The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-11-19
sen. |[|lI|0h|PS'!|lD
4 DARK HoRsE GERS PLUM,
70 SURPRISE cf POL.
ITiciAN9.
IS NOT 0 4 /. STATE !. LEADER I

Il cando Township Supervisor and
Towner County Judge.-Announee-
ment Of Johnson's Successor Fol.
lows Democratic Conference.
misunderstanding all of the favor.
ties and fast horses in the senatorial
race, Fountain L. Thompson Of Cando,
q dark horse. won the prize in the
stretch.
The announcement of Thompson'a
appointment followed one of the bus.
lest conferences that has been held
among the leading Democrats of the
state Turing the three weeks in which
the senatorship has been in the bal
ance. The announcement came as a
surprise to the greater number of the
Democrats who were in the city. and
1t is likely 1t will be an. equally great
surprise to the Democrats Of the
state.
Thompson has not been reckoned
as among the leaders of the Democra.
cy in the state, his activities having
been largely confined to Towner coun.
ty, where he has been a member Of
the township supervisors, and county
Judge. He is close personal friend
of the governor, and it is said that
he was turned to as appointee after
1t was seen that the Democratic lead.
ers a of the state were hopelessly di.
vided as to choice for the senator.
ship.
The Democratic leaders of the city
we're surprised at the appointment as
Thompson was not looked upon as q
possible appointee, and his claims
have been urged only within the past
day or so by delegation from Town.
er county consisting Of ]. v. Brook
! Alex Currie and Thomas Conyers.
His appointment was announced at
ter half day of conference in which
the claims Of various other candidates
were put forth.
These were those of George e. Duis
state senator from Grand Forks coun
ty; d. H. Macarthur of Bottineau, ]
P. Lamb Of Michigan City, w. E. Pur
cell Of Wahpeton, and the claims Of
M. A. Hildreth of Fargo were sci
forth in kilograms and various med
tums Of Endorsement.
The Democrats in the city agreed
that Mr.. Thompson was an agreeable
gentlman, enjoying the confidence
and respect of his fellow.townsmer
and of those who were acquainted
with him.
Most of them ascribed his appoint
ment to the personal friendship be
tween the governor and the appointee
and to the fact that he did not seen
to be involved in the fractional differ
ences in the party. +5,.f..
In speaking Of his appointment short
~ after he had been notified, Senator
Thompson said. at his homes in Can
do: "The appointment as senator to
represent the state at the first regula,
session Of the Sixty-first congress has
come to me entirely unsolicited on
my part, although number of friends
understand, have been working in
my behalf. I asked them, and I an
sure that they have not urged the
governor unduly in my behalf.
1T is well-known fact that I have
been friend Of Governor Burke's fo1
something like 20 years, and this fact
undoubtedly has had something to de
with the appointment.
"As for myself, I have asked moth
ing of the governor, but will accept
the appointment and do my best t.
creditably represent the state Of NORTH
Dakota.
81 realize fully that the appoint
ment is more or less of an honorary
nature. It is a well-known fact that
my politics are straight Democratic
although have not been in favor OF
free trade, but rather of tariff fol
revenue only: and although did moi
bolt the party on the free silver issue
/ did not come out in favor Of thai
plank in the platform.
"As said before, the appointment,
has come entirely unsolicited on my
part. and in accepting it, propose t.
perform the. duties connected with the
Office to the best Of my ability"