Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-12-06

it cannot we'll afford to disregard. The
utterances of the Grand Forks Herald
about Mr.. johnson being defeated for
the senate by s'dastardly trick" sug-
gests some remarks at this time-a little
inside history regarding the campaign.
Mr.. johnson was not at any time the
real choice Of a majority of the republi-
cans of the legislature.
George Winship of Grand Forks and
his friends allied themselves with the
johnson forces for no other reason than
to defeat the nomination of Hon. N. q.
Ordway, who had from the beginning
following Of about twenty, with ten more
who could be depended upon whenever
it could be demonstrated that there was
an opportunity for success.
The McCumber forces allied them
selves with johnson with the mistaken
belief that he would, in the event of his
inability to secure the plum for himself
throw his strength to McCumber. Mr..
Winship cherished some hopes Of this
nature for himself at first, but not until
it was too late to switch did he find out
MI. Johnson's stubbornness in this re-
spect.
Others who voted for Mr.. johnson
from first to last prayed for his defeat
and secretly rejoiced at the final result.
It has been claimed by some that Mr..
johnson was nominated by one vote in
the republican caucus, but that a motion
to adjourn which was declared carried
defeated the announcement of the vote.
This charge may be true, as also the
charge that the motion to adjourn was
not carried as announced. The TRIBUNE
is inclined to such belief, but in the
confusion that existed it was impossible
to keep an accurate tally, and that Of the
caucus clerks must be taken as official.
But this has nothing to do'with the poin
the TRIBUNE is getting at. Where were
Mr.. Johnson's friends at this critical
moment? It is all very we'll for Mr..
Winship to speak Of t'dastardly trick" in
his paper after the battle is over-where
was he when the battle was on? Why
didn't he and others rise to their feet and
denounce the transaction at the time?
The truth is, Mr.. johnson had less
than thirty who honestly desired his
nomination. His other followers were in
line through spite only.
Mr.. johnson was not astute. He is
charged with having been selfish to the
last degree. He would not listen to adj
vice. In case he could not reach the goal
himself, it was urged by some who had
stood with him that he turn his forces in
for some other candidate and thus secure
a victory for his friends. To all such
overtures lie turned deaf ear. sHe said
he was like Grant would make no pre-
parations for defeat. He was bound to
win or drag all his friends down with
him. This is looked upon as supreme
selfishness and bad generalship. It is
possible, however, that Mr.. John
son realized the position he was
in-realized that dozen or more
of his followers were with him not be-
cause they loved johnson, but because
they hated some other candidate real
lied that they secretly sought success for
themselves in his camp. Taking the lat
ter view of the situation, it may be said
that Mr.. Johnson's attitude was ex-
excusable.
Considering the happy outcome Of the
contest and the admirable selection of a
colleague for Mr.. Pierce it is perhaps
best that much that might rancor be left
unsaid. The philosophical view and
manly, patriotic stand Mr.. johnson has
taken since his defeat is certainly worthy
Of praise, and his friends have just reason
to expect and demand for him in the inn
mediate future some recognition at the
hands Of party whose interests he has
been and now declares himself so loyal.
That North Dakota has made no mis-
take in the selection Of United States
senators is evidenced by the signs Of
approval on every side particularly by
the agricultural classes. At the recent
Farmers Alliance meeting in Aberdeen
the strongest kind Of resolutions Of
approval were passed.
The TR1BUNE's one house ideaso vigor-
ously advocated by Delegate Stevens Of
Ransom county in the constitutional con-