The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-08-22
Expect to Gain by Republican
Dissension.
RlhGDAL IS AFTER VOTES
Platform Of the Organization Candi-
date for Governor a Re-
markabIe Document.
Especial Correspondence

st. Paul, Aug. 19.-The state De-
mocracy will 90 into the campaign this
year in the best condition it has been
IN since the death of the lamented
johnson. In fact it might be said
that a decade has not seen the un-
washed in more harmonious shape.
Three terms of Johnson was due to
the fact that John A. Johnson was the
candidate, fact more than apparent
when he departed this life, but this
time 1t is a thoroughly united party,
the prospects of a ticket free from
any internal dissension and q divided
house on the other side of the fence.
II Democracy does not make a sub
stantlal showing this year then it's
future hopes are slim. Minnesota is
Republican state, at least always
has been when the national test was
applied-50,0 normal the best post
ed say-but it is in a bad shape this
year and if the arguings of the wise
ones are to be accepted most anything
can happen this fall. They hope, how
ever, for the best and believe that
when the faith is put to the test it
will stand firm and undivided. It is
this unstable condition, though, that
appeals to the Democratic leaders
and it is responsible for the ticket
that is being compiled with care and
the harmonizing feature that is ap-
parent throughout the ranks of the
unWashed. Frequently the rumor is
sent broadcast that National Commit
teeman Fred B. Lynch, who will un-
doubtedly be selected to lead the
party in the fight, and Frank A. Day,
the former Democratic dictator, have
broken; that R. T. O'Connor, the St.
Paul boss, has a knife up his sleeve
and that Hennepin county leaders are
at each others threats, but don't you
believe it. There is a working agree
ment all down the line and it is being
strengthened with the days. The dis
gruntled are being weeded out and
united front prepared for the enemy.
:. !. :.
II evidence was necessary to sub
stantiate the victorious hopes and
plans of the unwashed it is found in
the so called platform and statement
issued last week by P. M. Ringdal,
the organization candidate for gov
ernor. It is a document that is thor
oughly remarkable John Lind the
patron saint of the party in Mime
sofa, could not have done better.
Lacking that quality which the world
styles mixing" somewhat distant on
first acquaintance, but above it all
showing an honesty of purpose that
cannot be questioned, the Democratic
organization candidate would on first
thought be accepted as about the
limit in the way of extremes, yet his
statement does not bear out this i'm
preston. Just note: 81 propose that
the initiative and referendum be made
the foremost issue at the coming cam.
paign." Il pledge myself to the prin-
ciple, also the recall, reapportionment
and a public utilities commission"
Nothing about liquor, the rock upon
which Jim Gray met political death
two years ago; no railing at corpora
lions; no tonnage tax, in fact nothing
that would embarrass Throughout
one could infer, but that was all. The
whole thing was as mastery a docu-
ment as has been issued in many
days. 1t simply showed what Demcc-
racy is striving for-the votes of that
growing number who want progress
and not upheaval Governor John
sons success lay in tempering agrees
s1veness with caution and it looks
pretty much as if Ringdal, the Popu-
list hero of the eighties, was prepar-
Ing to follow suit. Between you and
[, dear reader, the whole thing is not
bad proposition and honestly I
would not be at all surprised if the
Republican nominee for governor,
whoever he may be, will have bad
session combating it.
:. :. !.
Emanating from rival headquarters
and given publicity in publications
known to be unfriendly to his candi-
uacy, the rumored desertion of Sam
Y. Gordon by his manager, James A.
Martin, the withdrawal of important
financial support and the retirement
Of the Browns Valley man from the
field would naturally be accepted as
one of those things characteristic of
the average campaign, hut at the
same time little things have come up
of late that lend substantiation to at
least part of the story. Sam is not
going to withdraw, I have his word
tor that, but the continued absence of
James A. Martin from the Gordon
headquarters indicates that something
IS wrong. There also Las been a ces-
bation of activities in the working end
OF Mr.. Gordon's headquarters. From
the start the lieutenant governor has
been credited with the backing of
Representative Congdon, a millionaire
resident Of Duluth, and the knowledge
that Mr.. Gordon is not overly en-
dowed with this worlds goods has
lent strength to the rumor, but there
has been nothing to show that the