The Sauk Centre herald., 1919-11-20
SHOULD HOLD ELIMINATION
CONFERENCE

Very soon after the new year the
political pot will begin to boil merrily
in Minnesota. Because 1920 is presi-
dental year it is taken for granted
that party lines will be very closely
drawn between the old parties in ma
tional politics.
In the choosing of candidates for the
state offices this is not apt to be the
case. The Herald is firm believer in
At this time there is not Republican
party organization worthy of the name
in the state. There are multiplicity
af candidates who are even now pass
i've or active aspirants for the head
of the Republican ticket in Minnesota,
Other candidates are said to be in
the process of incubation.
Minnesota is nominally a strong Re
publican state, and there isn't any
good reason why sure enough Re-
ublican should not be elected govern
or in 1920 IF-but there's the rub.
The student of Minnesota politics
must admit that the present chaotic
well for the Socialists at the forth
coming election, UNDER the guise of
the Nonpartisan League. Of course, if
| = majority of the people of this state
want a Socialistic administration,
! >osced over by A. C. Townley, they
should have it. The Herald does not
| FOR one minute believe that a respect
able minority of the citizens of Min
| nesota have any use for Socialism,
hnt unless the Republicans get togeth-
er in some sort of conference, lay all
their political cards on the table, select
| the best man possible, whether one OF
hore considered at the present time
or not, and get back of the winner with
! all their power, Minnesota is mighty
apt to be North Dakotaized.
The Townley entry will file as a
Republican. 1t is even intimated that
one or two of the present avowed Re
publican candidates are playing for
the Townley indorsemet.n However,
the Herald has been quite reliably in
formed that Lindbergh, former Con-
= assman from the Sixth district and
now an out and out Socialist, has de
ndod that he be given another
chance.
Lindbergh made poor race last
year. But conditions have changed
since 1918. The war is over and 10y
atty will not be the battle cry this
wear; there is a closer affiliation be-
tween the radical labor element and
the Townley crowd than there was two
years ago.
The elimination conference should
be held not later than March, 1920.
One of the functions of this confer.
ence should be the enunciation OF a
strong platform of principles. The call
should be given the widest possible
publicity, making snap judgment inn
possible. The candidates going into
the conference should declare that
they will abide by it's declsIon-tnat
they will support the platform enun-
ciated and the candidate for governor
selected.
The average voter probably will have
personal preference for governor,
but they will get behind any man Sc
lected by the conference. If the can
didates now in the field are more in
terested in the welfare of the state
than they are in their political ad-
vancement they will enter this confer
ence whole-heartedly and abide by the
results. If they are not willing to go
into the conference the only thing they
can hope to accomplish is to gum the
cards sufficiently to make the election
OF a Socialist comparatively easy.
, a. M. w.