Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-19
SOME MATTERS OF CONCERN

SOME MATTERS OF CONCERN
you would not vote for a wild man
like Magnus Johnson merely because
of these conditions. would you? ask
ed leading Minnesota Republican of
a Republican farmer.
THE wilder he is and the bigger
damned fool, the quicker I would
vote for him., was the reply.-From
special dispatch to Boston Transcript.
OF course this does not tell all
about Magnus Johnson, nor because
of it should we ignore those quail
ties whereby Mr.. Johnson, from be-
ing a glassblower in Sweden, has be-
come a United States Senator. He
doubtless has worked long hours,
shrewdness to take advantage Of the
main chance and in this country,
which he seems to think so sadly out
Of repair; also has by industry,
shrewdness and an indomitable ply
sique acquired goodly amount Of
property and distinction, which he
is likely to find about the most diff
flcult thing to hold he ever grappled.
Whether he has come by this lat
ter possession by means which are
to the advantage Of the country be-
comes a serious question, one Of
greater magnitude at the present
moment-though it may prove Of
passing mportance-than many
,;rfa t.
rive at a fair comprehension of the
situation. To do so it will be best to
travel without the impedimcnta Of
prejudice and with clear vision.
First it would seem advisable to
recognize the personal equation,
which undoubtedly existed, although
this does not appear to be of suffi-
Gent influence to account for the re-
suit. johnson appears to be popular
while his opponent does not The lat
ter evidently wanted to be the whole
show. Running as a Republican he
would not have support from the ma
tional administration and thought to
catch votes by criticizing the policies
Of Republican administration.
And right here we best note the
conspicuous absence of party con-
troll in an election of one to take part
in making the laws of the country.
Preus, nominally Republican, declin-
ing the national party support; John
son. Farmer Labor, aided by LaFol-
lette, assumed Republican,, by the
Non Partisan League of economic
disaster, and by radicals Of every
shade of red, from out all parties.
And the man selected manifestly one
who could not fairly be expected to
be named by any legislature under
the old system of making choice Of
Senators.
Another feature which is impress
sive is that the successful seem
largely alike in thinking thoughts,
which will not bear the test Of sound
sense. Josh Billings was not devoid
of wisdom when he advised that 1t
was better to know less than to know
SO much that isn't so. Those know
ing much that isn't SO are in the lead
in Minnesota.
The farmer, reported, assumed to
know that he best vote for the wild
est and least informed candidate; the
candidate told the voters he knew
how to fix it at Washington but did
not tell them how. He appears to
have given the wheat farmer to I'M
derstand he would have the Govern
ment buy five hundred million bu-
shells of wheat and store it some
place; that he would secure lower
prices for products and pay producers
higher prices for them. The need OF
explaining hew he would do this did
not seem to occur to him. AS though
considering the fixing of all this ar
easy matter he returns home to his
haying, though it isn't clear why. II
farming is SO improbable, he should
bother to save his crop. Neither IL
1t clear how it is possible that the
hay Of Magnus Johnson's farm Is OF
more value to the country than IL
the wonderful secret so tightly locked
in the innermost recesses OF Magnus
the secret mctnLu with which he
would do all the wonderful things hi
has promised to do. The land thirsteth
for such a marvellous revelation but
is forced to wait in arid expectancy
until Magnus gets through haying
Except that Mr.. johnson has be.
come cog in the wheels of radical
ism, that he may possess an untitled
capacity for mischief, he need no,
concern US. The evident fact thai
his election places in the power OF
LaFollette the opportunity to make
use Of his destructive influence in
shaping the legislation Of the coun.
try is a feature we should keep In
mind; also the spirit for running
amuck avowed by the farmer, de.
termined to vote for the widest and
most foolish among candidates. How
numerous he may be, how long il
will be before his fever abates, these
are matters Of concern to US all.