Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-10-05
TEIGAN SPEAKS
AT COUNTY SEAT
State Senator Reviews Rise of Pro.
gressive Observation-Disclosures Or
ganizes FL. Association.

er-Laborites at Pine City last Satur-
day evening, Senator H. G. Teigan OF
Minneapolis, reviewed the rise of the
progressive movement in Minnesota
over the past twenty years and
pointed out the necessity of organiza-
tion in order that progressive prin-
ciples might be further carried out
in the government of this state. The
veteran organizer told of the early
work of organizing the Non-partisan
League in North Dakota and how it
gradually spread into Minnesota and
eliminated in the formation of the
Farmer-Labor party which now held
important state offices.
The speaker stated that it was
much different now when meetings
were held than it was in the trying
days before the World war, for then,
when conducting meeting and advo-
eating things that are law today, a
speaker would often be interrupted
by an officer of the law and ques-
toned as to his loyalty to the govern
ment. Reactionaries are still in both
parties, said Mr.. Teigan, and it may
be expected that forces of wealth will
in the future, as in the past, seek
ways and means of electing their rep
resentatives to public office.
He mentioned the recent contest at
Mora for the establishment of mum
icipally owned electric plant and
stated that even after the people had
voted to do this, efforts are being
made by reactionary individuals to
thwart and delay the project.
Senator Teigan said that there is
no substantial difference in the plat
forms and principles of the two old
political parties. This is cearly
shown by the kind of record that most
Republicans and Democrats in Con-
gress have made during recent ses-
sions. Both political parties joined
hands in defeating the LaFcllette
public works bill during the 1881 ses-
sion, and they likewise joined hands
in opposing farm relief and other i'm
portant legislation.
what has been true in Congress
has likewise been true in the state
LEGISLATURE. The Democrats in oul
Legislature were just as reactionar!
as their Republican colleagues, 'ant
they were equally unfriendly to the
program of Governor Floyd B. Olson
You Farmer Laborites of Pine City
and vicinity are doing the wise thin:
to- 1ichin0 rrnif nf tho
Labor Association. By so doing you
will be preparing to carry on an of
fensive warfare against the candidate
of big business at the next genera
election. The Farmer-Labor Associa
ton is the live element within thu
Farmer-Labor party; it is in fact thu
organization of the workers of tn,
party. Every person here tonight VIII
is interested in victory for our caus'
should affiliate with the Farmer-Labo
Association"
Senator Teigan also urged that ev
/ cry member of the newly formed uni
of the association become a subscribe
of the Farmer-Labor Leader, the of
fetal organ of the Farmer-Labo
party.
Following Mr.. Teigan's address
Nels Hokstad of Sandstone, made ;
stirring talk in which he urged thos'
in attendance to form local Farmer
Labor Association in order to holt
the strength the movement ha
gained. Mr.. Hokstad is one of thos'
who remembers the difficulties me
in the early days of the Farmer-Labo
cause in Pine county.
| William Percy was called on for ;
| few words and spoke on the Farmers
Holiday movement. He stated that /
was very necessary for farmers to &c
together in politics in order that thei
economic welfare might be advanced
by political action. Farmers ar
united in the idea that they must d.
something to improve their economi
conditions, but this improvement Cal
come only as we have political lead
ers that will work for us, said MI
Percy.
E. J. Prochaska, county chairman