The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-09-30
WASHINGTON LETTER

Washington, Sept. 29-There is
much confusion regarding the election
issues. Members of the major polit-
ical parties cannot agree as to, what
constitutes the party program. Cam
didates for office coming ITO Washing.
ton to seek the support of the Presi-
dent, or in the case of the Democrats
the aid of their national leaders, diff
fer as to issues. AT one time party
politics was based on clearly defined
issues which aroused the populalce
but time apparently has wiped out the
line of demarcation and party labels
have faded somewhat. ~
AS an illustration, a Republican
candidate for Senate after confer
ence with the President this week
said that, in his opinion, the tariff
was an issue in the fall campaign in
his state, and that THE crest of the
farm troubles had been reached, so
that agricultural relief is no longer a
political issue. He insisted that it is
one of economic adjustment. AIT the
same time one or two other candi-
l.
relief was distinctly AN issue, and
that the administration favored adj
ditional work stressing the effective
ness of cooperatives instead of leg
islative help. Federal officials have
already indicated that the Govern
ment would gladly extend loans to CO.
operatives with the idea of relieving
agricultural depression.
On the other hand, in the Demo
cratic campaign officials stated that
the question of state rights was some
thing worth consideration by the vot-
ing public. Revival of the state
rights issue was very pronounced this
week in Maryland when the Demo
cratic state platform carried a recog-
niton of this old time principle. The
activities of the Democrats in Mary.
land is considered important in Wash
ington because the platform was
drafted under the direction of Gov
ernor Ritchie, who has been doomed
for Democratic nomination for Presi-
dent.
r.
It is almost certainty that the
question of direct primaries will fig
ure prominently in the debate in the
Senate this winter, especially in view
of the report of the special Investigate
ing committee headed by Senator
James Reed, Democrat of Missouri,
who has been investigating expendi-
lures i'm the primaries in Pennsyl-
wanna and Illinois. Prediction is made
that the matter will become so inn
portant that lit viii take on national
aspects. Already movements are un-
der way to abolish direct primaries
1t is a direct issue in the gubernation-
al campaign in Wyoming where the
Republican candidate for Governor
opposes direct primaries, and Mrs.
Nellie Ross, the incumbent, defends
the dinect primary system. The Re.
publican party of New Jersey has
demanded removal of the direct pri-
mary law and the Democrats have
opposed this proposition. In the
State of Illinois there is court pro
ceeding which may vitality affect the
primary situation, Rhode Island, Con
necticut and New Mexico have never
adopted direct primaries for nominal
ing candidates for public office.
lul6 lCtCC Nl<1t IdlC 4 SuCIdA lIdu<
Commission has again been rebuket
by the Supreme Court of the Distric
of Columbia affords grounds for dis
cussion aE the Capitol. The Commits
sion was enjoined few days ag,
from participating in so-called fish
ing expeditions" which is form O
legaaized search into the files of bus
mess organizations for document
which might aid the Federal prosecu
tioH.
In the case of Miller's Nationa
Federation of Chicago the court de
cided that it was high time the Com
mission be curbed from attempting
TO infringe ON constitutional rights
Thus the Federal Trade Commission
has lost the majority of it's cour
cases. The President has "a problem
ON his hands in filling the Commits
sion's Democratic vacancy which oc
Cured with THE retire ment of Hous
ton Thompson, whose term expire,
last week.
The Civil Service has again sound
ed a warning to Federal employee
against the solicitation of funds flo
political purposes. In some munic
ipal, state and county organization
it is a practice for the party in powe
to assess the help ten per cent O
their salaries for a fixed period as
contribution to the party office. Thi
is not permissible under the Civ
Service Act. Congressman seekin
financial aid from Those who hol
civil service jobs will find it Difficult
to obtain financial aid from thei
friends in the Government service i
view Of the --latest warming.
g.
Members of the Cabinet have ae
sembled in Washington and the Pres
sdant and his associates are Whippin