The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-08-10
POLITICAL CHATTER
(by VANCE CHAPMAN)

Doing the "Post Mortem" is the
chief pastime in state capitol circles
these days. ''Who threw that brick, !"
"How did it happen, "Who and
what was responsible, SIS there
more coming, and "Will Magnus
Johnson run for gopernor when he
completes the senatorial short term
are some of the queries and the
answers are just as many and as
varied. "Too much Preus'', says
one. dollar wheat, insists an
other and General unrest" contends
still another. All are positive that
they know just what brought about
Jake's defeat and Johnson's eleva-
ton to the senatorship, but what
bothers the capitol crowd the most
is whether the cleaning" process
will continue through to the next
campaign. To say that the inhab-
itants of Capitol Hill are over
whelmed is putting it mild; stunned
comes pretty near being the proper
word. When the state canvassing
board completed its labors the tally
sheet read; Magnus Johnson, Farm
er-Labor 2SO,165; ]. A. o. Preus,
Republican, 195,319; James A.
Carley, 1881. Johnson hackers
had hoped that his majority would
reach the 100000 figure which it
did not, but they have the satisfac-
ton of knowing that Magnus dis
tanced his colleague, DR.. Henrik
Shipstead, who won out last fall
over Frank B. Kellogg by $3.50
votes. How it happened or who
or what was responsible is not for
explanation or discussion here; the
fact only remains that it happened
and that nearly 100000 Republican
voters were responsible and that
they did it with their eyes open.
That any of the other nine Repub-
lican senatorial candidates who
participated in the primary contest
could have prevailed against John
son is doubtful. Johnson carried
better than two-thirds Of the
counties of the state, yet despite
this overwhelming lead he is min
ority winner as was DR.. Shipstead
in the Fall election. Only 504,795
out of a total of about $4,000
votes in the state were cast and the
stay at homes it might be said were
responsible. That the North Star
state from now on will be in the
national spotlight goes without say
ing. The election of Magnus John
son in way cinches so-calied radi-
cal control of the United States
senate and his every vote and ut
terance together with that of his
colleague, DIR. Shipstead, will be
watched with interest. Magnus pro-
missed much if sent to the United
States senate and delivery will be
expected.
That the senatorial election, just
closed, with its overwhelming defeat
for the Republican forces will have
a bearing on the 1924 campaign is
without question. Quite few haz-
zard the guess that the cleaning
next year. will be thorough one.
Fairly drunk with victory those who
aided in the election of Magnus
Johnson are out for the complete
capture of the state administration
a year hence and this includes
every Office on the elective list.
Even the supreme court which will
have three vacancies is to be in
vaded. Viewed from the stand
point Of those who make politics a
profession the job is big one, but
when it is known that a number
of prominent German-Americans in
the state have given the scheme
their endorsement the tendency is
to make the average layman set UP
and take notice. Debt ridden Ger
many is fighting for it's very exist
ence now and the party or group |
that will give the Fatherland reas-
enable assurance of relief can have
its best. Voters of German birth |
and extraction have the call in Min
nesota and they were active in the
recent senatorial campaign. This
activity in part explains the can
didacy of DIR. L. A. Fritsche of New
Ulm, who, while he did not land in
the primaries put C. A. Lindbergh,
out of business and at the same