Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-10
TO FOLKS BACK HOME

Minnesota voters who want to as
sure the passage of liberal legislation
for the benefit of the great mass Of
people of the state as against the
small groups of vested interests will
do we'll to keep a close watch on the
present Legislature. With the con-
troll Of both houses seized by the con-
servatives the battle for progressive
laws to meet the demands imposed
upon government by unemployment,
the distress of the farmers, and other
depression factors becomes more
difficult one
But nevertheless it is no time for
the liberals of this state to lose hope.
Even in the face of conservative ma
jorities in both houses it is still pos
sible to win the enactment of laws
that will advance the welfare of the
people. Both houses still contain
sizeable forces of liberals, and these
are standing their ground firmly.
They are ready to press the fight
for progressive legislation, and they
have on their side the veto power of
Governor Olson.
In neither house do the conserva-
Quired to override the governors
veto. This means that reactionary
leaders have no chance of jamming
through, over the governors veto,
measures which he and the liberal
legislators consider inimical to the
interests of the people of the state.
1t means that special discriminatory
legislation which some reactionaries
might try to pass in favor of special
vested interests will be killed. 1t
also means that the liberals, though
in the minority, will always be a
force to be reckoned with and that
the reactionaries must yield to them
and vote for the adoption of some
of the liberals measures.
Just how many of these measures
will be passed depends not only upon
the liberal legislators and the chief
executive but upon the people back
home as well. For If the folks at
home demand progressive legislation
for the relief of farmers and the
unemployed, for greater economic Sc
curity for the average man-and de-
mand it hard enough their represent
tatives in the Legislature must heed
them.
And so it is up to the folks back
home to back up the liberal legisla-
tors and force the conservatives to
swing in line for the desired meas
ures. Let them watch carefully to
see whether senators or representa-
tives are taking a side opposed to the
welfare of the people. Let them bring
pressure at once upon these legisla-
tors to convince them of the impor-
lance of passing desirable legislation
and opposing that which is undesir-
able.
This counsel particularly applies
to voters in districts which were car
ried by Governor Olson and other
Farmer-Labor candidates but where
certain legislators, winning election
without party labels, have cast their
lot with the conservative forces DOM
mated by the Old Guard leaders.
Though the voters in these districts
signified their approval Of liberal gov
eminent by voting for Governor Olson
and other Farmer-Labor candidates.
these certain legislators have chosen
to disregard the voters and align
themselves with the conservatives.
And it is up to the folks back home
to back up the governor and the lib
eral Legislators and to bring pressure
upon those who have chosen to ig-
more the sentiment of their constitu-
ents by lining up with the conserva
tiveS