Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-05-31
SENATOR PLAINS POSITION

SENATOR PLAINS POSITION
Senator Chas. w. Plain ina reported
interview, published in the Milton Globe
of the 18th inst, sets forth peculiar
views and places himself in a peculiar
position. He says:
INV close observation of the vicious
practices of the state political machine
during the legislative sessions at BIS
marck has convinced me years ago OF
the utter corruptness of the states pol.
itics, as practiced by the present bosses,
This is exactly what the democrats
have been preaching for years: what the
senator has voiced at our conventions
and what. has found place in our plat
forms. True. we have not corrected
these evils, but because the people, a
large number of whom are now with the
insurgent republicans. saw tit to elect
the gang nominees. The senator seems
to draw the conclusion that ii IS safer to
Join with those who III the past have. by
their vote, made possible this very con
dition of utter co1ruptness. than to
stand by those who were always against
it and unhesitatingly said so, as is
shown by the following from the inter
view:
Being in full sympathy with the re
forms advocated by the Good Govern
ment League and having always. since
long before its birth, held the same per
sonal views, l feel that | am properly
classed an insurgent republican. bellev-
ing that this wing of the republican
party in the state has the best interests
of the party and the people in general
at heart. The democratic party as a
whole has never signitied its intention OF
cooperating with the reform forces in
the state for cleaner politics.
But how can local conditions cause
him to change to high protective tariff
views, follow the Hanna republican doc
trine that trusts are good things, believe
in the Hamiltonian ideas Of a centralized
: government, and the later ideas of
coionialism and commercialism, which
spell republicanism: The insurgents
months ago declared that they did not
want democratic reformers or any others
than republicans. Under such condi-
tons what could selfspecting democrats
do but hold aloof: There is going to
be a mighty fight within the republican
ranks for supremacy and no matter
which wins, they are going to kiss and
make up and the senator will find him
self a full hedged republican. with only
a ghost of reform as a comforter. But
now comes the most singular part of the
interview:
Il make this statement at this time
that the democratic party may De tree &c
bring out another candidate. should 1t
see fit to do So.
If it see tit 10 do So indicates thai
he doubts their doing 30 and really ex.
poets the democratic nomination. How
can the democrats nominate a republl
can: How can he be an insurgent re
publican when he is d democrat: Where
would he stand when it came to the
election of a United States Senator
would he be an insurgent democrat anc
vote for Hansbrough: If the democrat
make him a senator. what kind of a chile
would democracy have brought forth
Now aside from national political line
there are but two political classes in thi
state: those who stand with the railway
and outside influences and those VIII
are opposed to management Of our stat
affairs by these aliens. Have the in
surgents said one word against this pow
er behind the throne? Not up to tn
present writing. They attack Alex Nc
Kenzie when they know thati it is outsid
corporate influence which makes him $
powerful. If they are afraid to oppos
these influences now, what assuranc
has any one that they will not be as SCI
vile tools, if successful in the COMM
campaign, as the present bosses. Whel
they give their declarations the tru
ring of reform, will be ample time for a.
who are earnest reformers to 60 to then
There is no reform in turning down tn
present gang unless there is at leas
promise of something better.
And now we would like to hedge
little. Senator Plain is capable an
honorable, none better; and we can bu
believe, either that he has been misquo
ed or that the insurgents cause has bee
misrepresented to him. Pembinia c,
Democrat.