The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-10-31


The Congdon Letter.
A member of the legislature of 10
nd 1911, Hon. Chester A. Congdc
Duluth, in a letter published in t
uluth Herald OF August 26, 10:
aid:
81 discovered that, notwith-
standing all the clamor about
the rule of the interest in Min
nesota, that there is only ono
business enterprise in the state
which makes politics one of It's
business departments and Min
nesota statutes by-product.
"There is only one industry
whose political machine works
every day in the year. There Is
only one commercial organIza-
ton which dares to name our
governors and select our Iegis-
Iators. need not name it. 1t
is known to all men.
at Is a business which has
chiefly to do with the police
power and the criminal laws Of
the state. BY reason of it's char
acter 1t Is Of the highest impor-
lance to its profits that willing
lawmakers and obedient exc
cutors are elected. At present
its test Of legislator is his at
titude on County Option.
"Be that as it may, the ma.
chine exists. Its owners have fire.
quentIy testified to It's efficiency
by truthfuIIy Boosting that it
has elected majority of the
legislature. The seIf-nominated
candidates of the present day
dread to meet 1t. 1t is a power
which must be reckoned with.
Dominating as 1t does our leg
Is lative halls, it is feared by all
who may be affected by Iegisia-
ton. The only fear it has is tho
reduction Of it's profits. In or
der that the volume Of beer sold
may not be reduced it will not
permit laws minimizing road
houses and prostitution. If its
manipulation of legislation is in
dicative of its desires, it would
make profigates of our sons and
prostitutes Of our daughters In
order to enlarge the consump-
ton of it's product. II the iegis-
lative work Of their headquar.
tiers reflects their desire, then.
on the scales Of their conscience
the beer keg outweighs the vlr-
tue OF woman, the honor Of
man, the welfare of all. It re.
sists the efforts of our state sen.
ate to ascertain the ownership
Of saloons and their natural
product, houses of llifame, lest,
If known, there be diminution
Of brewers income.
"Whether the people of Min
nesota exist chiefly for the pur-
pose Of furnishing a market for
beer, or whether they shall gov
ern themselves is to me an Is-
sue which overshadows the
trust question or the tariff ques-
ton, and which makes ridicu-
Ious such political issues as the
advertising Of the resources Of
our state or a more economical
operation of It's machinery"
The report Of the senate commit
NO years ago on its Investigation
re brewery owned saloon" and
feet upon our cities and villag
bowed that out OF ga saloons in t
win Cities, TIP were owned by bre
rs; that 41S buildings occupied by
IONS in these cities were also own
y brewers; that from go to Is (
ent OF the liquor licenses in St. p
nd 40 per cent in Minneapolis 6
aid for by brewers; that blind pig
nd evil resorts are encouraged a
heir existence made possible by the
anne brewers; that their agents a
Ulcers "have sought to control ell
ions and have successfully dictat
fairs Of duty with reference to iQt
raffc."
What the Issues Are.
The Democratic candidate wants
now who it is that this brewers
;anizat1on influences. He calls up
ne to name the men; he charges tt