The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-30
NORTH DAKOTA POLITICS.


the United States Senatorship.
ELLENDALE, N. D., Nov. 29.-Ths canvass
Tor senator in this state has become bitter
y personal. Feeling runs 60 high bstweer
the hostile faltions that there is NO certain
ty OF the republican caucus naming can
didate. The possibility of North Dakota
sending democrat to the United Statee
senate and thus making = tie between the
swo parties in that body is not 20 remote
that it has escaped the attention Of the ma
ional leaders; hence the outside world ID
viewing the contest here with keen inter
81. The democratic and independents
eumber thirty-f in the Legislature, and:
" the event Of deadlock between the
Pierce and Mckenzie factions, may elect q
man TO the senate whose name 10 not now
mentioned. II the caucus fails to se-
iect candidate, however, party custom and
qiscipline are at an end in North Dakota
Tor years to come, and the state will present
Z picture Of political decentralization in
Keeping with those republican states which
tins year have gone over to the democracy.
senator rierce's friends express great con-
ndence, though admitting that he has not
the strength that was expected before the
election occurred. They say that no other
candidate has enough votes to render him
formidable. The field which ID expected to
oppose Pierce includes Representative
aansb1ough and Mayor Bali. OF Fargo.
The latter u BY all odds the stronger OF the
TWO, for whatever positive opposition to
Pierce has been created comes from the
Mckenzie party, to. which Ball belongs,
1lr. Ball has some Of the big organizers of
tie state backing him. such ss Alexander
lckenzie, A. w. Edwards and Senator
John Haggart.
Owing to the peculiar complications
which have arisen in the canvass Congress
man-elect Johnson refuses to take any part
u y. Hansbrough has the prestige Of de-
1eatlng senator Swanson In Ramsey county.
and besides that secures home backing for
himself in his candidacy for Pierce's place.
II 10 hard to say what the Mckenzie party
would do IN case Hansbrough shows up with
known that as between Pierce and Hans
brough Mr.. johnson would give his in
huence to Pierce. Gov. Burke and Lieut.
Gov. AIlin favor Pierce. In this remark
able and many sided contest State Senator
Ia Moure OF Pembina can probably select
the winner, providing the republican cau-
Gus is to have effect. Senator Fuller Of
jamestown ia another political leader who
has the capacity to form winning combi-
nation and bring order ont Of chaos.
Impartial republicans everyWhere agree
that the warfare between Pierce and Nc
Menzle ~ very unfortunate for the party.
No one can question Senator Pierce's infln-
ence at Washington or his unselfshness to
North Dakota, and it would be equally fu-
etle to attempt to belittle the Mckenzie fac
lion. II required the political aagacity ana
stili q Major Edwards, senator
Pohn Haggart Gnd MAJOR Hall to bring
about the nomination of ~. n. Johnson for
movement which the exigencies
'f the party impeattively demanded-and
at the present critical juncture in the poll
tical affairs of the state and nation the best
'horts of the leaders, Of both factions are
'equired to secure republican supremacy
md hold North Dakota safely in the party.
Pierce and Ball together have the ability to
cad the republican party to successive VIC
ories, but as rivals and faction leaders
heir talent and popularity may become
agencies Of destruction rather than OF party
Development. All the active politicians on
10th sides are hard at work, and the cam
,aiGn is now at fever heat.