The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-10-30
AN UNUSUAL CAMPAIGN

One OF the most unusual pOlltlcal
campaigns in the history of the Unit
ed States is drawing to close.
Six weeks ago there was a grave
probability that the selection of the
next President of the United States
would be thrown into Congress. There
is still a possibility that this may
happen but the depths to which
Messrs LaFollette and Davis have
sunk in their campaign of vitupera-
ton and mud-slinging leads one to the
conclusion that Mr.. Coolidge's
chances are immeasurably better to-
day than they were month ago.
The countrywide straw vote poll
conducted by the Literary Digest in
dictates that Mr.. Coolidge will have at
least 300 votes in the Forthcoming
Electoral College, whereas only 266
are required to elect.
Light is made of this vote in some
quarters, the claim being made that
the Literary Digest readers are not
representative Of the rank and file of
the citizenship. Fifteen million
blanks were sent out covering the en-
tire country.
The Herald editor has closely
watched the Literary Digest straw
vote during two previous presidential
campaigns. In 1916, for instance,
the vote indicated that the race in
Minnesota and California would be
very close. The later favored Wilson
and Minnesota favored Hughes. The
result gave California to Mr.. Wilson
by less than 5000 plurality and Mr..
Hughes carried Minnesota by shade.
However if Mr.. Coolidge's percent
age of the Literary Digest vote is re-
duced one-third he would still have
800 electoral votes.
n
Getting down to Minnesota the
Herald believes that Mr.. Coolidge
will carry this state if rs per cent of
the vote of the state is polled, or
about 100000 votes.
The Republican State ticket aside
from the office of governor, is not in
any. danger. Floyd Olson, the Farm
er-Labor candidate for governor is a
shifty politician who deals in half
truths and generalities. Mr.. Christ
hanson, the Republican candidate has
been driving home actual facts to
the citizens in an extensive swing
around the state and his earnestness
and ability has impressed every aud
fence who has listened to him. His
legislative experience ideally fits him
for the high office he seeks, and his
chances for election are improving
daily.
Thomas Schall, the Republican can
didate for the United States senate,
has his Farmer-Labor opponent, Mag
nus Johnson on the run. A number
of attempts have been made to get
Messrs Schall and johnson in
joint debate but Magnus has persist
emily ducked. Schali as congress
man has been strong with labor and
he has record as a consistent friend
of the farmer. Magnus admits in his
talks, that aside from his milking and
wood-sawing contests in which he was
defeated by the late Secretary of
Agriculture Wallace, he has not been
able to accomplish much.
DIR. Sam Shipstead of Brooten. the
Farmer-Labor candidate for Congress
from this, the Sixth district, received
hundreds of votes in the June pri-
maries because the voters were Of the
opinion they were voting for his
brother, United States Senator Ship
stead. He is opposed by Congress
man Harold Knutson who has been
the efficient servant of the citizens of
this district for several sessions. If
Mr.. Knutson is reelected he will be
the senior member of the Minnesota
delegation. He will be in position
to render service to his district that
will be impossible for new member.
Harold is member of Congress who
keeps in close touch with his consti-
tuency. His friendship for the Ser
vice man has been proven. There
should not be any question about
Mr.. Knutson's reelection. Sank
Centre and Western Stearns county