The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-12-13

seen. 1t can be safely predicted, how
ever, that all will not be smooth sail
ing. Hennepin county has too many
discordant political elements for any
political organization, good or bad, to
succeed. Here's wishing success, how
ever.
This is without authority of the
state legal department but the story
was current about the state capitol
this week that Attorney General
Smith would rule that the State
Safety Commission is without author
ity in the matter of a general closing
up of saloons in the state. Revoca-
ton of liquor licenses in individual in
stances, it was said, could be done, but
not in any wholesale way. Since the
commission was appointed it has been
the recipient of thousands of petitions
pleading for a dry Minnesota and of
late the call has assumed the pro-
portions of a general crusade. The
w. C. T. U. is said to be behind ma
jority of the petitions.
Representative Bendixen of Red
wood county is generally accepted as
candidate for place on the state
railroad and warehouse commission.
Friends this week brought to the state
capitol the news that Representative
Bendixen had practically announced
his candidacy and that he would file
for the Republican nomination shortly.
Mr.. Bendixen's rival will undoubted-
ly be Fred Putnam of Red Wing, who
succeeded C. E. Elmquist of Chisago
county and who resigned to go to
Washington. Mr.. Putnam is an un-
known. Though the state railroad
and warehouse commission is one of
the largest of the state departments
it is steadily slipping in point of i'm
portance. The interstate commerce
commission has encroached heavily on
its railroad prerogatives and the COM
plete extinction Of it's warehouse and
grain activities is threatened through
federal control. The only thing left
is the supervision of telephone COM
panies and telephone service in the
state.
Quite few eyes are conferred on
the third congressional district where
a movement has been started to get
the official scalp of Congressman
Davis. The scheme was launched at
a meeting of third district men held
IN st. Paul week ago during the
holding of the big Northwest Loyalty
meet. Senator Harry Weis of LIE
Sueur has been mentioned for the
place, but when in the city few days
ago Senator Weis refused to show an,
interest. Senator George Sullivan of
saltwater is picked by some and
others have in mind Senator A. J.
kockne of Zumbrota. It is known
that Congressman Davis will refuse to
retire. He is credited with a strong
organization, but it may not be heavy
enough to put him over in the face
OF the opposition now being shown.
Is democracy flirting with the Non
Partisan League? Such is generally
believed in certain circles and sew
eral even 60 so far as to say that
scheme of absorption of this new DO
htlcal unit is now under consideration.
1t is known that at a recent meeting
OF national Democratic heavy weights
the progress of the League was com,
mented upon and friendly connected
advised. Townley, the League head, is
now in Washington and is said to be
engaged in trying to reach the high
er ups. In Dakota the League is in
absolute charge as far as political and
official life is concerned but it is not
SO strong in Minnesota. Here its
growth has been somewhat retarded
by alleged disloyal acts on the part
OF some of it's promoters. The
League is also trying to gain a foot
hold in other western states, but
like Minnesota it's progress has not
been up to League expectations.
MANY prospective subscribers have
protested the SIG infection which is
feature of the organization.
When the next legislature convenes
it will be to face a heavy demand
from a large number of northern
counties, the treasures of which have
been hard hit by wolf bounty claims.
Much of the demand will be in the
way of deficit. The last legislature
provided for wolf bounty deficit
covering previous years, but his ex-
eellency the governor gave it the of.
fetal veto. Many counties have re-
fused to pay bounty claims in thu
absence Of the legal state aid. AS {
result timber wovles are said to be
on the increase.
CAUGHREN THEATRE.