Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-03-31
NONPART|SAN HOUSE
IS BEST B IN HISTORY
Many Thinking and |ndepen'
dent Men Few Blind
Followers.
(For Tribune by G. ]. Buell.)

A NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATURE
The Minnesota Legislature Of 1916
is probably the first and only non.
partisan legislature that ever met in
any state in the Union.
| No member of this Legislature was
elected because he was a Republican
Democrat, a Prohibitionist, a Social.
list, or a Progressive.
His party politics had probably very
much less to do with his election
than the church he belonged to.
Each candidate had to make his
canvass for votes on his personal
character and fitness and upon the
things he stood for.
OF the One-hundred and thirty mem
bers Of the House, about Thirty have
voted the Democratic ticket with
more or less regularity, tho several
of them would not admit to a yery
strong party feeling.
Two are party Prohibitionists, two
are Socialists. There are probably
several who voted for Roosevelt, and
a number of very independent Repub
licans, several of whom are great ad
mirers of President Wilson, and prob
ably voted for him.
On the whole the House Members
probably reach higher level of in.
telhgence, honesty, sincerity, indie
pendence and devotion to their ideals
and what they regard as their duty
to their constituents, than any other
Legislature that has ever met in the
State. This is largely due to the fact
that no one could wave the party ban.
ner and secure votes because of his
pretended belief in Jefferson or Jack.
son, or Lincoln or Roosevelt.
Practically every great question
that comes before the Legislature has
one side that is fundamentally demo
cratic, progressive and right; the
other side undemocratic, reactionary
and wrong.
What could be more Fundamentally
democratic and right than to refer
great and important questions 70 the
people?
THE BIG ISSUE.
| The one great issue in the cam.
paign of 1914 was the question OF
County Option.
Perhaps next to this was the de-
mand of the people for economy in the
appropriations, the looping off of use.
less officers and boards, and the cut.
ting out Of useless expenditures.
| The repeal Of the ElweH Road Law
was an important issue in the rural
districts of the State, and the tele
phone bill that Eberhart vetoed two
years ago was so popular that nc
member was elected to oppose it, the
only contests in the House being over
questions Of minor Importance.
NO LEADERS.
The House has been criticised fol
lack Of leadership.
But It there are no recognized lead
ers there are no blind followers.
It is true no man can lead this
House unless by an appeal to thei,
sense of right and justice. An ap
peal to partisan prejudice is of nc
use. In fact the member who should
attempt to make such an appea
would find himself going alone with
out followers.
There are strong men in the House
able men, but they can't wind any ont
about their fingers, very much.
The ablest and broadcast minded
men are from the rural districts; 81
also are some of the narrowest an(
weakest.
There is too much tendency among
the country members to let the City
delegations settle all questions that
are supposed to be City affairs.
Now some Of these supposed City
Questions are fundamental For in
stance: The so-called Nolan Bill
which Eberhart vetoed two years ago
It goes to the very root Of self gov
eminent. Its purpose is to give al
other cities control over their locaI