Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1912-05-24

Tic uSISSdIS0 anu LC1IuCI WO1O OfO4~
anxious for scrap. This anti feeling,
plainly in evidence at the convention,
openly commented on among the
groups about the hotel Hobbies and,
evidenced in the refusal of number
of districts to consider any kind Of
an administration endorsement is
generally taken here as responsible
for the governors sudden determine
ton to call a special session of the
legislature for the purpose of passing
a statewide primary law.
j. X =
If statewide primary law is in
flicted on Minnesota, and l use the
word inflicted" with the knowledge
that there are many who firmly and
honestly believe that such a law is
necessary for the salvation of the
North Star state, it will not be because
majority Of the present senate and
house want it. Like you and l they
believe in the theory of the primary
law, but, dear reader, no state as far
as known has been able to enact one
impossible of manipulation by the
minority. For reasons l am at loss
to explain, practicability and the pri-
mary, like oil and water, refuse to
mix. It is a rich mans law. Publicity
is the need of those who seek public
office under It, Merit counts but little.
But away with this pessimistic talk.
| Out Of theory has been evolved many
practical things and there is no reason
why the Minnesota legislature, If not
torn by political and factional differ
ences, cannot by study of statewide
primary laws now in force throughout
the Union give Minnesota something
that it can point to with pride. The
cost may be heavy, but it will be
worth the price. Bets are that the
trouble and that other legislation Will
interfere to make a good primary law
impossible, but all this remains to be
seen. The general public, am OF the
opinion, is not anxious for a special
session of the legislature, but this
will not count for anything if results
are obtained. The public will be quick
to commend If needed and proper laws
are passed.
!. + i.
In the fight for national control Oh
the state and the entrance Of quar-
tette of candidates for the guberpa
torial nomination the Offices OF secre
tary of state, attorney general, state
treasurer and railroad and warehouse
commissioner have been lost sight of
They will be very much in the lime
light though If statewide primary
law passes, and already some of the
present incumbents are fearful re
garding their standing If such shoul<
happen. Attorney General Lyndon A
Smith has all along been threatened
with rival in the person Of Repre-
sentative Thomas Kneeland, an sttol
, ney of Minneapolis, but the threat
ened opposition 80 far has not bee
, regarded as likely to put the preseu
attorney general out Of the running
{ l., A. Smith has a statewide acQualn
!, apce and it publicity as claimed 10 on
} Of the necessary qualifications Nnde
O primary law then he has plenty {
It. It was limited at the state CONVEX
! ton Friday that Rosseau count
y man would go after the scalp Of Sex
: rotary of State Schmahl If there
: an official better known in Minnesot
+ than Mr.. Schmahl he will have to 6
i some. julius has been in public lif
! almost since he wore knee breeche
a His scalp has been sought more tina
Q once, but he always seems to Ian
t feet up. Commissioners Elmquist an
9 Mills of the railroad department ar
/ seeking reelection. Whether a pr
t mary law would cripple their chance
3 remains to be seen.
4 = =. :.
e spoke Of a quartette of candidate
4 for the job of Republican standar
n bearer, but it looks as if the lii
l. would have an addition within anotI
S er week or so. Former Attorney Gel
! eral E. T. Young, late of Yello
l. Medicine county but now of st. Pau
b is said to have the bee and friend
J. hint that he will be in the game
l. the proper time. st. Paul papers hay
s been saying nice things about the 70
o mer attorney general and it lool
e pretty much as if he will have the
, support should he get into the rae
Mr.. Young essayed the leadership
: his party four years ago, but had
4 ciUo WaV RI Tho dam ando for