Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-06-27
THOSE JOBS

tnlru party pOlltlcdl movement |
such as we have here i'm the state Of
Minnesota in the Farmer-Labor party |
does not deserve the right to exist |
unless it offers and produces some |
thing better for the masses than that
offered by older political parties.
That the new political movement in
this state has done much to provoke
thought and more interest in govern
ment on the part of the voters and
taxpayers, generally speaking, can
hardly be disputed. The program and
the platforms of the new party have
been outstanding when compared with
the program and platforms Of con-
sentative parties. The bills intro
duced in the Legislature by members
of this new party and their work in
general has shown a crusading spirit.
To be sure, the members have not al
ways been successful in having legiS-
latiOn beneficial to the masses en-
acted into law but they have clearly
demonstrated i'm what direction they
are going and what is their purpose.
The cause for net having more of
Their llDtI dl pIOSIdhl lHto IA"
has been shortage of members of their
political faith. They have been out
voted on most occasions in the State
Legislature.
The first important victory Of the
progressives in Minnesota was when
Henrik Shipstead was elected United
States senator in 1922. The follow
To- ok
elected to the highest law making
body in the country-to fill out an
unexpired term. The big state vic
tory came in the election of 1880
when Floyd B. Olson was elected gov
ernOr on the third party ticket.
Prior to the senatorial victory i'm
1922 there had been some victories by
the late and courageous liberal lead
er. Congressman Lindhergh.
The liberal membership in the Leg
islature was also growing but there
was no majority elected even when
Olson won the election of 1880, nor
have the liberals since attained
majority in either branch of the Min
nesota Legislature.
party. in 1880. there has been cOnsid-
cradle discussion in newspapers and
amongst politicians and other citizens
about political patronage. The old
saying is that ito the victor belongs
the spoils'' and that is generally
carried out by most political parties.
The complaint within the Farmer
l.. hot ha 70
has not been carried out as much as
desired.
Political patronage can be carried
too far and is carried too far when
man or woman receives a political
appointment. largely because he or
she is good party worker. On the
other hand deserving party workers.
able to fill the positions they seek.
should certainly not be left out in the
cold and laughed at by others hold
ing the jobs who have never been
workers in the movement-in fact
detrimental to the movement.
A real technical position is a diff
ferent thing. That might include an
engineer. a bridge builder. doctor OF
uo>toi VI
philosophy, forester. a person learned
in constitutional law. or an expert In
child welfare.
When a person has gone through
high school. college. or university
and is making life study of GER
tain profession he should not be
thrown out of work at the whims ant
fancies of political party CAPTAINS. |
the person devotes his time and en-
ergy to his profeSsion-the position
to which he has been appointed-an'
engages in no political activity. i
would seem that he should be per
mitted to remain in the position a
long as he is doing good and effectiv
work. On the other hand if too in
tereSted in politics and he is helpin
to undermine the administration 10
which he is working. secretly contri
buting TO another political party an
working for the return to power c
that party. then he should have tn
boot the sooner the better.
There are plenty of men With
the Farmer-Labor party who can n
positions in the most common roa
construction work to the highest tect
meal position in the state. 1t is a
insult TO a strong third party ma
who has been a crusader for year