Blasts in the Northwest

Minnesota for years was ruled by Republicans. Later Farmer-Laborites rose to power. Finally the Renaissance of 1932 brought Democrats back as serious contenders. Last week Minnesota held primaries for all three political faiths. Republicans trailed badly in the number of primary votes cast. Democrats polled their largest primary vote on record. Conservatives in Minnesota hoped the two parties would unite to fight the potent Farmer-Laborites who provided the drama in last week's balloting.

Farmer-Labor's blatant Governor Olson, who talks more radically then he acts, easily won renomination with approximately 75,000 more votes than he polled in 1932's primary. Farmer-Labor's softspoken, duck-hunting dentist, Senator Henrik Shipstead, was seeking renomination against Representative Francis ("Only Ex-Convict In Congress") Shoemaker. While the dignified, gentle Farmer-Laborite Senator remained in Washington until Congress adjourned, made no campaign, his obstreperous opponent filled the Minnesota air with sound and fury. On the stump Candidate Shoemaker poured vitriol on everyone within reach. He was arrested in shirtsleeves, swinging a broomstick, during Minneapolis' truck strike riots. When the vote was counted last week quiet Radical Shipstead had beaten loud Radical Shoemaker no less than 3 to 1. The blatancy of Mr. Shoemaker had been too much for even Minnesota's Farmer-Laborites. Moreover, he had found in the editor of the Hibbing, Minn. Tribune (Republican) a man who could outShoemaker Shoemaker. In the final days of the campaign the editor wrote:

"Smoking is a dirty habit, cudchewing is a loathsome one, and Hibbing's congressman, F. H. Shoemaker, is both. In fact Hibbing's congressman is a disease. . . .

"A small knot of Hibbing citizens stood on a Hibbing street corner one day this week and let Hibbing's congressman puke all over them for an hour or so. According to this idol of Hibbing's heart there is nothing good under the sun; certainly there is a mean poverty of good in this creature's heart. . . .

". . . According to press reports, Hibbing's congressman declared that President Roosevelt is a goofus bird that does not care in which direction it flies so long as it keeps on flying. Hibbing's congressman is a buzzard that flies about looking for carrion. . . ."

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