Morris tribune., 1914-01-16
Common Sens in PaIitics

We hardly congratulate Mr.. James A. Peterson,
who announced that intends be candidate for
governor, on his logic. 'There has heen' he says,
considerable talk throughout state by we'll meaning
that Of conference should be held that
only one candidate would be in the field against the
present governor
1--WE cannot afford to sacrifice any principle for
mere victory the polls There is greater question
involved in this fight than the elimination of Mr.
Eberhart from politics The big question involved is the
undong of the political machine backed by certain
predatory interests which have ruled this for years.
The people of Minnesota have been given direct prm
airy that they shall be the select the candi
date. Any abridgement of the primary election law
would in my opinion, be fraught with danger and
would be going back to old methods. If to
have elimination of machine politics in Minnesota it
must be done by the people"
The law presumes that men are gifted with common
sense and candidates with little patriotism. It's
purpose not to give office seekers opportunity
establish themselves but afford the people the means
governing the 1t has been possible in the past
for candidates for Office defeat that purpose There
now every indication that they bent pursuing
certain result in defeating it again Experience
seems to have taught those who ambitious nothing
The sefshness of individuals bids fair again render
abortive the purpose for which the law enacted
IT, Mr. Peterson says the big question involved il
the undong of the political machine backed by certain
predatory interests that have ruled the for
clearly the thing of sense. practical men, should
strive do, is try and find way in which they
can the machinery the law puts into their hands
accomplish that purpose If everybody. like Mr..
Peterson who become governor insists in rush
ing into the field nothing mundane is certain
than that, instead of undoing the machine they will
be undone by it Mr. Peterson may note that the mach
inc and the predatory interests aren't making such fools
of themselves. They backing for fight to
the finish.
There is nothing sacred about the direct primary
law. There Is something worth while only about the
principle behind it of Let the people rule If through
the eshness the laundering of Office seekers this prn
cpIe continues be asde the is repealed
and law enacted through which the peoples wishes
be attained the better condition should not be per-
mtetd continue exist by which, taking advantage
the opportunity the law gives to candidates to exploit
themselves compact minority seize and continue tc
hold the reigns of government.
Mr. Peterson may imagine that he is about to sway
the state and bring everybody ocking his standard
the utter neglect of rivals who profess the
sive faith. Disinteresred Observers however will moi
anticipate that result With him and lverson and Lee
and Elwe and perhaps others in the field, they will ex.
pec to see the progressive vote split up that Eber
harris denomination will be forgone conclusion and they
are not likely be disappointed Mr.. Peterson may
talk till he is black in the face about the danger of in
terferng with the right of the people select candidate
under the direct primary law but everybody knows
the only way insure the nomination of the candidate
majority of the people want is to limit the field. Thai
be done and done only when candidates are willing
sacrifice personal ambition the principles they profess
And really if they unwilling to do this the cleo
on of any of them is not thing need exercise him
self greatly to bring about The candidate who is ready
to sacrifice the he processes have rather
than consent that rival of the faith shall be it,
banner bearer snot likely to consider greatly the welfare
of the state if it interferes with his own.
We entirely disagree with Mr.. Peterson in the con
cuson that conference of progressive Republicans
who their candidate shall be is not desirable Their only
hope of attaining any practical result is through an
Iderstandng to support for governor. i
may of course in view of the persistence of candidates
who profess to be progressive, be impossible
centrate man., If this proves to be the cas
the thing to do will to submit the inevitable
The News for will find it hard work up any en-
husiasm for candidate. whatever his professions may
be- who refuses adopt the only through which
in opposition to the candidate of the machine
the predatory interests who so abhorrent to Mr.
Peterson. Mortified News
Eddyisms From Sank Centre Herald