Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-12
FL. PRESS SERVICE
By H. G. TEIGAN

restore party designation to legislative
candidates, and another to establish
party conventions On the other hand
it is also proposed to eliminate party
designation from all candidates for
state offices.
What the chances are of any oil
these bills becoming law is difficult
at this time to predict. That the non
partisan scheme of electing all state
officers is not likely to be passed,
seems certain. This measure is spon-
sored by state senator Victor E. Law
son of Willmar.
Mr.. Lawson has been a champion OF
nonpartisan elections for many years
past. He has introduced similar bills
at previous sessions and his sincerity
in the matter is beyond question.
In the present instance, Senator
Lawson has received Senator Ship
stead's endorsement for the measure.
In a recent letter to the senator from
Kandiyohi, Shipstead not only ap-
proves of nonpartisanship in state
elections, but also takes smash at
ventions and to put the legislature
back on a partisan basis.
Shipstead Arraigns Opponents.
Speaking of party conventions and
party designation of candidates, Sem
ator Shipstead says:
The legalizing of state party con-
ventions and return of party designa-
ton of candidates for office in the
legislature, county and municipal Of
fees, is a step so backward and re-
dictionary that / am surprised that
anyone who calls himself a progress
sive should have the effrontery to
vote in favor of this legislation. What
ever its purpose may be, it can only
result in DISTINGUISHING the independ-
ent voter and eliminating the intelli-
gent and Independent public official
and restore control of public officials
by the politicians who control the ma
chine of parties"
The senator comedies that in years
gone by the convention possessed
merit, but that since conditions have
changed there is no longer justifica-
ton for the convention scheme. He
also speaks of the convention bill
which he, together with Edward In
drehus of Benton and Martin w. Cd
land of Otter Tail, introduced in the
Minnesota legislature in 1917. "The
bill provided that instead of the old
caucus dominated by pie counter poll
ticians, there would be a primary
where all voters could go and vote for
delegates to a state convention. This
left the choice of delegates in the
hands of the people,"
No Re.establishment of Caucus.
That is just the point. Those who
propose the establishment of party
conventions today have no idea OF
going back to the caucus system OF
electing delegates. The weakness OF
the old convention was not in the con-
vention it self, but in the caucus sys-
tenn of choosing delegates. In the
writer's opinion such a convention
scheme as that proposed by Shipstead,
Odland and Indrehus possesses much
of merit and is several jumps ahead
of the present primary system.
As for the nonpartisan scheme of
electing legislators, it should be elm
mated Immediately. Voting should be
made simple. The voter should not
be required to memorize large num-
Der of names of persons before going
to the polls. Every voter should in
form himself on the principles of the
several political parties and then he
should go into the election booth and
vote for those candidates carrying his
party designation.
NOnpartfsan League spent 100000.
To attack the party system is tc
attack political organization. The
Nonpartisan League, though DISCUS
ing itself as Republican movement
in this state, was for all practical pur-
poses, party. Much money was spent
by the League in behalf of its candi-
dates. In the two campaigns Of 1920
more than a hundred thousand dol
lars was spent in behalf of the state
and congressional slate headed by DR.
Henrik Shipstead.
In this connection it is well to re-
call that the Farmer-Labor state con-
vention last March went on record in
favor of restoring partisan designa-
ton to legislative candidates. Nc
stand was, however, taken in respect
to party conventions. Minnesota is
the only state in the Union that enjoys
the unenviable distinction of electins
Legislators on the catch-as-catch-caI
basis of nonpartisanship.
Condemns Senate ReactiOnaries.
The Minneapolis Saturday Lunch
club has resolved itself into a more
than passive body in respect to legis-
lative matters. A committee repre-
senting the club will make reports and
issue bulletins from time to time on
important matters before the legisla-
ture. One such report has already
been made.
This first report deals with the ole
guard senators depriving Lieutenant