The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-08-21

and measures. There is much talk
of the apathy of the citizens but the
concern manifested over this develop
ment is genuine and not the usual po-
litical buncombe. The reaction to the
acceptance speeches, it is said, sur
prised and disappointed all party
leaders.
One experienced political observer
has compared the public's mind with
a Photographic plate which must be
|sensitized to receive and retain def
mite impressions. 1t seems that the
difficulty is to keep the issues of the
day constantly before the people.
Complaint is made that the discussion
of these important matters is too
shirt-lived for party success and the
monotony incident to amending repe-
tition by the principal candidates is
equally as deadly in it's ultimate eff
feet. 1t is evident, veteran cam
paigners say, that the debate on mat
tiers of governmental policy must be
kept at lively pace lest the fear,
some bugaboo-indifference- should
crop out to plague the vote-getters
in the late hours of the contest.
Many congressman, returning from
spirited primary fights, have urged
the leaders of their respective parties
to wage more aggressive warfare.
1t is pointed out that the calm atmos-
phere which prevails after the first
skirmish augurs ill for those who
place their chief dependence upon an
aroused, and consequently voting
electorate. Some have suggested
that much good would come in a de-
parture from the present policy by
the adoption Of sensational campaign.
methods, oilers propose a continuance
of the conservative attitude which
has thus far characterized the Re-
publican and Democratic parties. No
body doubts that the leaders will
change their course to meet these
conditions for it is counting time
wherein the politicians sue for the vot-
ers favor and there are classes OF
voters as whimsical and uncertain as
maiden's fancy. The teacher in the
public schools knews that the educa-
tive process is we'll under way when
instructive curiosity is replaced by
intellectual interest. The same idea
prevails in the exercise of the elector-
al franchise. There can be no doubt
of the validity of this contention. In
quiry has shown that voting is gener-
ally matter of sentiment.
Word has reached Washington that
fractional squabbles make speculation
as to the personnel of the next Con-
gress exceedingly difficult. In some
congressional districts, the incum-
bents are unopposed for reelection
or their record practically assures a
victory. However, it is reported that
instances of this kind are compare
lively few. The direct primary has
brought out numerous candidates
and developed factional feeling which
it is said, leaves its mark on the
party.
1t is customary, during the ses-
sions of Congress, for visitors to crit
icize the mental equipment of their
representative and his ineptitude in
legislative matters. Yet, it is sur
prising to note that these critics
make little or no effort to replace the
Congressman. That the House of
Representatives does not possess
membership of higher calibre is at
tributed principally to the fact that
the pay is inadequate and wealthy
men are unwilling to accept the
somewhat doubtful honor. Men of
means, usually successful in business,
do not relish the prospect of being at
the beck and call of approximately
100000 citizens. Neither do they
cherish a Federal job which opens
their otherwise private AFFAIRS to po-
litical villifcation. The vicissitudes
of a political career are many and
the honor of occupying seat in the
Congress is not regarded as a suffi-
cient recompense. This represents
the accepted theory as to the causes
of the decline of Congress, is such
decentralization is true.
The season is never too early for
optimists. Sanquine scouts have re-
ported "gains" in the Senate for their
parties. The national ticket is natur-
ally the most important. The con-
troll of Congress by the party whose
candidate for the Presidency is high