Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1912-09-06
CANDIDATE FOE RAILROAD COM
MISSIONER SAYS HE WAS
DOUBLE CROSSED

To Minnesota Democrats:
In submitting to you my candidacy
for nomination as railroad commission.
er,I find myself in unexpected circum.
stances.
In the new method Of direct nomina-
tions the people express their choice
free from the boss-driven machinery of
the convention system: It is right that
candidates and politicians should be
frank with the people, play the game
known. I
I am democrat Of the kind that has
always stood four-square on the Bryan
platforms, and felt keen interest in
the success of the party in this pro-
pressive year. Shortly before the last
day for filing I decided to become a
candidate if conditions were favorable.
There were, as yet, no candidates for
railroad commissioner, I heard that J.
j. Reiter was likely to file for the
four-year term, but there seemed to be
no prospective candidate for the 9th
er term. I did not want to get into a
contest for the nomination. While I
have always had g. keen interest in
public matters and had some early
political experience, had not been en-
gagged in state politics, was satisfied to
continue in the ranks, yet was dis
posed to get into the campaign as a
candidate if I could be of service.
Among those whom asked for in
formation was F. B. Lynch, national
committeeman. was toAd by him he
knew Of no one else likely to become
candidate for the six-year term, and
he advised me to file as candidate.
Other inquiries showed no candidate
in view, and did 50, filling a place on
the ticket that had gone begging.
That was Saturday noon, August
oath. On Monday, the Goth, Mr.. Lynch
and Chairman DAILY Of the retiring
state committee asked me to withdraw,
so that John Gaynor of Litchfeld,
might file and get the nomination with
out contest. Meanwhile, my candidacy
had brought assurance Of support from
many democrats in the twin cities, and
outside, and I did not see why I
should make myself appear so vacillat-
ing as to withdraw on the next bust
ness day after fling; yet Mr.. Lynch
and Mr.. Daily urged me to withdraw as
candidate for railroad commissioner
and to become a candidate for state
treasurer against Mr.. Bibb Of Mime
apolis, or for lieutenant governor
against Mr.. King of Deer River. They
said they would "get behind me'' and
would "put me over.' I declined to
become a party to that arrangement,
saying that would not begin a fight
for nomination, although I could not
help it if one was started against me.
After that, Messrs. Lynch and DAILY,
as I am told, prevailed upon Mr.. Cay
nor to be candidate against me.
Thus, fellow democrats, I find that
my candidacy is opposed by one who
assumes the authority and power to
dictate the democratic state ticket
Since I filed as candidate an eastern
paper has called Mr.. Lynch sthe boss
of the democrats of Minnesota Per
haps he is. did not know it when
became a candidate, and perhaps it is
not known to Minnesota democrats
Mr.. Lynch and I have been friends
personally, and in business, but I will
not obey the orders of of boss.
! I became candidate believing that
[ would complete the ticket acceptably
to my acquaintance and to the party
leaders. Unexpectedly I find myself
running against the plans of a few
who propose to decide on the state
ticket, and I am marked for defea
accordingly. It is not important wheth
er one man or another fills an office
but it is important that the voter
should know that the political boss i
still at hand, and while the convention
system has been discharged in the hop,