The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, January 6, 1916, Page 10

TEN AT YoubceHevemr airness Political manipulations in the early days placed the capital of the . State of North Dakota at Bismarck. The people of the state have never ‘had an opportunity to voice their sentiments as to where they preferred to have the seat of government, which we Dbelieve is. manjfestly unfair, ;:as the people and not the politicians ray the taxes for the carrying on of the government’s business. While in the early days Bismarck was as accessible as any point in the state, cond.itions have -changed: The cen- tral part of the state has developed-to a greater degree than any other portion of our great commonwealth, until now over eighty per cent of the population and eighty per cent of the assessed valuation is nearer to this point than to the present capital city. - Is it not. a fair proposition to let the people have a voice in the lo- cation of the state capital? It is their money that is spent by our law- makers when they.convene every second year to make our laws. The density of the population determines the number of our senators and our representatives. Therefore. three-fdurths .of our lawmaking body will al- ways come from the eastern,. the northern-and the central part of the .state. The natural formation of the country will keep it in this condi- tion for all time. The saving.in mileage each year the legislature meets will be thousands of dollars-to the taxpayers. Many people have busi- ness at the seat of government outside of the time when the legislature meets. © Should not -the capital be located where they can reach it at the least possible expense? The people are the ones to “pay the freight” in every instance. This is not a selfish-move on the part of New Rockford and the cen- ‘tral part of the state. The primary object of the movement was for the benefit of the entire tax paying population of the state. New Rockford, .was selected only because it was the most accessible point of the many good cities in“the central part of the, state, with railway facilities unex- celled by any city in the state. This was the primary object sought by the many people who have found it most inconvenient to visit the state capital at its present location. The slogan today is “Let the People Rule.” The people of the central part of North Dakota feel that the question of where the state capital should be located for all time to.come should be put up to the people of the state; -not leave it in the hands of the politicians. - If you feel that the people should settle this question for all time to come, sign, the petition below, have it certified before any officer qualified to attest signatures and send it to the Capital Removal Association at New Rockford, and the people will have a chance to pass on the question at the next general election. THE NONPARTISAN LEADER Geo. S. Loftus Endorses - Capital Removal . Mr. Frank E. Black, Secretary, Capital Removal Association of North Dakota, New Rockford, North Dakota. g Dear Sir: As I stated in my speech at New Rockford on August 4th, 1 believe that everyone interested in the farmars’ terminal marketing movement should work for the submission to the people of the question of removing the capital from Bismarck to New Rockford. This i3 a question of such importance to the people of North Dakota that they should be given an oprortunity to vote on it. The farmers of North Dakota seek legislation, to aid.them in their efforts for an open market for their grain, a market free from the control of the combine. Bismarck is a gang-controlled city. Legislation and the administration of state affairs there are subject to the influence of the McKenzie-Little gang which is working constantly for those interests oprozed to the farmers. It would be a big help to the farmers’ cause if the making and administrating of the laws could be taken out of Bismarck and done in a city like New Rockford friendly to the farmers’ movement where the farmer’s influence will be much greater and that of the McKenzie-Little gang much less. In the interests of farmers’ cause, I unhesitatingly urge every farmer and all others interested in the farmers’ movement to do their best toward having this proposition submitted to the people. After all these years in which legislation in the interests of the people has been handicapped by the influence of the local gang at Bismarck, it is only fair and equitable that the farmers of the state have an opportunity of voting on this question. ple to vote for what is right and just. I suggest that the farmers circulate petitions asking that this im- portant question be submitted, incorporating in those petitions the well know principle that we believe in giving the people an opportunity to vote on legislation which will benefit the whole state. Get as many of your neighbors to sign as possible. Let us see where the people of the state stand on this importanat question.. Very truly yours, December 28, 1915. GEORGE S. LOFTUS. ~ Instructions for Signing Petition Tear out petition along double line. Sign petition with indelible pencil or ink. Send in petition soon -as possible. Sign petition before notary public or other officials, The Equity has faith in the desire of the peo- 3 TS CO PO b If you can’t get you neighbors to sign send it in yourself. Mail to Capital Removal Association, New Rockford, N. D. Watch these pages for additional Argument and Facts next week. { proval or rejection, and if approved . by. a majority of all the legal vote s amendment shall again be submitted to the people at the next general elec- ; cast at such-general- election;, such amendment shall be referred to the tion for their approval or rejection as at the previous general electian, in . next Legislative Assembly for approval .or rejection, but failing to receive , accordance with the provisions of said Section 202 of the Constitution of approval by such Legislative- Assembly to which it has been referred, such the State of North Dakota as amended. g ’ SIGNED: - ADDRESS COUNTY = h R T S T _[SEAL] My commission expires