The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-22
NORTH DAKOTA
SONS OF THOR
FARE VERY WELL
NORTH DAKOTA
sCANDINAVIANs OF N. ID. CAP
TURE SIX GOOD PLACES.
How the Turning Down of spalding
Came About-He Wasn't Good
Mixer and Wouldn't Hustle for
the Nomination.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Fargo, N. D., July 22-The Scandina-
VANS of North Dakota should be satisfied
with their representation on the repub-
lican state ticket The quantity is there,
if the quality is satisfactory to the sons
of Thor.
Before the state convention there had
been considerable agitation over lack of
representation for the Scandinavians in
proportion to the percentage Of votes
they cast. In fact the Scandinavian Re-
publican league was popularity supposed
to have been organized to secure better
representation on the ticket
While not all of those nominated by
the republicans have the official indorse-
ment Of the league, the fact that such a
league had been organized had a strong
effect. The Scandinavans on the ticket
are Edward Engerud of Fargo for SUI
preme justice, A. ]. Gronna of Lakota
for congress, A. Peterson of CoggsWell for
state treasurer, G. N Erich Of Lakota
for attorney general John christensen Of
Towner for railroad commissioner and
Eric Stafne of Abercrombie for railroad
commissioner. =
This gives six of the best offices on
the state ticket to the Scandinavians and
the arrangements for appointive. officers
also provide for a good representation
The convention presented some unusual
features. There was only one candidate
nominated for each place except congress
man. where friends of B. F. Spalding
made a last stand for the Fargo man.
Neither of the railroad commissioners
was renon1inated. Both Shea and Lord
had served as long as they wished, hav-
ing been renominated two years ago. and
Andrew Schatz of Harvel failed to get
in the swim when his local delegation was
being selected.
The nomination of both justices of the
supreme court from Fargo was perhaps
the most unusual proceeding. N. c.
Young had formerly been a resident OF
| Pembina county and located in Fargo
after his election for the greater convent
ence as residence. His nomination was
| counted rather from the state at large
| than from this city, tho opposition tt
| the selection Of Spalding was made or
the ground that both were from Fargo.
On the dramatic and sudden death o,
| Justice Cochrane another vacancy on the
bench was created, and Engerud of Fargo
was named His selection, in view o.
the conditions, was a remarkable tribute
to his especial qualifications and was the
one nomination made without combina
| ton slate. ri.
| The Turndown of SpaIdIng.
! Opponents Of Spalding fought his nom
ination on the ground that Cass count,
| should not have both congressman ant
justice of the supreme court, and then
with glazing inconsistency, gave congress
man and attorney general to one Of tn
smallest counties in the state-Nelson.,
The defeat Of Congressman Spaldin.
was no great surprise to Fargo. as ]
was known he. was not liked by TIL
/ powers that be. Spalding's efficient ser
vice was conceded on all sides, but h
has never had an enthusiastic following
! He is naturally reserved man and i'm
possible as a mixer His popularit
was based by service, with the handica
Of a personality that attracted few. H
was too independent over his nominatio
and regarded it as a right for which h
should not be compelled to fight TIL
political leaders didn't like his position
and thought if the nomination was nc
worth hustling for it should go elsewhere
: So Spalding was slated for the ak.
Despite the. agitation in his favor b
; a few friends, Governor White was
, nonentity in the convention He wa
not consulted on combinations and wa
overlooked in the results.