The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1937-09-16
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IEdited This Week by Victor A.
JohnstOn)


State Fair time in Minnesota
brings together people from all
parts OF the State and wherever
there is a large crowd Of voters
you can depend on finding politici-
clans Of all degrees. This years
fair was no exception and climax
ing the whole week as far as poll
ticians and political discussions
were concerned was legislative and
editorial day when office holders,
would be office holders, and former
office holders were busily engaged
in sounding out sentiment from
the rural editors and legislators
who were gathered from all parts
of the state.
This is supposed to be an off
year in politics, a time for quiet
maneuvering in preparation for the
election next year, but the situa-
ton is far from quiet-one would
almost think an election was to be
held this Fall.
Hjalmar Petersen Renews Attack
BY far the chief subject of dis
cussion was the 1888 governorship
race and this discussion revolved
around former Governor Hjalmar
Petersen, whose open break with
the farmer labor state committee
made headlines in the papers that
day and who was there in person
to back up his statements as quot
ed in the press.
The rift between Hjalmar Peter
sen and the state administration
group dates back to the 1896 Far
mer Labor Convention where Pet
ersen was given short treatment by
the office holding delegates who
nominated Governor Benson. Fol
lowing the convention an armed
truce seemed to be in effect but
underneath a surface quiet there
was increasing evidence of bitter
feeling. This feeling flared up on
several occasions during the past
six months when Petersen has
been frankly critical toward the
governors administration and free
in his attacks on what he calls the
Mexican Generals who he claims
dominate party affairs. Most prom
inent of those Petersen has assail-
ed are Abe j. Harris, editor Of the
Farmer Labor Leader, Art N. JAG.
obs, secretary to the speaker Of
the house, and Roger Rutchick,
secretary to the governor.
Apparently worried over Peter
sens frequent attacks on the state
administration and his supposed
plans to oppose Governor Benson
in next years election, party lead
ers sought to thresh out differences
between the two in a secret meet
ing last week, but their hopes for
peace were dashed when Petersen
turned them down fatty and be-
came even more outspoken in his
attacks.
Involved In the discussion was
the proposal that Petersen forget
his differences with the admins
tration now and wait for the par
tvs nomination for governor In
1910 when Benson, it Is said, hopes
to run for the United States Sem
ate. But these Establishments fell
on deaf ears so far as Hjalmar
was concerned.
IT am for the ideals and princi-
Piles Of this party" Petersen said.
Il stand for true democracy and
therefore am bitterly opposed to an
inside machine selecting candidates
for important public offices. will
make no agreement with people in
whom I have no confidence"
VIII Make No IDEALS"
Questioned about his attitude to-
ward the 1888 farmer labor conven-
ton which will endorse candi-
dates, Petersen declined to COM
NIT himself but did assail the 1885
state convention Of the association
which Endorsed Benson as having
been packed" and fatty refused
to enter into any IDEALS" with res
pect to next years convention.
IT stand back Of every word that
I have said" he told the commit
tee. "And IL the convention Of 1888
is a repetition Of 1885. certainly !
will have nothing to do with 1t.
shall not be bound by the dictates
Of the convention when its MEM
bership is composed Of delegates
made up Of state employees"
Finally Petersen said he would
consider talking things over with
Governor Benson, but that he
would not confer with Roger Rut-
chick, the governors secretary, Abe
Harris, editor Of the Leader. or Art
N. Jacobs. secretary to the speaker.