The labor world., 1922-07-22
THE SCHOOL ELECTION.


Whenever any group Of citizens out
side of the select set that has domin-
ated school affairs here for years
takes an interest in school elections
and attempts to set up candidates of
their own liking that group must run
the gauntlet of criticism from both of
our daily newspapers.
The News Tribune refused to spe-
city the complaints of the labor group
Of citizens who had set up as their
candidates, A. G. Mcknight, J. A.
Braff, J. H. Tomlin and Charles o.
son. It would have the people believe
that such men only wanted a "new
deal.' "Just what this new deal
would be, only those who knew the
political record of the leading aspirant
Of the organized opposing four could
form a definite idea,' said the morn
ing paper in an editorial following the
election.
That was shot at A. G. Mcknight,
the most prominent of the labor can.
didates, and it was an entirely un-
called for slap at a man whose pri.
yate and public REGARD is particularly
clean and above reproach. Here is
man who has rendered unselfish
service to the people without boast
and without hope Of reward. His rec
Z ord as an alderman under the old form
Nof government is second to that of no
other man who has served this city in
any capacity. He has stood four square
on every question that has ever come
before the people, and most times
against his own personal welfare. It
I would have been easier and more prof
I table for him to have taken the 10th
er side' on such matters, but Nc
4 Knight is not Of the kind "who bends
the pregnant hinges of the knees that
thrift might follow fawning.' And
that is probably the reason why the
News Tribune has no use for him and
his political record.
= When some of his critics were at
home coming dollars out Of the war,
Mcknight, beyond the fighting age,
volunteered his services to his coun.
try. The only thing open for him was
a Y. NJ. C. A. post in France. He did
not leave for France until after the
aruistice was signed when most every
one else was anxious to return home.
The distinguished service he rendered
4 at that time was recognized by his su-
i periors and appreciated by the SOL
diers, all Of whom still greet him as
a comrade. Neither Mcknight nor his
friends have attempted to capitalize
his overseas. service. His enemies have
not been sufficiently gracious or gen.
erous to pay tribute to him for il.
Were he a vassal Of Privilege they
would lodge him en- pedestal fit for
the gods.
It comes with mighty poor grace
from any newspaper in Duluth to cast
any slurs on the political record of A.
!, G. Mcknight. If more men possessed
his ideals and his courage to fight for
them there would he less strife and
p chaos, and greater love and content
fment in the world then there is today
II His position on political and economic
questions stamps him as man whc
would save his country from the evils
Of civil strife or the horrors Of revo
luton. He is no defender of or apollo
gist for the present order Of injustice
greed and privilege. He is no molly
4 coddle, but a red blooded America,
! citizen who is not afraid to speak out
against the wrong he sees about him
Y That is why A. G. Mcknight has lo>
Of fighting friends and SO many bitter
s enemies, and it is the chief reason why
FL the daily newspapers do not want hin
4 as a member of the school board or il
any other public position. al
When one studies carefully the vote
by precincts cast for the several can
didates for the school board it will b.
\ found that the present administration
5&or the daily newspapers haven't yer,
h much to crow about. The average folk
seemingly wanted a change. They ar
4 against the present system Of favorit
ism practiced by the school board. TIL
VI majority of them voted for the can
E didates endorsed by labor. -
~ It was the class conscious well-to
do in the fashionable sections Of tn
East end and the influence Of the Min
sf nesota Steel company at Morgan Parl
a5 that saved the administration candi