The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-03-19
Political Comment
His Administration Acceptable.


The candidacy OF Secretary of State
Alfred Blaisdell, who is a candidate
for denomination, is followed with in
terest all over the state. His candi-
dacy attracts attention from the fact
that Mr.. Blaisdell exemplifies what
an energetic young man can accom-
plish by applying himself diligently
and by adopting we'll defined system
in conducting his affairs in public life.
His friends Ward and Williams
counties are loyal to his interests and
for that reason he went to the last
state convention with the entire solid
delegation Of those counties (the
largest in the convention) enthusiast
tically indorsing him as their choice
for any representation on the state
ticket. For the sake of beings amend
able to the desires of the convention,
for the sake OF adding to the unani-
nifty and harmony Of the Republican
party, Mr.. Blaisdell accepted the nomi-
nation Of secretary Of state.
Mr.. Blaisdell was at the head Of a
prominent law firm and investment
company at Minot, but upon entering
public office, withdrew his active
management in his business at Minot,
sacrificing his personal interests for
the sake Of devoting his entire atten-
ton to the affairs Of the Office he ac-
copied. His constituents Of Ward
county and elsewhere over the state
desire that he be returned to the
Office he occupies at present, and
while influences outside of Ward
county have attempted to thwart Mr..
Blaisdell's interests, by bringing out
another state candidate in that coun'
try, it is generally conceded that Mr.
Blaisdell's friends win be more devot
than ever.
His candidacy for reelection Is not
submitted to the people Of. the state
through an alleged platform" OF
meaningless and glittering generali'
ties. The voters are merely referred
to the record he has made during his
incumbency. And the voters are re-
ferred the fact that he has thorough
ly systemized his department, and has
brought to the department of state
an absolute business administration.
| When these matters are reviewed
it will be admitted he has made an en-.
| viable record as secretary Of state;
that he is young man who has made
exceptional progress in political and
business life, and whose future is on
ly limited in it's success by the en-
ergy Of his efforts.
1t has long been an established Gus
tom to favor officers with two terms
where their record has been accept.
able and satisfactory, and this being
true Of Mr.. Blaisdell, little or no Ques'
ton remains but what he will re re.
nominated by rousing majority, be-
cause his administration has been
enthusiastically and unanimously in.
dorsed.-Bismarck Tribune.
The meeting Of the public service
commission, which was to have been
begun at the capitol this week has
been postponed until next week, and
in view of the discussions which have
been rife in the state for some time
past as to the assessment and taxa
ton of property, the deliberations OF
the commission and the methods TAX
en- to ascertain what is the real value
of corporate property in the state Will
be Of considerable interest. The head
quarters Of the corporations doing
business in the state are for the most
part, if not altogether, without the
state and the officers and managers
of these corporations, are without the
state. Doubtless it will be advisable
to have statements from them as to
details Of the value of property In
the state, but whether subpoenas or
requests to appear and testify with
books and papers, will be needed re-
mains to be seen. II, however, q
basis is reached which will enable the
commission to arrive at the real val
us of corporate property, then some
thing will have been accomplished
toward correcting the evils Of faulty
assessment. The next thing to be
done will be to reach the real value
Of property within the state-of firms,
corporations and individuals, of real
property, stock of merchandise, bank
stocks and other property. This mat
ter of correcting evils In taxation
that have grown un through many
years of habit in making assessment
cannot be corrected all at once. Leg
islation will be needed, II our present
system of assessment is insufficient
or inadequate. and it seems 1t is. The
inquiries that will be made In the
state this year, If they do nothing
else, ought to suggest some legisla'
ton that will begin to remedy the
evils complained Of. And II that is
done it will be a good beginning.
It is only natural that the people Of