Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-12

LlrtIe VIII enter the race ut the out
come with ra,.hanE ten votes. He is gen.
orally credited WITH more strength when
tho show-do~': comes, as it Is reported
that he will haSs soZEe from Grand Forks,
Cavalier, CasS. Ransom and one or two
other counties wien the pins are set up
again after the first ballot is taken.
Alexander Mckenzie, who has been q
prominent figure in all senatorial strug-
giles since statehood, is taking an active
interest in the fight. He wants first the.
defeat of johnson, and second the cleo
ton of Little. the two being old-time per-
sonal and political friends. Mckenzie
says that johnson is beaten and that
when he lost the organization of both
houses he lost his chance of being senator
from North Dakota. Mckenzie is shrewd
as the shrewdest and his first energies
are being devoted to the demonstration
in caucus or on ballot that Johnson can
not be elected. If he is able to do that,
his energies will be directed to the bring
ing of as many floating votes into the
Little camp as possible. as it is agreed
among the exposition that if johnson can
be disposed OF, it is then to be a fair fight
among the opposition candidates for the
spoils, and the candidate being able to
bring to his support the greatest number
OF votes Will receive the senatorial toga.
Col. Robinson, manager of the johnson
forces. says, little. but is active. with the
other johnson leaders. Judge Lander of
Rlchland county was at work for John
son among the Fourth district representa-
tives. and as Lander is one of the shrewd-
est politicians in the state. his presence
created renewed watchfulness on the part
OF the opposition. Lander is a bitter
enemy of McCumber and the senatorial
ambition of the latter has aroused Lam
der 20 renewed efforts for Johnson.
Fanchor will not be a candidate as Il
dark horse or otherwise unless t.ere is
an agreement on the part Of the oppo-
sition to johnson, and there is little or
no prospect that a contingency will arise
in which the governor will eE.er the SEN
atorial race
The committees selected by the house
and senate to take charge of the matter
of senatorial caucus are controlled by
the anti-Johnses! incn. This p,cces john
son in the position of having to wait until
his opponents decide to call t..e caucus.
1t is reasonable to suppose they will not
do SO until they feel practically certain
| that they will control it. And i this is
| the case, the caucus will be of NJ benefit
to the congressman. Four of the five
committeeman are against Johnson.
The city of Bismarck has furnished all
| members of the legislature free trans
portation to and from the capitol, an ex-
pense which the members have previ-
| ously had to bear out of their own pocket.
The fine work Of the politicians who are
opposing Johnson is evident in the selec-
| ton Of the senatorial caucus steering
committees. The committees We're select
| ed without opposition after TIC session of
| the two houses, and the th;:f' was done
quickly and harmoniously. TIE caucus
{S loo th -nio
from which call for a caucus will come,
and the anti-Johnsor leaders will dictate
| the time. The committees having been
chosen in caucus of the Republicans Of
| the two houses, their actions have re-
ceved the official sanction of the Repub-
| lican members of the legislature, and
| Johnson is put Oh the defensive.
| The organization OF the railroad COM
| mission was q surprise. especially to the
| Republicans of the slope, who state that
| pledges We're secured from Commission
ers simons and Erickson for the appoint
| nent of Harvey Harris as secretary.
| Commissioner Walton went on hunt for
| the plum for his friend w. A. Stickley
| of Wells county, and landed it by trading
| off the craftsmanship to Simons in return
| for the support of the latter for Stickley.
| There is no feeling in the matter between
| the two candidates for the place and Har-
ris was one of the first to congratulate
Stickley on his appointment.
|
| There will be strong lobby against the
passage Of the amendment to the divorce
| law, changing the time of residence from
| three months to one year, and providing
that all applicants for divorce shall be
residents of the United States. The lat
| ter provision would exclude the wealthy
| foreigners who come to the state for di-
! vorce, and tfecc are some of the primest
| picking of :ae divorce lawyers, it being
reported that the fees of one Fargo law
| firm in single case were $1,000.
| The majority of the state officers-elect
| will "c.*ic their present deputies. Frank
| LavYe3l:.c Of .sr..sd Forks county remains
| as .eDut.- secretary of state, w. nj. Coch-
| re-, If Walsh county as deputy state SUI
| pert. cndent of public instruction, A. d.
Lucas of Ransom as deputy auditor, and
| NJ. NJ. Cook of Richland as deputy treas
/ urer.
A bill has been introduced for the re-
peal Of the provision permitting the lend
| ing or funds from the permanent state
| school fund on farm. lands in the state
| Already S115,0C0 of the funds have been
| loaned on this class OF securities and it
| is recommended by those who have
| control of the disposition of the
| funds that the law be repealed
The agricultural element of the leg
islature may object to the repeal in
some cases. but it is believed they will
come to see the danger to the integrity
| of the permanent school fund through
this class of loans. and as any losses will
| have to be remedied by direct taxation
| because of a constitutional provision that
| the fund must be kept intact, the repeal
| is likely to pass.
INSURGENTS REFUSE.