The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-11-16
THE NATIONALITY APPEAL

There be doubt after the recent election that
nationality still plays large part in the politics of
the Northwest
For examples Gov. Erickson is a Norwegian born
down in Kansas. Several years ago he came to north
central Montana where he school teacher, and
later county attorney He then moved to Kals-
pe where he in time elected Judge of the District
Court
When the Anaconda Company was combng the state
in 1924 to find to defeat Joe Dixon with,
Tinplate Bill Brennan time state senator and
shrewd Irish politician, that he was, he is dead now,
who had been of the leading Anaconda lobbyist,
discovered Judge Erickson, and sold him to the COM
pany
The Company knew there was no one in the ranks
of the Republican party that could defeat Dixon for
the Republican nomination for governor: it must de-
feat Dixon with democratic candidate. That Demo-
cratic candidate should be Judge Erickson.
Sen. B. K. Wheeler was at this time in the ascend
ency in the Democratic party having been elected to
the Senate in 1922 After Wheeler's success in
ing the Democratic nomination for Senator in 1922 the
Copper Company got behind Wheeler, though it had
bitterly opposed him for Governor in 1920 when he
was nominated the Democratic ticket for that office
by the radical Nonpartisan League In 1922, Wheeler
having the democratic nomination for Senator,
and the Company wishing to elect legislature oppos
ed to Gov Dixon and his revenue measures, went be-
hind Wheeler for the senate and he elected, tho
the Company did this with some reluctance.
In 1920, when Wheeler was candidate for governor,
the Company supported Joe Dixon, the republican
didate for governor. Dixon of was elected.
In the campaign of 1920 Judge Erickson remained
regular. Henry Myers, now Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court then United States Senator, openly
went to the republicans and supported that ticket
vigorously denouncing Burton Wheeler as a dema-
gogue a red radical and a bolshevki, bent upon the
subversion of the republic Sen. Walsh got sick and
left the state not making speech for Wheeler. But
Judge Erickson of the few prominent democrats re-
manned regular supported Wheeler, and made by
Wheeler, his campaign manager
So, when Tin Plate Bill Brennan republican, pro-
posed Judge Erickson to John D. Ryan and Con Kelly
as the Democratic candidate for Governor he sin
cerey seconded by B. X. Wheeler.
Now when the shrewd old Bill Brennan, may his
soul rest in peace proposed Judge Erickson what
his argument-his reason-for his selection? 1t was
this Judge Erickson had the appearance and the dig
nifty He was safe and he amenabe and
could be controlled. He, Bill Brennan would voucf
for that and would attend to the matter-and finally
Judge Erickson Scandinavian.
Bill Brennan called Ryan and Kelly's attention t.
the fact that the dry farmer the honyocker they
called, that had swarmed into eastern Montan;
and filed the Scandinavian and repub
hcans. If the Company to control the state ant
elect its Governor it must take the facts into consd
sives. If the Company got behind Erickson and th
Democratic ticket, the Swedes of the east end cou
be lined up with the Irish of Butte and the Missouri
of the southwestern part of the state his election
was assured. Brennan pointed out how Erickson
corraed and held the Scandinavian vote of his dsrc
for Judge. Once Erickson elected, the Scandi
navians who more loyal to nationality than Z
party would line up and stay lined up for him.
Bill Brennan won-the argument good.
Judge Erickson filed for Governor on the Democrat
ic ticket in 1924 He nominated. That fall b
elected by small majority. The Scandinavia
vote was cultivated. 1t was circularized again an
again by the Company's best political writer's.
Every voter with Scandinavian name was write
to. scandinavian papers singing the glory of Judg
Erickson sent to every Scandinavian voter.
In 1928 it much easier Rankin of pioneer stoc
and native born against Gov Erickso
on the Republican ticket. He was not the compan
candidate-n fact he defeated the company candidate
Those who resented the open influence of the Compan
at the State House rallied behind the brilliant Rankin
The Company was scared because Erickson barely 81
cured the Democratic nomination, while Rankin N
ceived the Republican nomination by large majorit,