The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1906-11-08
The First Democratic Governor in Many
Years--The Voters Grew Weary
of the One Man Rule and AS
serted Their Rights
MINOT HELPS DEMOCRATS
Burke Gets Majority Of $500 and Fisk
6000-- Republican County Ticket
Wins in Ward

1t may seem somewhat of a
surprise to the readers Of the
Independent this week to learn
that North Dakota has gone
Democratic, inasmuch as John
Burke has been elected governor
over the present incumbent, E.
Y. Sarles, the Republican can
didate, by a majority of probably
$500 and Fisk, the Democratic
candidate for Supreme Judge de-
feated the Republican candidate
John Knauf by at least 5000
votes. This report is considered
quite authentic, as Chairman
Hanna of the Republican State
Central Committee has admitted
defeat.
All of the remainder of the
Republican candidates were pro-
badly elected with nice majorities
The main cause of the Demo-
cratic victory at this time is the
fact that practically all Of the
Scandinavians who had always
been strong Republicans, voted
for Burke and Fisk at this elec-
tion. The insurgents found that
Sarles was too hard pill to
swallow and scratched the ticket
in favor of Honest John Burke
of Devils Lake and Charles Fisk.
Dank C. Greenleaf, Democratic
candidate for Attorney General
ran away ahead of his ticket in
Northwestern North Dakota, but
could not be elected because the
main fight was centered only on
Burke and Fisk. The Democrats
are now kicking themselves be-
cause they did not make a play
for the entire State Board of
Equalization for they believed
that they could have been elect
ed. This would have meant a
victory for Greenleaf.
A very light vote was polled
last Tuesday. The day was fine
and the farmers remained in
their fields at work turning over
the soil. Many took little inter-
est in the election. The Demo-
Gratis however went on a still
hunt. Sober minded men said
little on Tuesday, but voted.
The various churches had de-
nounced the actions of Sales and
the action taken by the w. C. T.
U. of the state had a good deal
to do with his defeat. They say
too that a Democrat will walk Is
miles in North Dakota to vote,
and every Democrat was at the
polls Tuesday. The Democrats
could have hardly won out had
this been a Presidential cam
paign. Still, there is no telling
what the voters of North Dakota
will do.
The leaders Of all the political
parties of North Dakota are ask
ed to sit up and take notice. You
are to deduct an important fact
from Tuesdays result. The
power lies not in the hands of
Alex Mckenzie, or any other
political leader but the voter has
something himself to say regard
who will be elected and who will
be elected to remain at home.
The people of North Dakota are
great readers. They know what
is going on. Hereafter they will
keep a close watch on any man
or set of men who would dictate
to them. They are to be con-
graduated upon their indepen-
dence.
The Democrats generally WELD
by thirty per cent of the power
of the state. The result of Tues
days election does not mean that
the voters have lost faith in Re-
publican principles. It simply
means that they have lost faith
in some of the leaders. Two
years from now, the Republican
party can gain a great victory in
North Dakota, but they will have
to begin right now and use the
people right, place the best ma