The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-06-25
ANNOUNCEMENT BY u-..,
\ .. ID. DICKINSON

~ On returning from mOntnS aD-
sence from the state i find thousands
of names of men and women voters
filed, asking for my nomination for
governor. They are from all sections
Of the state. A very large percentage
are farmers. Laborers, business and
professional voters and others make
up the rest. ! am told that not cent
has been paid to canvass for these.
/ believe the signers are sincere. /
therefore announce my candidacy for
the nomination for Governor on the
Republican ticket.
am told that am expected to ex-
press myself on some questions. /
am continually told that am to blame
for sentences hanging over prominent
citizens of the state; that III suffer
for it at the primary and am asked
what have to say. 1t would be much
more pleasant if Icould feel like pass
ing this by. find no qualification in
the misfortunes overtaking any per-
son, rich or poor and if justice could
be satisfied otherwise, personal friend
ship would welcome a stay of execu-
ton, but as an official shall always
act as duty suggests though that duty
may affect a man Of millions or the
commonest laborer. ! am on record
on this question in my message to the
last state senate when l said in sub
stance, "The sale of public Office from
the auction block eliminates the voter
of moderate means from consideration
and no democracy is safe with money
controlled primary or election and no
considerable amount of money will
be used except to get votes and to do
this warps, pollutes and corrupts ana
money alone talks. To insure safety
for democracy and purity in our cleo
tions, the millionaire who violates the
election laws must be classed with the
poor mechanic who steals a sack of
-four" If l were governor / would
treat all alike. The fight to give the
poor but capable voter chance must
| go on.
1t has been said to me that my mes
sage to the state senate started the
move for bonus for the boys of the
late war and I've been asked if l feel
now as l did then, after seeing the
embarrassment this is giving the gov
eminent. certainly do. The govern
ment compelled these boys to face the
exposure, dangers and numberless sac
rifces of war at dollar a day while
insuring to thousands at home five to
ten dollars day near pleasant homes
/ fafx 10 Ia .nf ,Ol,
unequal pay can be found in history.
Justice should be done Immediately
and not in the humiliating term of
"bonuses" but as "back pay. If such
| a stand loses me votes or the nomina-
ton itself, can better stand it than
thousands of these boys can do with
out the pay justly theirs.
From every section of the state
am told that / am the only farmer
living and working on the farm, who
4 has had the temerity to offer himself
as a candidate for governor for many
years and that this occupationSin itself
will lose me silk stocking votes. If
this be true I'll have to stand it but
l am not ashamed of my calling. On
the other hand Pm told by the farmers
that they are supporting me because
they know l am farmer and one who
knows their needs by actual expert
ence on the farm. | desire to say that
l have no right to ask support even
from farmers just because / am q
farmer if / am not broad enough and
fair enough to deal justly by all the
great interests of the state. ] do not
want to be governor if / cannot adj
minister impartially on all questions
This means justice to the farmer and
all other interests.
The adoption of the eighteenth
amendment should have settled the
wet and dry question but the VETS
headed by Governor Edwards, say the
fight is one to reinstate liquors and
every candidate having to do with
legislating or enforcing prohibition
acts will be put on record in the fall
campaign. This is the first move for
the return of the saloon and suggests
that the drys also must be alert in
knowing the candidates.
The question of labor and capital
farming conditions, taxation, boards
commissions, etc., are to be considered
Capital is making charges against la
Dor and labor against capital. Farm
ers are charging unfair treatment and
city people say farmers are grasping
and so on in other lines. We're pull
ing apart. Suspicion and distrust are
abroad. Conditions are serious if not
chaotic. No state can be administered
as it should be with such dissensions
We must quit charges, use charity and
get together. We need the religion of
Jesus Christ. We need it in chunks.
1t would give the laborer his rights
and no more. 1t would deal justly by
the farmers and no more. SO with the
capitalists, merchants, etc. 1t would
give state institutions what is needed,
no more. If courageously applied it
would weed out useless boards, en-
/ ploypS politicaI u1carc afo II ,,,o,,lJ