The Sauk Centre herald., 1916-11-02


who was then active in politics, out of
business, and while it was successful
at the time Van is still on the job.
While killing Van off temporarily,
however, it has well nigh killed party
organization in the state.
1t was six years ago, / think, that
Van Lear broke into the game. He
was strong with the working element.
Congress was his objective point, and
while he failed to land, the vote he
received all but gave the big fellows
heart failure. That Minneapolis was
hi bent in Socialistic way was ap-
parent, and without delay the curbing
of it's growth was decided upon. A
"no party" designation was agreed
upon as the best method of disposing
of the problem and bill was intro
duced to that end. How the country
end of the legislative game was
worked to further it's success under
the guise of reform is of history and
how the Twin City press, now so
busily engaged in holding up to ridi-
cule both the statewide primary law
and the nonpartisan law, aided in
boosting, it is well known. To make a
long story short, the act prevailed and
it had it's desired result in Minneap-
oils. Van Lear, however, refused to be
downed and the possibility of his cleo
tion as mayor of Minneapolis on Nov.
7 has the big fellows badly frighten-
ed. No wonder they are busy.
Never in the history of the state
has so much white paper in the shape
of campaign literature been showed
over on the voters. The Republican
state committee is putting out litera-
ture in quantities of about ton day
and the Democratic crowd is not far
behind. In this day and date it is
publicity exclusively and nothing is
overlooked by those interested in the
various candidates in putting plenty
of hot air and argument over. There
is no longer such thing as organiz-
alton and the candidate who would
win must make his name and face
familiar to the voters. Under the
present system it is the publicity ex-
pert, not the organization man.
The state Democratic managers
have practically abandoned efforts in
behalf of Thomas P. Dwyer, their can
didate for governor, and are engaged
exclusively in trying to capture the
state for President Wilson. 1t is con-
sidered an absolute certainty that
Dwyer's election as governor is impos-
sible. That Governor Burnquist will
have a majority of $4,000 is generally
expected and reports from every
county in the state bear out the cla,....
That the religious feature of the po-
litical game, which is figuring in more
than one section of the state, is due
to have nasty airing is pretty near
certain. Some of it, capitol reports
state, approaches closely to blackmail.
According to the story, the headquar-
ters of those interested is in Mime
apolis and the tactics resorted to in
forcing candidates into line are about
the worst ever. That some have fallen
for the game is admitted, but others
are putting up stiff fight and if their
statements are to be accepted the
courts will be called upon, if neces-
sary, to put the whole thing out of
business.
Of course names are impossible,
but one well known state politician
tells of an interview with an alleged
leader of the political religious move
ment which even in the absence of
names and dates is at least interest
ing. 81 was at the headquarters" +"
said this we'll known politician, who
succeeded in plotting to safety one
particular candidate for a state once,
"when l received telephone message
asking me if 1 would give an inter-
view to a certain party at my house.