The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1904-09-16
THE AXE ON xii. {"


minations to the Lauder men to ge,
them to desert their colors and ioin
the ranks of the 20 ang," even going
80 far in some instances as to
promise them nominations on the
state ticket two years hence. He
who would accept such nomina.
ton would SIMPLY be traitor and
a weakling and one to be spurned
by his associates-a man too weak
to resist a bribe. And what would
the gang" do? They would take
delight in knitting him and be only
too pleased at his defeat and down.
fall.-Wahpeton Times.
The plans of those who generally
dictate the makeup of the county
ticket are said to include the nomi.
nation of at least one and possibly
more of the republicans (?) who
were responsible for the defeat OF
the Legislative ticket in this district
two years ago. There are some
straight republicans in the south
half OF. the county who will feel that
even party nomination does not
bind them to vote for politicians of
the "rule or ruin" class.-Hankin.
son News.
Superintendent OF Schools Kilpat.
rick has identified himself with the
republican party in Richland coun-
| ty and announces that he will be a
| candidate before the republican
convention for nomination as coun-
ty superintendent of fschools.-Wah
peton Globe.
To the ordinary citizen who
takes but little interest in poll
tics and who does not keep
watch upon the ins and outs of
matters as they shape them
selves before campaign, the
first two paragraphs printed
above will be difficult to under
stand. Even after reading the
third one, the connection be-
tween the three may not be
seen. But the connection is
there. '
1t simply means that some of
the republican leaders are con-
sidering the advisability of no.
minating Fitzpatrick on the re-
publican ticket.
The first item, from the Wah-
kpeton Times, shows by it's bit
i'terness that Fitzpatrick, who
mas been a Lauder republican,
and so by that peculiar classiti-
cation could accept the demo
cratic nomination last election,
has quarrelled with the demo
Gratis and stands no chance of
nomination by the democratic
convention. In short, Kilpat-
rick has turned his coat again,
and is as much despised by
democrats to-day as he was by
republicans two years ago.
Thus Mr.. Fitzpatrick is a re-
publican once more-just as he
was democrat in 19O2-for Of
fee. He has identified himself
with the republicans this year.
Two years ago he identified
himself" with the democrats.
If he keeps on with this alter
nate identifying of himself
he will have lost his identity
entirely!
The Broadaxe has no criti-
cism to make of Mr.. Kilpatrick's
change of faith or principles.
True, they are a trifle sudden
and catch one unawares. We
understand that wise man
changes his mind once in a
while but a fool never. We
welcome him back to the fold
from his two-year sojourn with
the flesh pots of Egypt. Yet it
is reasonable to expect him to
take an humble seat in the con-
gregation of the party for
awhile. He should not expect
to be welcomed with a brass
band on his return; nor should
he demand as his right the kill
ing of the fatted calf-for that
other prodlgal did not demand
it, only asking a lowly berth
among the herders.
We think he should retire
from the scene for a time
should neither expect nor ask
an office at the hands of the
party. If it is true that the
leaders of the party are think
ing of giving him the nomina-
ton they will find that they are
figuring without the sanction
of the rank and file. Possibly
it is true that he is a "strong"
candidate and would spend
his money as freely for the
party this year as he did against
it two years ago. But that is
no argument in a matter of
right and wrong.
The leaders attention is
drawn to the fact that the one
great argument against the no.