The Redwood gazette., 1938-11-17
THE 'IsMs" OF THE DAY ARE

If1E ''lSMS' OF lf1E DA1 AM "A
first rate topic for political campaigns but
the danger in this country is not the in
fuence of foreign forms of government.
Democracy's worry is the influence which
men in office attempt to WELD over persons
whose support comes from the nation, but
who are led to believe that they are depend
ent upon the success of the political party in
power.
We have always had the government
payroll vote, the spoils system advantage
given the party in power. 1t not only is
growing class, but in many instances is TAX
ing more open part in political affairs.
This advantage has often been over
come in our history, by Republicans in some
instances and Democrats in others. But if
by their scheming, politicians ever succeed
in controlling the votes of two newer and
greater factions, those on relief and persons
receiving pensions, two party government
may become thing of the past. F..
We have generally supported the work
programs of the federal government and
heartily applaud rehabilitation projects
wherever attempted on workable basis. We
feel pension legislation was long overdue
and defend the obligation of the government
to adequately maintain persons past the age
of earning with no other place to turn for
life's needs.
But we object strenuously to either be-
ing made political football These pro-
grams are undertaken with more sincere
purposes, we assume than to attract polite
al followers. They are not party programs
but humanitarian enterprises subscribed to
by the entire nation. If we are to maintain
good government through the years, obliga-
tions to a political party must not be at
nf01y of vIyIfh
form of government aid.
HUSKING CONTESTS ARE A STRICT
ly corn belt institution but the fame of win
ners is not confined to localities which pro-
duce corn. Howard P. Sanders sent us the
following clipping from the St. Petersburg,
Florida, Sunday Times of November 6. 1t
was headed King Balko.'
Out in the wide open spaces of the corn
country, where men and husking the
tall maize is a pastime we'll strenuous
occupation for the husky tillers of the soil,
they have crowned new champion. Or rather,
bestowed second crown former king of
corn huskers
He is Ted Balko who halls from Redwood
Falls, Mimi, and by the sweat of his brow he
has regained his laurels in competition with
20 other stalwarts entered in the national
championship at Sioux Falls, S. D. He won
before in 1888.
Corn husking, as these horny-handed sons
OF toll do, is not sissy sport In fact, strong
back, work-toughened hands, keen eye and
the ability to take plenty of punishment in
shipping off the husks SO only the clean gold
en- ear remains, requisites of this kind of
recreation
1t is hard, high-speed, sustained work, and
no slick city feller would stand a chance
against the husky young giants who annually
strive for the national title. Nor is royal raj
ment for the king husker. Work pants and
shoes constitute his garb, as, stripped to the
waist he cuts his way through the standing
rows of corn. 1t is picturesque and typically
American institution, this hus<ing competition,
and the chap who wins usually gains eminence
only by lot of hot and honest toll.
If you don't think so, just try to pick and
husk 40 bushels more of corn without stop
ping to wipe the sweat from your brow
So. hail to King Ball1o, monarch of the
corn fields, and Americas new champ in a
he-mans sport!