Morris tribune., 1914-11-20
HAVE WE GONE TOO FAR?

of the republican candidate for governor
1t may. however, be of importance DISCUSS the
fact that party organization in this state has become nil
At this time there is such thing party in this
state-nether republican democratic.
A party cannot exist without definite program, an
avowed platfol m and clearly defined principles
Under the laws of this state, as they are there
representative body entrusted with the power of
formulating party platform.
There is no opportunity provided for the party ad
herents to get together and deliberate that
may be confronting the electorate and consequently
opportunity for any party officially before the people
it's aims and intentions.
For decade past the dsntegraton of political parties
has been going on this and the work of party de-
struction seems now to be well-nigh completed
The causes that have led this state of affairs
varied There is doubt that at time party sent
ment ran high in this state and that frequently the
selection of party candidates for Office not carefully
made as might have been
In this state as elsewhere, have been elected to
Office because they carried the party label
This has always been productive of the best results
certain of independent voting is essential.
But of late years the pendulum has swung to the op
poste extreme of the and have practically
parties.
Our primary law and non partisan election law
have done away with parties in this state altogether
1t is of public sentiment expressed through
legislative enactment having gone from extreme to
the other
But there is middle grounnd.
There is path of safety, path along which the
political conservative and the political progressive
walk side by side they united honest effort for
rood
But that path is the path os partyof united support
for definite policy.
The government of this country essentially party
government.
Every representative government is party govern
ment. ~ fl
We need political parties for the purpose of fomuat-
ing policies. for the purpose of giving the
electorate opportunity express opinions pro and
con on the issues that may be up for consideration.
party platform should be pledge held sacred by
the party promulgating it and when party fails per-
form according its platform it should forfeit the sup
port of the people, for the accomplishment of the
best results we pares-and we must hold them
responsible.
AS we said above there is no such thing as party
in Minnesota today.
| Under the present Minnesota system men, run for
Office backed by their ambition and representing their
notions instead of being brought out by body of ct
zens joined in effort to promulgate certain
In this numerous individuals representing as
many varying political notions thrust themselves upon
and the latter forced pick from among this
aggregation of sef-seected candidates.
The state needs to get some basis where there is
united party action back of the candidacy of those
seeking Office. den6ite program to the policy
to be pursued aud less whimsical condition of mind
politically speaking.
By entirely doing away with party the foodgates
have been let down and the swept by fads and
that befudde the political mind and give every
thinker an opportunity to air his pet scheme.
There is a far cry from hide bound party loyalty to
political chaos which follows in the wake of party
destruction. #>| -
Political history shows that every representative form
of has best succeeded when its affairs have
the hands of strong political parties with we'll
fined plans the administration of the business of
state @ ~ SO
All great achievements in the political history
nations have been brought about by assocating
themselves together for the purpose of accomplishing
certain object + = q sa@ 'AoA&1
A party is union of those who hold similar views
on some certain subject, or class of subjects.
Party is concentration of effort
4 1t is union of forces
We hold brief for the kind of partisanship that
would stand by party right wrong The Individual
should determine for himself whether his party pro-
poses and puts forward men the success Of
which would rebound to the benefit of the common