Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1938-08-04
Petersen p oints Out
Facts In Campaign
Continued from Page ~,

Democratic newspapers wanted the
inside political machine broken. That
is the fight l was making. However
the Governor got as much publicity
and perhaps more than I, in those
newspapers. Political writers brought
out time and again that it might
be possible for Petersen to win, but
it seemed hardly probable. One po-
litical writer even stated that it would
be miracle" if Petersen won
against the powerful machine.
Would Have no Strings Attached.
The machine had the money to
keep betting odds strongly in their
favor, though it was a close contest.
| Newspapers discounting my chances
for success, and betting odds against
me, naturally had an adverse psyche
logical effect.
l have repeatedly said that if go
to the Governors office, it will be
only as a free man. Whether Gov
ernor is a tool of wealth or tool of
political machine makes little diff
ference. My promise in the campaign
was good government. No other
obligations.
On account of so much conniving,
manipulating and skullduggery in
our politics, we have here in this state
got into the habit of spending large
sums of money in political campaigns.
l understand you spend far less in
Wisconsin campaigns and that is to
your credit. Spells and desire for
certain types of legislation make for
huge campaign expenditures.
If you get only the Minnesota Lead
er story about Farmer-Labor activ-
tiles in Minnesota, and perhaps cam
paign speeches like those of Tom
Davis, the most notorious turncoat in
Minnesota politics, you will of course
be inclined to think that am party
wrecker and traitor.
Advises More knowledge.
Before the Wisconsin Progressive
does any more writing for republi-
cation in the Minnesota Leader, it
might be we'll for you to learn more
about politics in Minnesota. You
know the history of Tammany Hall
in New York Liberals often talk
against the undue influence and pow
err of wealth, and rightly so, when
it represents monopoly. If true to
our principles, should we then con-
done meal ticket coercion, intimida-
ton and other un-American practices?
Your father brought about civil
service in Wisconsin over 80 years
ago. I urged the adoption of civil
service in Minnesota as one of my
proposed reforms, and during the
1887 legislative session I challenged
the Farmer-Labor controlled House
to carry out our platform pledge on
the merit system. One of your IA
theirs chief claims to everlasting
credit in the minds of all liberals was
the destruction of nefariouS political
machine in his own party in Wiscon-
sin. That is precisely the fight l am
making here in Minnesota.
1t has been my understanding that
throughout LaFollette administra-
tions there have been no scandals, a
credit to you, your brother and your
late illustriouS father. That goal OF
good government is what am work.
ing toward through the Farmer-Labor
party in Minnesota. In that effort
am joined by thousands of other
Farmer-Laborites.. Our party must
be better than other political parties
we set out to supplant or we have no
reason for existence.
Though liberals and progressives
have upheld the primary election
ever since its inception, the Farmer
Labor party bosses who have so much
at stake lead their unsuspecting fol-
lowers to think it is crime to file
for nomination against convention
endorsee.
| Our Peoples Own Business.
cannot understand why you
should come to Minnesota and take
part in contest for nomination with
in the Farmer-Labor party. It is
| quite another matter after nominees
are made known in the primary cleo
ton, though 1 may add, have never
been so keen for politicians chasing
from one state to another to tell the
people who to vote for, especially as
regards state offices. It may be diff
ferent in Congressional contests, ma
tional affairs.
| You will remember that while
was Governor in the fall and early
winter of 1886, was confronted with
strike of truck drivers and mill
workers in the city of Minneapolis.
After a few weeks deIiberation, the
strike was amicably adjusted. Fol-
lowing that you called me over the
telephone from Madison to express
appreciation of my handling of the
strike. Up to that time you had
likely heard nothing against my rec
ord as a liberal or progressive.
| 1 have served as a state represen-
tative, Acknowledgements, Governor,
and now railroad and warehouse COM
missioner. My record was always
| oopc;IoroJ oil WIGHT until T fOOLr I'm