The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-04-13

Inc political mills are beginning to
grind out the usual grist of candi-
dates for public office. The nom
partisan law gives men of all, shades
of political belief an opportunity to
get into the game without disclosing
their party affiliations; and St. Louis
county voters have learned long ago
to seek first the man without respect
to his PARTISAN tctaims.s- - 60
Strict tyr1nenssh have. it'll ess regard
for the present. system OF : Choosing
county officers and nembers4of the
legislature,.~.:.It does not permit: them
to manipulate nlattersssas they .-Unce
did. Under: the old sytem Democrats
were outlawed' in St. Louis county.
They had nothing to say as to- who
should represent them at the,--court
house. or in:the legislature. The hon
est Democrat could vote only in the
Democratic primary, knowing full
we'll that. his party nominee stood no
show of election. The Republican
nomination was equivalent to an cleo
ton, and frequently but 60 per cent
of the voters in this county at. the
Republican primaries decided the fate
Of aspirants for county offices. =.
It is not SO now. Every man must
stand on his own bottom. It makes
little difference, to the voters whether
the candidade believes in free silver
or free trade, a, high protectiye tariff
or compulsory military training, so
long as he appears to be competent to
fill he:office. Honesty, character
and ability are the requisites, and one
who does. not possess these qualities
might as well save his money and
keep out Of the game.
1t is expected there will be some
merry contests for county offices and
for the legislature from this county,
both at the primaries and in the No.
vember election. Two hot contests
over the offices of sheriff and auditor
are promised. They will be bitter
contests fraught with personalities,
and they will occupy the center Of the
political stage until the last vote is
counted the day after election.
Five For Sheriff.
Five strong men have been talked
OF for sheriff., and, II they all enter
the race it will require good guessing
to pick the winners for the nominal
ton. Sheriff Meining has not publicly
announced his candidacy. His friends
declare he will file in a few days.
out OF the game and will not be a
candidate for reelection. Mr.. Mem
ing is not without strong support. He
handled the I. w: w. strike in 1916 not
to the liking OF the iron interests, and
he is therefore said to be persona non
grata to the Wolvin building:
Walter johnson, who made such an
ago, has decided to give gs the he wh aeei
another whirl. Walter is a hale fell
low we'll met, who makes friends and
holds them. Since the last campaign
he has been busy extending. his ac-
Quaintance, and he is receiving many
assurances of support from every Sec
ton OF the, county which lead him to
believe that he stands mighty good
chance OF election. When he enters
the race. his opponents will find they
have fight coming. Mr.. Johnson has
spent his life OF 40 years in St. Louis
county. He has a. splendid line OF
hackers, consisting largely Of his fell
OF them will take of his coat for Wal
ter and work for him untiringly until
the last vote shall have been cast. Mr.
Johnson is member OF the Theatre
ocal Stage Employees union, and. a
union man of long standing.
A Courageous Fighter.
Paddy Mcdonnell, the wel!-known
Duluth contractor, has already filed
old school. His acquaintance extends
to every corner of the county. There
is not a lumber jack. railroad worker,
teamster, blacksmith, employer or en-
ployee that does not know him. He
has taken part in many campaigns and
has spent. his money freely for the
success OF others in political life. This
is his first experience in trying for
office, but he is not novice as a
fighter. He enters the campaign in
earnest, and is receiving many liberal
offers Of support from the several Sec
tons OF the county.
i Bob McKercher has been frequent
ly spoken of for sheriff, and in all
probability will become a candidate
He has felt out large number of
people and has received encoura gemen;
from many sources. Bob has warm
friends and bitter enemies, like all
strong men, and he would make the
run ii he can be convinced that the
game is worth the play.
Frank Magee, former deputy sheriff
who finished second in the race four
years ago, is willing to make another
stab for the big job. Mr.. Magee is
meeting with encouragement in his
preliminary campaign. and will be
large, extent: His long experience in
he enjoys of the judges Of the distric,
court and the lawyers make him a
formidable candidate. !
So with this galaxy of contestants
the voters Of the St. Louis county are
promised a show for their money at
the June primaries. Go to 1T boys, and
- s.~. q