The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-08-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial to Sank Centre Herald)

(Speclal TO Sduh SeHITe I1eIdlu)
Washington, Aug. 6-Though Of
fetal Washington is particularly dull
at this time of the year, those who
hold political jobs or those who ex-
pect to receive political favors, are
obviously concerned over the caprices
of the market for farm products. 1t
is said in many quarters that the yield
of the soil and the demand for the
products holds the key to the forma-
ton of third party. The increas-
ing complexity of political conditions
to battle even the most astute politl-
clans who realize that public opinion
is profoundly interested and divided
on the chances of a third party get
ting a permanent foothold after the
November elections.
The formal notifications to the
prospective candidates of their NOM
ination for the Presidency revives
partisan interest in platforms and res
olutions of intentions. Impartial OBJ
servers are unanimous in their decla-
ration that it would be folly to pre-
dict the outcome of the autumn cleo
lions at this early stage of the con-
test. Political leaders are cognizant
of the necessity of stimulating party
activity on the great questions of the
day and familiarizing the voter with
the party commitments. Always
sensible of the limitations of the peo-
pie, these party leaders do not intend
to wait for human nature to change
but revise their own institutions to
fit human nature. AS one thoughtful
leader stated recently. "There is no
hope in putting a square collar on a
horse and then condemning the horse
for failure to grow a square neck"
The claim was advanced in many
quarters that economic factors more
than political ideals may govern the
rise of a third party. The political
dopesters say that third party must
have its nucleus in separation OF
the two major parties, and it now
resolves itself into the question as to
which campaigner will suffer the
heaviest numerical losses in the pop
ular vote. Republican leaders have
argued lately that the upward revis-
ion of wheat, corn and hog prices in
the Middle West will strengthen their
position and discount many of LaFol-
lette's best arguments for a change.
The Democratic and Progressive
leaders insist that these eleventh hour
changes in the economic structure are
not at all convincing. However,
there is always perspective in poll
tics.
In the discussions of the third
party movement here and in other
hoc hot
Toilette hopes to make strong show
ing in the fall and then build up a
permanent party on his theory of
state. A third party movement some
times implies that the followers dis
card the other groups on the ground
that their platforms represent out
worn and obsolete ideas of political
thought, which is not exactly true in
this case. 1t has been said that this
new movement would be patterned
after the British labor party in its
legislative program but conditions
here and in England are vastly diff
ferent and such plan would neces-
sarily be modified to insure it's ac-
ceptance by any large body of voters.
Those who have studied the polit-
ical systems say that the independent
voter has some difficulty in the regis
try of has intentions under the pres
ent balloting system. There are four
types of Presidential ballots in use in
46 states which even results in wide
spread confusion as the methods pre-
scribed vary. LaFollette's managers
have hopes of capitalizing on split
tickets but splitting a ballot involves
icly Of Of ic
this lack of understanding which
makes the straight ticket the easiest
method of voting, and, it is said,
strengthens the two major parties.
While the campaign has not yet
reached the stage where personalities
are banded about in political discus
sions, it is interesting to note that all
parties are giving their attention to
insuring a heavy vote at the fall cleo
tons. In every locality speakers en-
deavor to awaken the citizens inter-
est in the government and those who
want the highest office in the gift of
the people. Just now they are hard
pressed in devising methods for the
enlightenment of potential voters. 1t
has been said that just as the multi
tude needs leaders to inspire them
and to think for them so leaders need
the great mass of sensible, well-in-
tentioned followers to keep them in
check.
James Brice, former Ambassador
to Great Britain, and recognized au-
thority on American history, declared
that "no leader, no party, no legis-
lature, can ever ruin a State while
the great body of Average Citizens,
the better educated, and the less ed
ucated, taken together continue to
maintain high level of public spirit
and practical good sense.
Those who have analysed the exist
ing state of things have reported to
the various Washington headquarters
that the most retarding factor is in