The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-10-31
F 4 r Nj E r S
FARMER LABOR PARTY IN MINNESOTA WINNING
AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS LOSE MASSES

GUS years. Moreover the Republicans
were somewhat divided in their allie
glance to the candidates of their par
ty. Thus it was that a campaign on
issues was conducted with a greater
success than had been the case in
1918 and 1920. AS a result of the
Farmer-Labor party succeeded in
electing Henrik Shipstead United
States senator, and Knud Wefald and
O. J. Kvale to the house of represen-
tatives.
"In the off year of 1928, it will be
recalled that Magnus Johnson, real
dirt farmer of Kimball, Mimi, over
whelmingly defeated Governor J. o.
Preus, Republican nominee for the
United States senatorship, in the spe-
cial election to elect a successor to
Senator Knute Nelson, who had died
in office.
"The campaigns in 1924 and 1926
are so recent that no explanation Of
these is necessary, other than to say
that tDa Presidential contest Of 1924
ACCOMPLISHED the defeat Of the Farm
slate. AS in 1896, during
the Bryan free silver campaign, the
big interest Of the country inundated
the workers and the small town bust
ness men, by giving them notice that
u"'"ss thar candidate f1r President
came out victorious on election day,
there would ensue a period of panics,
unemployment and hard times. The
voters weakened under the threat and
gave Calvin Coolidge their votes. And
in giving their votes to Coolidge they
also gave their votes to the Repub-
lican state and congressional nomi-
nees.
Democrats Off the Map.
Notwithstanding this unfair meth
cd of conducting campaigns against
the Farmer-Labor candidates, the
Farmcr-Labor party has continued to
grow. In the short period of eight
years of existence in this state, the
Farmer-Labor party has accomplished
the complete elimination of the Demo-
cratic party as an opposition force in
the state. At the election on Nov 2,
1926 the Farmer-Labor nominee for
governor polled more than seven times
as many votes as were cast for the
Democratic candidate for that office.
"The Farmer-Labor party of Min
nesota is a public ownership party.
1t advocates public ownership of all
public utilities. 1t stands for the ex-
emption of farm improvements from
taxation and it demands for the work
ers and urban dwellers the ultimate
elimination Of taxes ON all personal
effects.
Work of Farmer-Labor Party.
"The Farmer-Labor party is respon-
sible for the enactment of laws taxing
the exploiters of our iron ore. These
taXes--on nat profits and royalties,
have brought into the state treasury
of Minnesota an amount approximat-
ing $23.000,000 during the last six
years.
"Ihe rural credit bureau which was
established few years ago is anoth-
er Of the propositions demanded by
the FaImer-Laborites which the old
partyites found it necessary to yield
to. The service that the rural credits
bureau has rendered is difficult to
estimate, though it is safe to say it
has been the means of saving hun
dreds of thousands of dollars in in
terest money to the farmers who have
been forced to borrow money on their
farms.
''The Farmer-Labor party of Min
nesota will be in the fight in 1928
with full slate of candidates. These
will be indorsed at con-
vention representing the farmers and
of the state. The party will
expect every indorsee to show undi-
vided fidelity to the party, to the
other indorsees on the ticket and to
the party's platform and principles
during the campaign, and a faithful
performance to the cause in office, if
at the polls"