Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-12-26
TOM SCHALL

Life is uncertain and great changes
happen very suddenly.
That was brought home forcibly to
the people of Minnesota as we'll as
the nation the past week in the death
OF United States Senator Thomas d.
Schall.
Overnight it changes the political
picture in the 1886 campaign so far
as Minnesota is concerned.
Again it brings to mind that the
automobile is a death dealing instru-
ment and that more care must be ex-
ercised on the part Of all citizens in
the operation of the modern machine
which has brought health. happiness,
greater environment, but also destruc-
tion of human lives.
Tom Schall was an outstanding
character in many ways, and GER
tainly a fighter who would not give
up. Several times during his polit-
ical career folks have thought that
now Schall is all through. but up he
would bob again. put on campaign
that was second to none, with tireless
returned victor.
This newspaper has not supported
Tom Schall in his political campaigns
for the simple reason that expediency
more than principles, and personal
ities more than general welfare
seemed to predominant. But the man
is gone and differences now are futile.
We have. however, on many occa-
sions marveled at his ruggedness, his
ability to give and take, and his de-
termination to overcome the great
handicap of blindness. At about the
age of 30 he lost TIE sight of both eyes
through the explosion of cigar
lighter He continued his law prac-
tice and in few years entered pub
lie life as a candidate for represen-
tative in Congress on the Republican
ticket in the newly constituted Tenth
district Of which Pine county was a
part. That was in 1914. the same year
as this newspaper was established.
Part of the city of Minneapolis in
which Mr.. Schall resided was in the
Tenth district.
Schall's plurality vote in 1914 was
1.403. In 1916 he had 6.526 votes to
the good: in 1918 the plurality was
1882: in 1920. 36.3S1; and in 1929
he had the phenomenal plurality Of
40.5S1 in his fifth and last run for
representative in Congress.
In 1924 he won out for the United
States Senate by the narrow margin
OF 7.94S over Magnus Johnson. Then
1t was thought by many that Schall
had been elected for the last time
but he came back strong and untiring
again in 1880. winning over Einar
Hoidale. the Democrat. by the narrow
margin OF 11.60S in total Of approx
imately million votes.
Perhaps the biggest surprise that
Schall gave the citizens of Minnesota
was in the primary election OF 1924
when he administered a drubbing to
the then Governor Theodore Chris
tianson to gain the Republican NOM
ination to the Senate seat. Mr..
Christianson had been heralded as
the economy governor but Schall took
on all corners and gave good DEM
onstration Of his ability as a cam
paigner. rendering in that setto what
was known rs a terrible political beat
ing. 1t required some time for Chris
tianson to recover from the ordeal
The loss of sight appeared to be
Schalls only physical weakness. but
his life's companion. his good wife
was his eyes. She was ever helpful
and attentive to his needs. holding
his hand as life finally ebbed out Sun
day following the automobile accident
OF last Thursday.