The Mankato free press., 1912-06-28

OF matters or puDllC interest IN
which people engage when they
meet. ~ t
Nov, what I wish to point out in
this connection is the advantage this
league may enjoy by making use Of
the country press in giving publicity
to the result of its investigations
and in enlisting it's cooperation in
the work in which it is engaged.
Speaking for my own paper, and in
doing that I believe ] express the
sentiment of the press generally,
would gladly give place in the col
umns of The Mortified News to
might wish to give publicity.
would welcome any suggestion from
the league which | could properly
make the subject of editorial com
ment ! would be only too glad to
avail myself of any data it might
be in a position to furnish on any
subject which would have tend
ency to help the development of
this section. Take the matter of
railroad rates, for instance, what is
needed on that subject is more
knowledge of the determinations
which retard progress in Southern
Minnesota and of the excessive
charges often imposed on the ship
pers and receivers of freight In or
der to secure the reforms to which
the league is pledged, it is not
enough that it should be in the
possession of the informa ton bear
ing on this subject. In some way
ho 10
property, arouse public sentiment,
and bring pressure to bear on the
peoples representatives Ito the end
that needed reforms may be effect
ed. To give circulation to such in
formation, and to mould such public
sentiment, l assert, without fear of
contradiction, that there is no medi-
um either so willing or SO effective
as the country press
Mr.. Roe contended that The coun-
try press was necessity in that
it combatted the baneful influence
of the metropolitan press which he
claimed is directed toward the coun
try The country press is making
a heroic fight for equitable freight
rates and representation in the
legislature that will not give the
larger cities the advantage over the
rural districts. The country press
needs to be strengthened so that it
can uphold the country's cause. The
press and the league can cooperate
in all matters which mean for the
upbuilding of the country towns and
rural districts. The press is always
loyal to those whom it serves.
Regarding immigration.
Spurgeon Odell. the well-known
banker Of Marshall, spoke on "The
Effect of the League Upon Immi-
grafton After calling attention to
changed conditions in this country,
due to the fact that people are ex-
ercising Independent thought, and
referring to the progress in civiliza-
ton, Mr.. Odell said:
"This organization is another eff
fort to obtain justice, equality be-
fore the law; a protest against
privilege and entrenched wrong.
And before entering upon what this
organization may do for immigra-
ton, let me kindly suggest that,
first we must get organized. We
must here and today, decide upon
place an organizer in the field. A
man upon a salary, honest, capable
and fluent, one who can go from
county to county and by his energy
and eloquence compel the inert
counties to come into the organiza-
ton. If we do not, a year will
slip away and not more than half
the counties named will have come
into the organization. This action
is imperative to complete and make
effectual the work before us. Then,
through the machinery of the coun-
ty and local organizations, we can
circulate literature among the vOt-
ers that will acquaint them with the
measures which so vitally affect
their material welfare.
Legislator Must Have Support.
''The legislator must have the in
telligent support of his entire con-
stituency if his measures of legis-
lation are to become effectual. The
voter must not only know that he is
voting for clean and capable leg
islator, but he must know what he,
the voter, wants in the line of leg
islation and keep in touch with his
representative. .. -.. ...........
without this relation between
voter and representative, desirable
legislation is easily repealed by the
legislature. The real and
only power is with the people and it
is our business, as an organization,
to acquaint them with their best
interests. .... ..-
"It is for the purpose of getting
the electorate thoroughly acquainted
with their best interests that we
are establishing this league. 1t is to
acquaint them by word of mouth,
public meetings, the local press and
pamphleteering, with the eastman
bill and the constitutional amend
nlents or any other matters of i'm
portance. We must make every vot-
er know the iniquity of discriminat-
ing freight rates, how it effects
him individually and how it affects
the community. He must be ac
quainted with all the needs of his
locality and Southern Minnesota
when this is accomplished, how
will the organization effect immigra-
ton to Southern Minnesota? Is It'll
necessary to enumerate when the
people rule? The outgrowth will be
legislation that will secure proper
stopoyer privileges to homeseekers.
the enactment of the eastman bill
and many others not necessary to
here. But the passage of
the measures named will make It
possible for such places as Luverne,
4, ;,,r |