The Mankato free press., 1923-08-31
VIEWS OF LAYMEN
Regarding Masnus Johnson

Regarding Maenus Johnson
Mankato, Mimi, August 27.-To
The Free Press: The people Of the
state of Minnesota need offer no
apologies for Magnus Johnson, SEN
ator elect.
What he may accomplish or fail
to accomplish is entirely a matter
OF conjecture. While some have
criticized his dress, his oratortcal
style, his grammer and-lack Of polish
none who know him, question his
honesty nor the soundness of his
Judgment.
Election to high public office has
developed remarkable statesmanship
In many men OF no greater qualifi
cations than these. An honest man
IS, and always has been ture bene-
factor. Let, whether or not he ac-
complishes a thing, his election viii
accomplish great deal, because In
the state Of Minnesota 1t marks the
beginning OF the end of very strong
political machine and in the nation
It Is warming that the present poll
ces OF this administration are in
serious disrepute. Gradually as the
people OF the Unites States recover
from the shock Of Magnus Johnson's g
majority, they begin to size Mime
sota's attitude up correctly. They
are beginning to realize that the re-
suits here were achieved by loyal
patriotic American citizens, who are
tired of seeing the agricultural and
Industrial producers made the goats
all the time for the benefit Of privt-
legged special interests. -,
II the farmer- labor victories here
were to do no more than that they
would have fully justified them
selves. Senator Johnson will go d.
rect from the farm to the United
States senate. He has been active
Tor a number of years. In sending
ers very evidently believe they have
found in Senator Johnson a repre-
sentative, whom they trust and who
will carry out their wishes. Some
say, dollar wheat and $16 day for
bricklayers elected Mr.. johnson sen
ator Of Minnesota. The farmer
registered his protest for what 1t was
worth by electing Mr.. johnson, just
as he had registered last fall by
electtng DR.. Shipstead.
When q state like Minnesota
shows political temper of this sort,
two years running, 1t is evident that
something is wrong with one or the
other Of the tive old parties. -
Shortly after his election, Magnus
Johnson said: Il believe that the
farmers, and the workers and the
business men can, by united action,
better conditions" Not such bad
statement to come from any senator,
republican, democrat farmer labor
progressive or any other. In 1t lies
the solution of most Of our ills. II
Mr.. Johnson can live up to such q
program, can convince others that
CO operation Of all classes Is neces-
sary for the lasting security and
prosperity Of all and can convince
the other senators that no one
class, neither capital nor labor, nor
pense Of the other, then Magnus
Johnson of Minnesota, will prove a
pleasant and welcome surprise to his
keenest critics. The farmer has a
real grievance and the more he us
unselfshly aided in his trials the
better it will be for the nation. The
farmer doesn't want charity. He
doesn't want to be. treated any diff
ferently than his fellows in business
are treated, but he wants to be
treated. as well as they are treated.
It is for the interest of all that the
farmer should~be lifted out Of his
present, terrible position 80 that he
can go about paying his debts.
Popular thinking Is the foundation
of democracy and It Is bound to bear
wholesome fruit in due time Papers
of the opposition are fond Of call :.
ing Mr.. johnson, "a farmer donkey"
of a senator. Can they not see that
he Is Justified in not wanting to be a
pack mule as private citisen. His
voice is criticized as loud and coarse.
The senate may suffer aesthetically
from the exercise of 80 clarion q
note, but the country as whole will
rather feel that It is the things
which are whispered, rather than
those that are shouted, in that dig
nifled chamber. that are apt to cause
trouble. Conspirators don't shout.
II our senator Is upgrammaktcal at
the top of his voice he may do less
harm than some OF his colleagues
whose polished voices are seldom
heard outside the cloak room.
Again other critisc are fond or
showing Mr.. Johnson with his coat
OF and silspenders showing. 80 II It