Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-01-17
Woman SUFFRAGE,

gard to their political rights, they form |
almost positive exception to the general |
doctrine OF equality. They obey the laws. |
and contribute taxes; and it is political jus.
tice land political justice always pays that |
those who are subject to law and contribute |
taxes should have q voice in their enact |
ment and in the distribution Of the taxes.
The elective franchise has been extended |
and restrictions removed as men have DEM |
Onstrated their abiiiay to exercise it, and as
the right to its possession became apparent |
becomes apparent.
A partial recognition has been given by |
granting women the right to participate in !
school matters. In the exercise of this priv |
ilege women have demonstrated their ability |
to discharge greater suffrage, conscientious |
ly and to the best interests OF the body |
polite and themselves.
/ would recommend to your favorable CON
sideration the extension of suffrage to |
women, in municipal matters at least
GOOD Roads.
The attention being paid to the subject of
good roans in MANY states, agricultural as
we'll as manufacturing, is evidence OF Its I'M
proper building and improvement OF h.gn-
ways is one OF the last questions to receive
consideration, though they are OF great i'm.
portance to all industries.
Streets and railroads are the arteries OF
commerce aud pubic highways are the trib
utaries. from the farm and the factory
come the articles to be transported. Win
the low price that commodities often com
mand it is necessary that they be marketed
as cheaply and quickly as possible. Every
item of expense that can be saved in delV
er;ng to the lines of transportation Will aug
ment the profit of the producer.
While the people of this state may not
now feel the need of judicious Improvements
of highways, l believe that the. day, is not
far distant when they will realize that the
subject should have received earlier and
more careful attention.
These Improvements are often objected TO
by farmers, who claim that they constitute
the class least benefited. This is erroneous.
Good roads enable the farmer to place his
products upon the market at time when
often prevent this. Good roads enable him to
deliver them i'll much better condition thaD
thcv are otherwise delivered, nd Will,
saving Of time exPens1 and energy nsce we w Ge
doubt that the farmers of North Dakota
will eventually have diversity of products
to MAJ; sct. When that time nomes-ann we
shall have not long to wait-the advantages
to be derived from an early effort to estab'
lish and improve our highways will be ap-
preciated, Good roads are the forerunners
farm residences, planting of groves and IN.
creased valuation of land. Moreover, when
we construct a good highway we build chat
which those who come after US Will ENJOY
for they are permanent.
The system under which our roads are
built does not produce the best results az
tainabe. There is work enough done ana
n sufficient amount Of money expended;
which, if properly done and expended, would
construct roads that would last for years.
We are of the opinion that IT roads were
tenn of contract and convict labor, under
the direction Of competent road engineer,
in each county or township, mole deslfapi pig
and satisfactory results would he obtained:
of road work now authorized by law De
abolished, and that the work be done by
contract and convict labor. the expense 10
be met by taxation: second. that the office
of road oyerSaer he abolished and that the
work be performed under the direction OF
road engineer: third, that in order to secure
appointed to whom all road bills be re.
ferred.
Primaries and Cnucuses.
Under the election laws of this state
voters exercise the right Of suffrage With
out hindrance. We believe there are but
few thinking men who would consent to
their repeal and the re-en1ctment of those
previously in force. After holding two gen
eral. elections under their provisions no no
Spirit or letter Of the law, have been made
manifest.
If evils exist in the choice and selection
traced to the caucus anu the primary; Much
thought is being devoted to the problem OF
how to induce the voter to give them proper
attention. The primary should be kent ra pure nne
speedily remedied.
1t has long been fayorte criticism OF
those opposed to popular government TT tnat;
owing to lack Of interest on the part OF
the voter and the unscrupulous. methods OF
professional caucus workers. free govern.
ment will fail Such is possible bq It h ho
man nature to believe that mon e"nn"r w
later will invariably assert their rights and
exercise their prerogatives In refusing ne
ssning men Free Is r; not 1at i
may be attributed to defective primaries.
TO guard against dangers from any source
ia as much the duty Of the representatlvess res
Of the people as it is to provide for their
correction. If, In your opinion, the system
now in vogue is or should become menace
to the liberties Of the people, 1t Is incumpen lI
avert it, for the Generalization of our poll
tics means the ruin of our liberties.
Provision should be made by this legisla..
tive assembly for taking the enumeration OF
the inhabitants of the state as required by
the the constitution. The enumeration should
be made as economically and Sp ,edlly as Is
consistent with the nature and Importance
of the undertaking.
Russian Cactus.
The attention of the legislative assembly
will, doubtless be called to the /: ports OF
damages being done by the rapid spread OF
what is commonly known as the kcsslan
cactus. .,,
investigation to determine whether 1t IS ex-
ped:ent and constitutional for The state to
undertake its eradication or to tNtend a1u
to the districts overrun by 1t.
encouragement of Industries.
The results Of the last two years have not
been very encouraging to those enLased IN
agriculture, either in North Dakota or else
where 1t has led many to doubt the, pro-
priety of combining our agricultural products
to wheat alone, and to uevote time and at.
tention to other branches Of farming. The
cultivation Of many plants heretofore sup,
posed to be Improbable has been carried
on successfully In various parts of the state,
and warrants the prediction that the State St:
of North Dakota will eventually furnish
variety Of products for the markets of other
states Measures that will encourage the
farmer to raise greater variety for home
markets, IL for no other, should receive en-
cOuragpment.
Industries are often benefited or injured
by indirect measures rs much as by those
having an immediate design. Every section
Of our state will eventually become wealth
producing. Having the interests or the
whole state to consider. rather than that OF
any particular section or interest liberal
policy should be pursued in order that the
active cooperation, Of men engaged IN vari.
Gus enterprises which are or may become,
profitable. be secured: no other policy will
result in full and satisfactory development