The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-03-06
STATELEADERS
| REPUBLICAN
PARTY SEEM
T0BE0PP0SED
Smoldering Embers Break
Forth in Flame in St. Paul
and Minneapolis
CHARGES AND COUNTER
CHARGES ARE HURLED
Governors View Sent Broad
cast Throughout Minnesota
to State Press
CHARGES AND COUNTER
CHARGES ARE HURLED

1t would seem, from lengthy ac-
counts in the Twin City papers, that
all is not exactly harmonious in re-
publican ranks of the state, and in
explanation of the situation from his
view point, Governor BurnQuist sends
out to the state press, the following,
herewith given as considered OF in
terest to various political adherents
in this part Of the state, and also
readers Of the Pioneer:
I'm view of the attacks in the press
from time to time rejecting upon the
State Republican organization and its
present chairman, feel l owe to the
people of the State to show the ami
mus back OF these attacks and the
reasons why they are being made by
these responsible therefor.
"A certain few in Minneapolis are
mainly responsible for this situation.
They constitute the Smith-Carpenter
faction, consisting Of E. E. Smith,
who was a former chairman of the
state committees; FredeH. Carpenter,
of the F. II. Carpenter Lumber COM
pany, and A. A. D. Rain, vice presi-
dent of the Shevlin Carpenter Lumber
company, all members of the State
Central Committee, but none OF whom
were selected for their positions by
the present governor.
. Opposition Scored.
"These men have been and are
anxious to get control of the politics
Of this state. Their policy has come
to be one Of rule or ruin. They we'll
know that the attitude OF the present
admin istration has been and is one
of independence; that it is at all
times against any corporations or in
dividuals when it thinks they are in
the wrong and for those that 1t feels
are in the right. 1t is evident that
this Minneapolis clique is not salts
fed with such position. What they
want is an administration that is
for them whether they are right or
wrong.
IF this Smith-Carpenter combina-
ton is Republican, they should help
build up the Republican party. In
stead of doing that, they are attempt
ing to destroy it,, Why they are
doing so is evident from the facts l
shall disclose and which l feel the
people of the State ought to know.
"ln the last campaign, E. E. Smith
was very anxious to have Mr.. Car
penter appointed state chairman.
Because Of his connections, l felt this
to be inadvisable. took the position
that l wanted Mr. Lindquist as the
campaign manager, for l knew he
had no utilization with any interests
or factions that would lead to any
embarrassing complications in the in
dependent course ! wished to pursue
Presidency Not Sought.
mot being able to thus get control
OF the Republican state committee.
it was evidently the aim Of the
Smith Carpenter forces to try to &C
quire influence in the National con-
vention by getting the control of the
Minnesota delegation, for, after my
address before the National commit
tee in Chicago more than a year ago.
Mr.. Smith asked me to allow my
name to he used for the purpose of
securing the Minnesota delegation for
myself for the presidential nomina-
ton. I informed him at the time
that ! was a candidate for no posi-
ton. Had | left the management OF
such campaign in the hands of the
above named combination, no objec-
ton would now, in my opinion, be
stirred up by this organization
against Mr.. Lindquist, the present
chairman of the Republican State
Central committee.
Certain reporters, who have been
on intimate terms with the Smith
Carpenter element, are now engaged
in fomenting the opposition of men
who are not familiar with the facts.
The attitude thus assumed is one. that
will assist the Nonpartisan League
and the enemies of the Republican
party. The last attack on the state
chairman, which was inspired by
them because of letter written to
former employe at the latter's re-
quest, stating my position on the
presidency, is an illustration of the.
smallness of their tactics.
1.-THE last person in the world who
ought to object to a state chairman
expressing his personal views on po-
litical matters is Mr.. Smith, who, for
several years, was chairman of the
State Central committee and worked