years ago,
have held opinions somewhat at vari-
ance with the progressive policies of
the present time, yet Mr.. Branson's
record proves that he has been pro-
gressive republican longer than some
who are shouting from the house tops.
1t is not SO long ago that Theodore
Roosevelt stumped this state as
vice presidential candidate on the
ticket with William Mckinley, nor
since La Toilette, Cummins, Doliver,
Bristow, Clapp, Bourne and other
noted progressives were proud of
their records as leaders and followers
under the old party banner that led
up to financial and corporate control
of the nation, and none but the Wall
street interests find fault with their
new alignment.
All Of US were good paroy men years
ago and Swore by the "blOOd shirt"
and other endearing names that led
us into the Wall street camp where
we slum bered unconscious of the dan
populist movement opened the eyes
of millions to the dangers that con
frOnted the country, From that time
on the seed sown by the radical re-
publican populists has grown into the
present popular demand for a return
to the republicanism of Abraham
Lincoln. The struggle has been con-
tnuous until within the last eight
years when men like Roosevelt and
La Toilette began to openly aSSail the
combines that were sucking the life
blood of the nation, and the dem ands
of the people have found cham pionS
everywhere. The movement now gives
promise of crowning victory in 1912.
Mr.. Branson is a devoted friend Of
Senator Cummins and has had him at
Mitchell twice for public speech es
since he began preaching his progress
sive doctrine in Iowa, and not only
doctrine taught by Mr.. Cummins but
he was forced to take stand at
Pierre between corporation dictation
and the rights Of the people, and he
boldly stood for the cause of the peo-
pie, and that was before 4he progress
sves had won the state f.1m corpora
tion control. He was threatened with
political run and when that wouldn't
bring obedience to boss dictatiOp, fin
ancial bribery was cunningly placed
before him, but he turned the graft
ers and briberS down cold and fought
the com bine, helping in no small
measure to overthrow the corrupt
bosses who had ruled with an iron
hand since statehood.
Mr.. Branson began life on his
fathers farm full of the ambition
that has made so many farmers boys
prominent in the affairs of The nation
He worked and studied and became
school teacher and then position in
a bank in Kansas gave him the open
ing in profession that suited his
ambition and led to his present posi-
this state, but his love for the farm
never ceased for he owns a fine farm
near Mitchell that is a model in it's
way. He has been successful because
he worked hard, he has won friends
everywhere because of his square deal
policy as citizen and banker, and
to this is due his present popularity
in the state but more especially in
Mitchell and Dawson county, where
he has done so much to make his
home town a modern progressive city
as thousands who attended the corn
palace can testify
Mitchell is city with ambition
and her people are proud of its won
derful growth. All ambitions COM
munities have a desire to share in
political honOrS of national charact-
er. Ydnkton, Canton, Sioux Falls,
Brookings, Huron, Pierre and Dead
wood have enjoyed all tine congress-
ional honors for 40 years, while Mitch
ell has labored early and late to aid
other towns but has never sought
political honors in congress until the
piCoCuC CihlS, hhh CbC peOplc VI m lGCI-
ell and Dawson now ask congressional
honors for one of the best men in the
state, noble hearted, broadminded
citizen.
The LEADER has been firm friend
of the Mitchell candidate for six
years, ever since he refused to do the
bidding of the bosses who dem anded
graft at the hands of the appropria-
tion committee in the senate of which
Mr.. Branson was chairman, and Aug
gust Erie berg of Beresford. another
we'll known progressive, stood solid
with Mr. RranSon in resisting the de-
mands Of the grating bosses, and
that Is why the LEADER considers
him worthy to represent the people
| in congress.
The LEADER does not claim he is
| the best man in the district or more
deserving OF special honors, put the
LEADER believes he will make as
good congressman as any man in
the district, and for loyalty TO the
people we believe he will be as true
as any progressive elected next year.
Branson is all right.