Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-09-14
Political Machines And
Their Destructive Forces
By HJALMAR PETERSEN


be preferred form of dictatorship Americans almost
unanimously agree this do also the people many
smaller European countries who entitled much credit for
having resisted to the extent that they have the of die
tatorship around them
appeared recently periodical which
pictures of those weak spots of democracy namely the
political machine The story features the prevailing seup
the of Louisiana, originated by the designing of
the late Senator Huey Long spectacular great
Snowman.
machine henchmen shouted for program of
share the wealth. others talked against (Which
later put over and generally they pictured of milk and
honey subsequent
less interested sharing than getting wealth. They
not take seriously what their say What interests
the bosses enough elections they may
the muccoveted They look upon public Office
public trust, but opportunity for private gain.
1t will be remembered that during the
Minnesota Legislature of Huey Longs the
Gerald L. K Smith, to the Gopher state and delivered
his political pep talks before the lawmakers In the midst of
his rambling from the price of strawberries to the burden of
aon he shouted To those who respect and
religion, his performance decidedly distastefu.
Huey Long had power to be governor and United
States and his assassination used by the politicians
to herd his admirers along their desired They talked
investigations and dwet sacred memories right the
day of election They could camouage in Louisiana
cunningy Tammany Hail. the Pendergast of
Kansas City the playground of other political organ
Zaon.
powerful political machine gains an awful grip on the
lives of thousands of citizens who get into clutches Some
those perhaps to be ped than
In it eXpedien to bow the will of the
times in disaster However, if honest people feel they
have been rcked they in revolt against the leadership
lacking integrity The machine goes down whether the control
lis in the hands of one
Leaders of political machine will arrange for labor
strikes racket for effect but when justice delayed
and the people realize that they being used only to vote and
pay the bills they protest vigorously When they detect
the American voters act with great resentment against
hypocrisy
machines bob up thrive longest sections
where civic lacking percentage
is
deph New Orleans and Kansas City, apparently have been
fertile ground for their manpulatons but later the
political shared For four federal agents
the trail of Boss Penderga for his part in an racket
His machine busted, and he paying the penalty
the credit of states like Minnesota, Wscon
the Dakoas and others that political machines built
here demolished The intelligence of the
Northwest and his conception of fundamental American
democracy does for long his being roped in by
ltricksters.
politcs-the machine varety-s not confined to any
political party The Democrats of the Repub
another be in the grip the machine The selfish
greedy politician respecter of party label Little
does called Republican, Democrat anything
else long he gets what he In the class the
official elected for his promises who views
appointments much from the standpoint of public service
greater patronage for Strengthening his
chine with consequent self-advancement
While democracy with shortcomings much to be
preferred dictatorship the people guard against
affairs Eternal vigilance the
of liberty Machine politics. the selout of in public
office Capitalization of wealth factors that lead to die
tatorsp Demagogues who have hoWled better conditions o
the possess the lust for do mutimilon-
aires After all is the character of the individual that most
important Ability and experience necessary but without
conscience, know not whittier drifting.
Because government democracy usually is better
than the average of the people, important that the
people, dangers that threaten and that under
the workings cunning sefseeng politicians The gen.
public welfare always be minds we
kind government desired 1t duty
interested because affects ALL To create
uphold good and guard against the
we must something about how machine politics operate
Therefore, recommended that the following article about
politics be carefully read for serious reflection
HERITAGE
Ihioe VI VIM WIN - Allen A. Niche
liz refinement WAC given marty