The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-06-25
HIS AUDIENCE
ADDRESS BY LARRY HODG.
SON OF ST. PAUL
He Declared That Government
Should Be BuiIded On HUI
man Sympathy


A machine is just a machine and not
human; it can not dream. It can not
aspire and 1t cannot love. Men in
public Office must not merely inter-
pref the law. but must give every
personal service that can help men
whether the law gives such service
or not"
The above were the opening words
Of Lawrence C.. Hodgson, mayor Of
st. Paul last night at Mankato the;.-
date for the democratic nomination
for governor at the coming primar-
les.
The meeting was largely attended,
and was presided over by o. M.
Hatcher, who introduced the speak
er OF the evening. just preceding
the address of Mr.. Hodgson, a male
quartette, consisting of Joseph Ken
dali, DR.. Hiram Lloyd. Glenn Shoe
maker and Guy Butts, sang a selec-
ton. These gentlemen were requir-
ea to respond to severai encores.
Their singing, as usual was excellent
When Mr.. Hodgson arose to de-
liver his speech he Was greeted with
most liberal applause. Beginning
his address Mr.. Hodgson said that
he knew that the people were not
anxious to listen to the ordinary poll
tical speech. therefore, ne would
sooner not be considered in his ad-
dress as the candidate, but merely a
man with the great problems Of hui
man interest at heart. Political cam
paigns may be interesting. but they
are temporary things White human
interests will remain. For that rea-
son the speaker stated that ne would
talk OF things which seem to him to
be the most fundamental in Ameri-
tunity to make the terms realized for
which sacrifices have been made. and
that the man who died on Flanders
Fields did not die in vain.
Wrong Attitude Toward Government.
The speaker said that II seemed to
him that in the past some people
have had wrong attitude toward
the government The result Is that
there is a division between the men
in office, and the citizens. Mr.. Hodg
son said that in his opinion. one OF
the great .iIties Of officers OF a state
was to bridge this great chasm be-
tween the common people and the
state capitol, for the people do not
want government to be an imper-
sonal, a mere machine, for n machine
is just machine. and is not human.
it Can not dream. it can not think or
love, for about the greatest we get
out Of life is great love of the broth
erhood of man. The speaker said
that his idea Of good government Is.
that 1t should be based upon human
association and human sympathies. For
a man who is put in a public office
Is not merely put there to sign bills.
He should consider himself as one Of
the individuals of the human family
put there to minister to the wishes Of
fee are only the servants of the
people. The chief duty OF every good
citizen, Mr.. Hodgson said, was to
give tolerant ear to the troubles of
his fellow men, for people are not
going to get very far, if the spirit
of tolerance is, not cultivated. In
this great United States a spirit of
brotherhood must always underila
the problems of state if they are to
sucCe ed.
Must Not Think in Glasses or Groups.
mo man who thinks IN classes and
groups will ever be cble 10 give good
service to the state" sad Mr.. Hodg-
son in the midst of applause. "Ev-
cry influence Of government and So
ciety must be directed to prevent iso-
lations between groups of citizens.
Nothing must be encouraged which
tends to develop the spirit OF class
There can be no unity worth while
unless the idea Of common citizen
ship Is greater than the ideal of class
distinction. Now that the war is
over. there are still great problems
TO solve. But in the solution Of
these, the people should stick to the
same unity of the spirit OF America.
Men in public office should be able
to bind up the wounds existing be-
tween them and the public. My the
DRY of state government is, that 1t
should upon human sentiment realiz-
ing that men, women and children
have hearts and souls. When prob
lens Of state are solved. they should
be solved with the idea and relation
to all of the American people"
Consideration for the Farmer.
Mr.. Hodgson dwelt at some length
upon the necessity of honest consid-
Grafton for the farmer in order to
encourage agricultural activities. Mr.
Hodgson said that the most import
ant element in the state is that of
agriculture. The farmer deserves
first consideration. Among other
things the farmer should nave the
right to deal comparatively. and
should have the right of collective
bargaining. He should also be fur
nished with more direct marketing
connections. freer access to oppor
tunities Of trade and better chance
at fair and equitable prices. The
agricultural department of the state
government should be given 1ncreas-
ed authority. In this connection Mr..
Hodgson said that the live stock in
dustry of the state holds forth great
er opportunities for the future than
any other in the state. The state
should lend encouragement in estab-
fishing purebred strains OF dairy cat
tie. The farm bureau work must be
increasingly enlarged and supported.
There are vast areas In the northern
part of the state. which are admir-
ably adapted to the dairying indus
try, and should be encouraged by the
state. in seeing that people there
are aided in getting the foundations
OF pure bred herds of dairy cattle.
The demands Of America are in ex-
cess of the wealth. In order to
create the necessary wealth to meet
this demand, the speaker said that
he knew no better way in this state
than 10 encourage dairying.
Should Be Increased Production,
Mr.. Hodgson said that there should
be increased protection for children,
with the opportunity for child well
fare work enlarged In The state bu-
reau of labor. In making this state