The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, September 21, 1916, Page 21

55 "(Edito_rial in»Fairgo‘:Fo-rulfx) ' ‘The theory of the American system of government is that the majority rules, and it will'be a sorry day in the United States or in any single staté when the government is dominated by a. minority. It is evident that there- are citizens of North Dakota who do not believe in majority rule. It has been thorouéh]y demonstrated thgt the vast majority of the people of this state are in favor of the program of legislation which has been outlined by the Nonpartisan League. . That is the secret of ‘the ‘wonderful success and the tremendous power of this" organization. Tha_t and; nothing more. The people are behind - the movement. - - The people of North Dakota want to see the program of ‘reform legislation which this League _ proposes enacted into law.’ *Despit'é this fact which - was demon- strated beyond the question of a doubt at the June primaries,: there has been a small coterie of politicians who have ap- parently been willing to go to any ex- treme and to use tactics which cannot be classed otherwise than underhanded and shameful, in the effort to bléck the ex-- pressed will of the people of this state. The most recent effort of this coterie was enacted at Bismarck yesterday whén the -effort was made to “slip some- thing ‘over” ‘in the ‘shape of a platform, dictated by the politicians and’ diametri- cally opposed- to: the program proposed by the Nonpartisan Leagué and endorsed by the majority of ‘North Dakota voters. . Prior to the Bismarck meeting it 'was gleefully noised about that a way had bgen discovered to puf the League candi- - dates into a hole. The Republican state central committee, it was said, was con- trolled by the old time politicians and a platform was to be enacted that the re- .gularly -elected Republican - candidates would be compelled to repudiate. .. ‘There is no question. that the moment the primary was over a -quiet. gumshoe campaign - was -inaugurated to “line- up” membersof the state’ central committee to, this end and there is,no question but ~ “Out to Rulé of Ruin” that - the politicians fully believe they had accomplished their purpose. In fact, it ‘appears that the politicians, by another “smooth” political trick were within an ace of accomplishing their purpose. 3 The little clique which was endeavor- ing to work this.smooth game was lead by Treadwell Twichell, who has acted as the catspaw throughout. He is an ex- pert in the fine art of handling affairs on the floor of a political convention. The inexperienced farmer members of the Nonpartisan League who were delegates to the meeting were led to believe that the temporary organization had no real power and ' they allowed. Temporary. Chairman Sprague to name the resolu- tions committee. It then became necessary for the Non- partisan Leaguers to fight for every plank in a battle on the floor of the meeting. But it appears that the Leaguers were not lacking in brains. They quickly grasped the situation and beat the politicians at their own game. ; Another example. of the effort to put the Nonpartisan League “in a hole” was- the action recently taken by the state board of equalization. . . Apparently for the sole. purpose of hampering’ the new- administration the valuations of real estate and railroads was cut 10 per cent, thus reducing the-state’s revemue -about $120,000 for the coming year. It is claimed by those responsible for this, that even with this cut there -will “be sufficient revenue -to run- the state, - but does anyone believe for a moment that if the present administration were to be continued, this cut would have been made? : : It is such tactics. as. these that disgust the people and convince: them that they have made no mistake in making a sweeping change in the officials g_f tl}is ;o state. - Tt is because the so-called “Good Gov- | ernment” league is composed almost ex- clusively of these men who -are appar- ently out to “rule or ruin” that the ef- forts of that organization have fallen flat .and its usefulness has been entirely destroyed.: " Is Democracv Such Only in Name? (Editorial in NewRockford State Center) -1t is frequently -asserted ‘that demo- cracy-is-on trial. - That ours-is a ‘govern-, ment founded-upon democracy, but that it is democratic only in:name. In- a sense this is true. The great body of citizens composing - this -so-called' democracy has been: too-busy attending' to .their domes- tic affairs to give much thought or atten- tion to government. Moreover, with but . few exceptions. the common ‘people are ‘democracy of the nation ‘are-liftl -are ‘bad. still imbued with-the idea that there is a governing class made up men-higher up and in whose presence’ they stand in awe. - When: the shrewd:politician comes around. they ‘are inclined to. stand at at< tention, notwithstanding that the poli- tician is made-of very ordinary material. - -'A man’s wealth, regardless of how he obtained it, .also gives him certain prom- inence. ' A¥'a result the reins.of govern- . ment . have been ' largely ‘put inte. the hands of wealthy men:or-those selected by men of wealth, and as a consequence the monied interests are permitted to’ex- ercise .more influence in the- affairs “of government - than mere- human interests. The wealth that is wrung from:the soil or created in factories is manipulated by : this. class_of statesmen in. the intevests of their ~backers, so. that .millionaires have become too common to attractiatten-; tion whil,the millions that maka up the r TSI ANI A RO than peasants or-serfs.- : - ‘‘The greatest modern inyention.is: the 3 corporation. - Some are good:but. many transact; Yiess i diter ( ent Tfom methods Wwhich they employ in their own private: affairssy > <o ty manipulation of the world’s wealth by a_small fraction of men who have man-, aged to gdin control of all the AvEnues; _ and ‘instrumentalities of trade.” - .. ! - Mr. Hansbrough spoke ‘of the .country; . at large. ~ The same conditions prevail: - _in this state, only in a.minor way but no: “* less significant' than. over the nation at large. It is: time,” therefore, that the and. ; parts’ .of, . Renville Co . county —GLENBURN _'The political uprising in the stateisas | - - ex-Senator. Hansbrough says: “The pro- test of honest industry’ against the craf- -men. elected. to office who Tecognize - human interests -as above those of the money mongers and speculators that prey alike upon producers and .consum- ers. = _ There. is not a_business 'too “crooked,’ however, nor politician :too tarred with undemocratic influéhice but have . de- fenders ‘and apologists. in. the public. press. - Their favorite -expression - is, “the people soon -forget.” But the people have awakened from their lethar- gy and struck'the bull’s. eye of political prostitution ‘a-blow that will long be-re- - membered. Every possible obstruction, however, will be thrown in the wayof reform by a conscienceless gang. that have always placed their own greed for office above the interests of the state. f As long as the average voter could be bound as with hooks. of steel to his party and -his party managed by professional politicians the game was easy; but when the others discard parties.for principles, as they are doing now as never before, the people.will come into their.own. . “North Dakota. has set the pace for oth- er states to follow. : : WILL BE ELECTED- Attorney Grace:of -Mohall, one ‘of ‘the nominees for the supreme ecurt bénch ‘of this state, was here Friday calling on old - friends and ' ~making' new ‘ones.” 'Mr. _Grace has the endorsment of the Non- partisan League and will without doubt be. elected to the supremé: bench: this fall.: Mr. Grace is well known here and will 'Teceive a big vote here as he will in-all - ty, .-his. .hame )VANCE. .~ - ' . IMPRESSED HEARERS Labor Day was properly observed ~in Fargo on Monday. Band music in Is- -land Park and - speéchés by Professor Ladd, Candidate Hagan - #nd Candidate * Frazier marked the “distinctivve Labor program. Besides: this, there were ball games at Moorhead and ‘motorcycle rac- es at the fair'grounds, in:this city.” The " addresses in‘the park were; highly credit- i abje, and candidate Frazier made #n especially favorable impression on the.. earers.—FARGO SEARCH LIGHT. . Mr. Farmer: __If your dealer does not handle the ‘famous Plow Boy 10-20 All - Standard Tractor, get in the harness and have an agency Contract yourself. Iy wl 5, T g o ey LR s‘(lA@ Tractor Fhlly Guaranteed lNOT PALDA-MORSE MOTORS, Inc. l MI Distributors NORTH DAKOTA AUTO BARGAINS HERE ~We have a few practically new cars that have been used for demonstration Write us stating List of our cars will be sent you on re- BROS,, WIMBLEDON, N. D. purposes which we are closing out at reduced prices. what size car you are interested in. quest, MORE FARGO n J.R. Kirk Commission Co. Inc. SOUTH ST. PA ‘MINN. SALES -AGENCY: AND AUTHORIZEIDILfiIPmAflVE OF THE ! - .. American Society of Equity CONSIGN YOUR LIVE STOCK TO US AND GET A SQUARE DEAL ANOTHER ASSOCIATION SEES BENEFIT.IN SHIPPING LIVE STOCK . - TO THEIR OWN SELLING AGENCY ; N. D., Feb. 8, 1916 - 3. R. Kirk Commission Co.;So. St. Paul, Mian. Gentl 3 emen: Drafts - received for car of hogs shipped Jaun. 21st. through Dunn County Equity wt All members that had ‘homn the shipment are awfully well pleased the way you have handled the goods. 1 ha . - Fargo's Only Modern Fire Proof Hotel Hot and Cold Running Water and Telephone in Every Room ~ * On Broadway, One Block South of Great Northern Depot. - FARGO, N. DAK. | I Blooded Stoek—Farm. Machinery—Used S Autos—Farm . or- City. Property—Can' all be * ; " turned -into cash quickly and ‘at small 4 Use LeaderWant Ads - See Classified Page for Rates ~ Poultry is High - Northern.:Produce Co. Wit Bring ¥ou' High Prices 4 _ Attention Farmers! o e N £ & |