The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1938-06-09
THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN is ANUS.

ing from the sidelineS but must be rather
dlScouraging for the Republican and Demo-
crat candidates who are so actively trying to
attract the spotlight Hjalmar Petersen stole
when he challenged Governor Benson in
primary fight. Talk to any candidates other
than Farmer-Laborites and they're worry
ing not about how many votes their Oppon-
entS are going to get but that Hjalmar and
Elmer will attract all the voters over onto
the FL side of the ballot, including their
most loyal supporters.
RIGHT HERE 1T MAY BE WELL TO
warn those voters not yet thoroughly fami-
liar with the consolidated primary ballot"
adopted several years ago to get around the
necessity of the voter declaring his party
affiliation at the polls, that any crossing the
lines dividing the three parties makes the
ballot eligible for the ashcan. One can not
vote fo- Hjalmar and then jump over among
the Democrat or Republican candidates and
mark several choices. 1t isn't until the fall
election that the man who votes for the man
and not the party really has that privilege.
WHETHER HE WINS THE NoMIN-
alton or not, Hjalmar must be credited with
most of the interest in the state primary.
The Republican and Democrat lists contain
no contests exciting enough to bring out the
occasional voter. Whether Nelson or Stas-
sen will win the Republican primary, or
Schilplin or Anderson the Democrat, or any
of their several opponents, hasn't aroused
any great excitement outside their imme-
diate circles of friends. The ACKNOWLEDGMENT
scrap interests not only Farmer-Laborites
but great many voters who are going to
jump over and help decide it.
BENSONITES HAVEN'T BEEN MUCH
alarmed until recently but their worries are
attested by the fact that Tom Davis was en-
gagged to ''stir' the voters. Local commit
teemen, some Of whom were on the fence,
have been told NOW or never" and are in
the fray with sleeves rolled up in many in
stances. ~.. .s=- ''a
HJALMAR'S BIGGEST HANDICAP is
his inability to put over his ideas before
crowd. He can deliver message forcibly
to the size audience which generally gathers
around conference table but before mi
crophone he is at decided disadvantage
A "fireside chat" technique and enough fin
ancial backing to go before the voters sew
eral times over the air would practically as
sure his nomination, if anybody listens to
political radio speeches any more?
.
BENSON'S CAMPAIGN MANAGERS
missed the boat on at least pair of occa-
SionS. Had the convention taken a firm
stand on the Communist influence matter,
few labor votes would have been alienated
because there is no place for them to go, and
the farmer division of the party would have
been treasured. AS it stands the influence
of radical labor leaders in party circles,
working at cross purposes with farmers in
terests, will take a toll of rural votes as we'll
as that part of the labor vote not fully in
no of
casion was when the governor undertook to
blame the conservative senate for blocking
considerable costly liberal legislation and at
the same time claimed credit for reduction
in the state tax levy. Not spending and not
taxing still go hand in hand.
THE STATEMENT Is MADE THAT
those yelling the loudest for Hjalmar Peter
sen are disgruntled former office holders.
Isn't the reverse true that Benson's most
ardent supporters are fellows on the state
payroll or with hopes of getting on?
AFTER ITS IOWA EXPERIENCE
the national administration isn't likely to
interfere in Minnesota, or be asked to give
its nod. Christgaus dismissal on Benson
demands and the filing of Victor Anderson
have been construed as meaning the new
dealers are riding both horses at once.
IF ALL THE MONEY SPENT TO
send out releases" about candidates, par
ticularly about their radio talks, was spent
for advertising the office wastebasket would
be empty instead of the cash drawer.
ELEVEN MORE DAYS AND ABOUT
half the candidates for county offices will
be in position to furnish free estimates on
the number of liars there are in the county.
A CIVIC-MINDED YOUNG CITIZEN
suggested in the office last week that next
year we have ''dandelion day" at the
cemetery, preferably just before Memorial
day, and get everyone to do some digging.
Some organization could earn considerable
credit by taking ON the project.
IN QUOTING A MINNEAPOLIS
Journal headline, mosquitoes thrive on
warmth fellow editor suggests it would
MT be bad if that was all they thrived on.
THIS MONTH 1T RAINED ON THE
lust and the unjust, but the unjust probably