The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-05-09
%@!3EB 60
HELGEsEN's LOGIC.

appeared IN the Herald OF yesterday,
contains some statements which are
so wholly at variance with facts and
logic that they deserve some atten-
ton. 1t is no concern of the Even
ing Times what Mr. Helgesen believes
or whether his present political be-
lief is influenced by the fact that he
is an appointee of a democratic gov
ernor. But it is a notorious fact that
the democratic party is opposed to
the denomination of Roosevelt, and in
the article in the morning democratic
daily of this city, Mr.. Helgesen at
tempts to thresh satan around the
bush by pretending to be for Roose-
welt while laying particular stress on
the idea that the North Dakota dele
cation to the national convention
must not be instructed for him. 1t
would seem ito man up tree" that
Mr.. Helgesen in attempting to develop
a side issue in Directing to an in
structed delegation, is working in the
interests of the democratic party.
Mr.. Helgesen claims that the senior
senator, against whom his article is
directed, is aligned with the corpo-
rate interests of this state. 1t is
we'll recognized principle of evidence
that the reliability of the witness goes
to effect the weight of his testimony.
1t is therefore competent to inquire
of Mr.. Helgesen whether he became
a reformer before he was defeated as
candidate on the ticket which those
same corporate influences nominated,
according to Mr.. Helgesen himself
When man becomes opposed to a
political party which has cast him
overheard, this fact would certainly
weaken the force of any accusations
he might make against that party
II the period of his reform were
therefore known it would assist the
public in taking the proper measure
of his statement.
But granting that Mr.. Helgesen is
sincere in his political gymnastics in
favor of President Roosevelt and
against those in this state who were
advocating his denomination when
Mr.. Helgesen and the Herald which
endorses him, were working in the
interests of the democratic party, it
is we'll to see how Senator Hans
brough is measured by the combined
evidence. Mr.. Helgesen in his article
in yesterdays Herald says:
Now then. you say you (Hans-
brought are not only a friend of
Roosevelt's but staunch supporter
OF his political plans and policies. So
is every sane and sensible man in
North Dakota.
Mr. Helgesen then proceeds to
prove from false premises that Sen
ator Hansbrough is in fact opposed
to both the president and his policies.
Now, if Mr.. Helgesen and every sane
and sensible man in North Dakota"
have such confidence in the policies
of the president, he must likewise en-
dorse those who support these poll
cies, on which, to quote again, he
says:
There are in this country today two
great political elements, which al
though they are not working under
any particular party name are still
more powerful than either the repub-
llcan or democratic parties. viz: the
element that believes that this country
should be governed by its vested in
terests" and who are working towards
that end and the element that be-
lieves that the individual citizens of
our country should be in control of
the government or as it is commonly
expressed on one side is the corpora
tons and their interests and on the
other side is the people and the in
terests of the individual citizen.
President Roosevelt has chosen to
represent the latter. and the line of
cleavage between the two elements
and what they stand for in the poll
tics of our country. is so distinct that
10 pc staunch supporter of Roose-
velt's political policies and at the same
time be a part and parcel of the cor
poration political machine which is
the embodiment Of the opposition to
all that Roosevelt stands for political
~, is utterly impossible.
Now If Mr.. Helgesen and those who
believe with him, if there be any, are
SO willing to accept in one breath the
Roosevelt doctrine on public matters.
can they suppose for moment that
the president would deliberately lie
Senator Hansbrough?
Through the ,cupidity Of democratic
editor, the country has been given the
following statement from the presi-
dent himself:
The president directs me to ac-
the receipt of your letter
Of the 18th instant and to say that
Senator Hansbrough has consistently
supported the president and his poll
cies, and has been one of the men