The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-12-01
A ,CORNERED DEMOCRACY.

,CORNERED DEMOCRACY.
The editorial in the Evening Times
a few days ago relative to the impos-
sibility of Governor Burke being able
to carry out his democratic policies in
the state because Of the adverse po-
litical complexion of the legislature
seems to have opened the eyes of the
followers OF the Burke propaganda,
and they are becoming desperate in
their attempts to convince the public
that because the republican members
of the legislature may refuse to lend
themselves to the construction of such
legislation as Governor Burke and the
political bosses who have annexed
themselves to his standard, may de-
mand they are opposed to the interests
of the public.
1t was the plan OF the wise ones OF
the new political machine which is
being constructed in the democratic
party in the state, to wait until the
republican party was confronted with
some of the wild legislation demanded
by these inexperienced statesmen and
then awaken the echoes with their
cries OF failure to grant legislation in
the name of reform. But the wind
was taken from their sails by the idea
which was advanced that the people
Of the state did not require or demand
legislation in harmony with the gov
ernor's theories else they would have
elected legislature strictly In har-
mony with him. If that were done,
then the members were morally bound
to support him. If they were not so
elected. it was conclusive evidence
that the people preferred legislation
different from his views and the men,
bers would be false to their trusts il
they assisted in the enactment of
such as he required.
The whole truth is that with all the
roseate promises made by Governor
Burke and his friends they are unable
to fulfill one of them except the ap-
pointment of few officials, without
the assistance of the republican par
ty. Governor Burke and the leaders
OF his party realize now that the ap-
pointment of a few members of the
boards OF part of the state institu-
tons will not make such visible
change in the political conditions Of
the state that the administration will
stand out as the Abraham Lincoln one
OF the state. These politicians have
already learned that the people will
tolerate no meddling with the heads
OF many of the institutions of the state
who hold their positions-may IL
please the court-at the hands of the
republican party which was sought to
be overthrow in the recent election.
The republican party has placed in
responsible positions in the several in
stitutions men whose equals cannot
be found. The people know these
men. and they refuse to brook any
interference with them, now that they
are brought face to face with the real
ization of danger of this kind. I'm
der these conditions the democratic
party dares not make a change, and
to r4n the state institutions with the
same men and in the same manner
that they we're run by the republican
party is not very spectacular DEM
onstration OF the imperative need of
reform.
Cornered thus the democrats and
their political allies are compelled to
detract attention from the failure
which awaits them, and they hoped to
do this by the cry that legislation was
refused. But 1t is safe to suggest that
even at this time all the wisdom and
patriotism of the state is not found
in the one lone man. All men are nei-
Their grafters nor public despoilers
nor are all men who hold public po-
sitions bartering their honor for a
mess Of pottage. The members of the
legislature who were elected as re
publicans will do what they think is
best for the people of the state regard
less Of whether it suits the democrat
ic gang or not.