The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1937-08-05
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Edited This Week BY
HAROLD v. STARR
IeSueur News-Herald)
"Sideshow" Now Main Event


"Sideshow' Now Main Event
The preparation of political ammuni-
ton was the "SideShoW" provided while
regular and special sessions of the legis-
lature were on the scene. Now that
the lawmakers have finally gone home,
the Sideshow has become the main
event.
Two events of last week captured a
visiting newspaper mans interest at
once. The first was in the field OF
patronage, where one newspaper man
succeeded another as director of the
states tourist bureau. George Bradley
had won and held the confidence of the
states press, doing a good job OF pub
licizing Minnesota since his appoint
ment to the post by the late Governor
Floyd Olson some six years ago. Now
he is succeeded by Ed Shave, st. Paul
Daily News writer, who likewise enjoys
merited esteem among colleagues in
the craft. The question naturally arises
though-why should man who has
apparent cause? Appointment by Floyd
Olson ought to assure George Bradleys
credentials among those who give the
departed governors memory such lip
service. Yet talk among those render
ing the post norton" verdictS indi-
Gates that Mr.. Bradley wasn't sufficient
ly aggressive as personal, political
"leg man" for Governor Benson. Nc
newspaper man, or anyone else, is to
be envied the assignment of eXtolling
MinneSota's great resources if the job
of political errand boy for a partisan
clique comes first. Former Governor
Hjalmar Petersen had something to say
along that line when he spoke before
those veteran Leftists, the Saturday
Lunch Club in Minneapolis, week
ago. The merit system was the theme
of his address, and the Benson admins
tration's sobotaging of civil service re-
form during the legislative session, drew
deserved rebukes from the country edi.
tor who left the governors chair to be.
come Railroad and Warehouse Com.
missioner.
A Misuse of Power
The other event of the week drawing
a country newspaper mans attention
in particular was the cheap bit o.
political reprisal making one of thu
states oldest and best known news
papers it's victim. E. K. Bert) Whiting
of Owatonna has been running tn,
Journal Chronicle there for about A
of its rs years. This summer h,
changed from weekly to daily, and t.
make sure of the legality of required
official publications after the shift from
a weekly's status, legislators, as {
matter of course, passed minor cura
tive act that would take care of hi
situation. Governor Benson signed ever,
bill that reached him at the specia
sessions close, except one. He singlet
Iout this minor measure which grantee
a country paper only what it was en-
titled to, and gave it the pocket veto
by failing to attach his signature durin,
the period set-within three days of ad
journment.
Hidebound Farmer-LaooriteS il
southern Minnesota encouraged tn
governors action. Bert Whiting an,
his editor, Hugh Soper, have been fear
less in their comments on state politics
The Journal Chronicle has never pulle,
its punches in attacking what it ha
deemed wrong in the Farmer-Labo
record. For carrying on in the honore,
tradition of a free press, this news
paper was to suffer financial injury a
the hands of the governor of a state
1t is scarcely believable that anyon
elevated to the high position of chic
eXecutive should abuse the powe
granted him in order to satisfy a per
sonal or political grudge, but that i
the only possible explanation of thi
bit of gubernatorial smallness. For
tunately the Owatonna paper will con
tinue publishing the legals despite tn
governor, maintaining Thursday issue
on the same basis as the former weekl
editions. The whole incident EN-
phasizes one question: Whose governo
is man after taking the oath of of
fice-his party's or the whole states?
The Reticent Mr.. Farley
Jim Farley, on his visit to Minnesota
left few questions unanswered in tina
he failed to recognize the Farmer
Labor party, and said nothing to en-
courage their support in the future HI
Iseems to have left Pat Delaney in tn
dark, as to being recognized for hi
dropping out of the picture as candi
date for senator at the last election
What about Democratic organiza
ton in, Minnesota? Mr.. Farley mad,
no statement as to whether Minnesots
would have democratic party in tn,
future or not, other than Elmer j. Ryan
who is the only one from the state IL
Congress.
"Three Little Words
The governor missed a splendid