The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1939-09-21
County Chairman

with the United States as a possible
participant, is not without its head
aches or the king makers and the
political minded generally. With the
future naturally largely speculative
at this early date, those concerned
with the political affairs of both
state and nation are not unmindful
of the political difficulties featur-
ing the last world conflict in which
Uncle Sam was a compelling in
fluence and the strenuous efforts
of party heads of the period to
maintain a patriotic even keel.
Party lines at times were almost
obliterated, and men gave their all
to the common good despite the
urge to rule politically. That was
% years ago, or to be exact, April
6, 1917, and since then much poll
teal water has passed under the
wheel. Then, as now, a Democrat,
Woodrow Wilson, was at the ma
tons helm; while in Minnesota
Republican, j. A. A. Burnquist, now
attorney general, was the states
war governor. If the United States
does enter the conflict at any time
between now and 1910 Gov. Harold
E. Stassen, the present youthful
Chief Executive will enjoy a like
honor, if such it can be called. Dur
ing the two years in which America
was a participant, thousands of
political corpses were strewn in it's
wake and Minnesota was not with
out the quota. Many were later
added. Even Joe Burnquist, the
then war governor had his troubles.
Following his second and last term
as governor, his every effort at a
come back was thwarted and it was
only in 1888 that his desire for an
other state wide office was honor
ed. Joe tried to do right, but q
newly created state war department
with extraordinary statewide pow
ers baked him on all fronts and
left much bitterness in it's back
wash. Yes, the future is packed
with much food for political thought
and the anxiety of the various par
ty heads is not to be wondered at.
With state COP. chiefs extreme
ly anxious to return Minnesota to
the Republican column in a nation
al way, the present European war
situation is of more than ordinary
interest and developments are be-
ing watched closely. Democrats of
the organization type run to the
belief that whatever happens will
rebound to the credit of President
Roosevelt or a candidate of his
choosing while on the other hand
Republican party heads, like Re-
publican National Committeeman
Roy E. Dunn, vision the Washing
ton dynasty as on its way out with
the Gopher State leading in the
movement. Still another group,
mostly Democratic in politics, are
of the opinion that the Presidents
Santa Claus activities will do the
trick. The group mentioned Is not
entirely enamored of some Of the
Roosevelt policies, and may not
vote for him, but they claim to
know many of rural Minnesota who
will. So make your own guess and
pray long and fervently for its full
fillment.
How, in view of the COP. land
slide Of a year ago, Minnesota can
go anything but solidly Republican
in 1910 is beyond the reasoning of
many Republican heads. With the
FL menace practically out of the
picture they are firm in the belief
that a split between the national
and state tickets is no longer to be
feared and that in the next election
their convictions will be realized.
At the annual state fair legislative
get-together in St. Paul last week
this feature of the 1910 state cam
paign was heavily discussed and
varied opinions advanced as to the
possible outcome. Incidently there
was a reported burying of the
Ratchet as between the administra-
ton and many of the legislators
on the question of patronage dis
tribution. Gov. Stassen was pres
ent and so were a number of Re-
publican high-ups.
If talked-of 1910 candidates for
the several party nominations for
United States senator to succeed
Henrik Shipstead continue to in
crease, the list will be formidable
one when the time to file arrives.
Even the Farmer-Labor party ex-
poets to be in the contest with both
feet and it is not entirely unit
for Shipstead either. State Sena-
tor George H. Lommen and Paul