Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-03-05
OBSERV ALTO
CONTINUED from Page y
The Eight Hour Law.

r Il
An effort was made to recall the
eight hour law for state employees
from the Governor, who don't want
to either sign or veto the bill, but It
was unsuccessful. It ,is claimed that
the measure will cost the state about:
three-quarters of million dollars In
additional salaries and wages.
The repeal Of the direct primary
or League domination as the alterna-
tive was put squarely up to the men,
bers of the House by the Burnquist
boosters and the agents of the blund-
erbund. The roll call is the answer.
Among the country members who
held out to the end and saved their
credit are Hale, Bendixen and Grant.
They will likely be hereafter classed
with the Bolsheviki.
In the debate in the House on the
Espionage bill introduced by Theo.
Christianson, which Is substantially
the Federal law covering the same
matter, Rep. Siegel told how coun.
ty attorney without naming the county
had admitted to him that he has per-
secuted and prosecuted a man
charged with disloyalty. Rep. Curtis
of Martin county took up the matter
saying that Siegel came down there
to defend a Hun. Intense feeling was
aroused for the moment on both sides
by this statement, Siegel demanding
that the gentleman from Martin re-
tract what he said, which Mr.. Curtis
refused to do.
The Nonpartisan League had moth
ing to do with enacting the state wide
primary law, but it's members are all
in favor of it, so everybody else for that
matter, except the henchmen of the
blunderbund, professional politicians
and certain legislators who thought
that the old party boss controlled sys-
tenn if re-established would divide the
Nonpartisan League and put it out
of business as factor in politics.
When the bill to repeal the direct
primary was made special order for
Feb. Doth, it met so much opposition
that count of noses indicated that it
would be defeated If then pressed to
a vote. A weeks time was therefore
requested for the lobby to get in its
work which seems to have been done
| very effectively. The only House
| member from northwestern Mime
| sofa who voted to repeal the primary
law are Rako of Beltrami, Carlson of
Polk and Sortedahl of Red Lake, all
farmers elected in opposition to Lea
que endorsed candidates. One brief
term of legislative experience is prob
ably all any of them desire-certainly
all they deserve and all they will be
likely to get if they keep up this kind
| of record.
| The fact that farmer-owned weekly
papers that dare to tell the truth with
out fear or favor are being establish
ed in every county and that a great
Daily financed by farmers and work
ing people that will speedily spring
into circulation of 900 copies or
more will soon be launched Is causing
cold chills to creep down the spine
Of the henchmen of the blunderbund
who haunt the legislative corridors,
and makes them mighty uncomfOrt'
able.
| The Legislator elected on a non
party ticket who votes to destroy the
direct primary for alleged party advant
age and then fails to get back under
the party-wing himself surely de-
serves pity. How can he escape the
wrath of a betrayed and indignant
electorate if he should be rash OF
foolish enough to ever file for public
| Office again.