Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-04-25
A COURAGEOUS MAN

the American appreciates a good eX-
change of views therein. OF late the
column has been used more extensive
ly and that is encouraging. Exchange
of views makes for more knowledge
of public affairs and in general builds
more understanding. Give the people
light and they will find their way.
In the last issue Viggo Justesen,
superintendent of the Askov public
rather spicy article. 1t is the kind
that sets people to thinking, and when
folks are thinking, they are develop
ing. There was however, a statement
or two in his article that we would
like to dwell upon little.
Writing about Floyd b. Olson, the
fighting county attorney of Hennepin
county, who is cleaning up irregulari-
ties in the city council of Minneapo-
lis and who had been referred to as
good senatorial timber by another
writer in the Opinions of Others -
Mr.. Justesen says: IF am not mis-
taken, it is the duty of county at
torney to prosecute criminals. Ger
tainly because a man does his duty is
no sign he is senatorial timber
1t really doesn't take great deal of
courage to do ones duty when there
is big group behind him and there
are quite a few votes in that direc-
ton"
Certainly, it is the duty of a county
attorney to prosecute criminals. And
further it is the duty of every citizen
to be law-abiding. But are we all liv-
ing up to those duties? We should, of
course, but there is always more or
less struggling of shoulders and de-
sire to avoid trouble. Therefore when
We see an officer who is strict and
stern and lets the chips fall wherever
they may, we cannot help but admire
him. He is the kind to keep in pub
lie life and if he can be elevated to a
position of more influence it is only
natural that such should be done.
The writer has not talked to Floyd B.
Olson about it, but if he should have
desire to become governor of the
state or United States senator from
Minnesota, it occurs to US that it is
only a human instinct and very ma
tural Folks tried to get him to file
for governor in 1928 but he refused,
so it appears that he is not so overly
anxious. At any rate he is not going
into the contest for a higher office
nnlnsS fhnrn ic 4
back of it and he is given strong sup
port
The fact that Mr.. Olson is doing his
duty as county attorney shows real
courage, and not only that. but it
shows that he has good record him
self. The fact that some officers have
little shady record themselves is
often what keeps them from doing
their duty. If Mr.. Olson's personal
record was not what it should be
we could be certain that there would
be regular roar-back from those
who are now getting their fingers
burnt. And don't forget that there are
strong influences among the lawbreak-
ers and that those influences will be
used against Mr.. Olson if he becomes
candidate for either United States
senator or governor in 1880. True,
he will have support by those who ad-
mire his stand and courage and those
who appreciate militant officers that
stand for what is right. They will
vote for him, and yet many will turn
away because he is a progressive, and
give their vote to a reactionary who
puts up nice appearance and gives
good plausible talk. But will those
who like Mr.. Olson and his good ac-
complishments do as much work for
him in an election as the lawbreak-
ers will do against him? Oh, yes,
it requires backbone and courage to
do what Mr.. Olson is doing, when he
and his assistant, Joseph Poirier, are
receiving anonymous letters to 'lay
Off"
Doing his duty such as the Henne-
pin county attorney is doing is in
other words being outspoken. There
are enough of the wishy-washy type.
Lawmakers or peace officers who
never put anything of Importance in
print-black on white-are the kind
who usually have something to cover
up. They are afraid to come out in
the open for fear of attack OF course
there are also the kind who blare out
at any and all times-whose records
are such that they can't be made
worse regardless of how much pub
licity they get. But beware of the
type who never put anything definite
black on white. They are not work
ing in behalf of the public or they
would not have to be so quiet. Pussy
footers will never be statesmen. Men
of Abraham Lincoln's type are not
pussy-foOters. All can not be as big a.
the great emancipation, but there is a
noble example to follow for men and
women in smaller fields.
While on the subject of some poll
tics also, we might mention here il
would seem to us that if Floyd B
Olson cares to be a candidate for q
higher office in 1880, it should be that
of governor and not United States
senator AS will he rememhered~ he