The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1909-11-25

Wednesday last, Gov. Burke ap-
pointed Fountain L. Thompson, OF
Cando, as United statee senator to fill
the vacancycaused blythe death Of Hon.
Martin N. johnson. The new senator
is a Democrat, a mar of fine character
and a successful farmer, banker and
real estate dealer, but before his cleo
tion was practically unknown outside
of Towner county.
The governor has made it plain that
he desires to assume the responsibility
for the appointment, and in his public
statement regarding it claims the Sc
lection the best possible under the Cir
cumstances.
We believe the governor has made
a serious blunder, and, whether inten-
tional or not, has committed an act
hostile to his former public declara-
tions and in opposition to the plat
form OF his party.
The national Democratic platform
of 1908 is pronounced in its utterance
favoring the selection of United States
senator's by direct vote of the people.
Mr.. Bryan, who is the head and front
land we might add the middle and tail
of the Democracy, makes this n of
his pet hobbies, and on every possible
occasion breaches in favor of it.
In his first message to the legislative
assembly Gov. Burke urged the enact
ment of q primary election law, and
when it had been passed by a Repub.
lican legislature affixed his signature
to the bill.
All through his term of Office the
governor has made Flaw enforcement
the handspring of his administration,
and in his campign for reelection last
year the most telling argument be
urged for support was that he had en-
forced the laws without fear or favor.
When the opportunity came to show
that he was in favor of the spirit of
the primary law, when he could carry
into practical operation the theory of
his party on the question of the cleo
ton of United States senator's, when
he could demonstrate beyond question
not only his belief in law enforcement,
but his willingness to abide by the
laws of the state, he makes the mis-
take of his public career, turns his
back upon the policies he has advo-
Gated, and deliberately violates the
spirit of the primary law. At the pri-
mary election in June, 1908, a large
majority of the electors OF the Demo-
cratic party nominated Hon. John L.
Cashel, of Grafton, as their candi-
date for United states senator. The
Democratic members OF the legislative
assembly showed their good faith by
accepting as binding on them this ex-
preston of the electors of their party,
and cast their vote for their party's
choice. No public or private act OF
Senator Cashel since the primary has
rendered him ineligible to the position,
or relieved the governor from carry
ing out the expressed wish of his par
ty. Mr.. Cashel's past services for
the Democratic party, his standing in
the state, his experience as a legisla-
tor, his c in private business,
his training and temperament, and
his general reputation for worth, all
united to make him a fit man for the
position, yet the governor ignored all
this and selected an unknown and un-
tried man.
We believe the blunder of the COVER
o has sown the seeds of discomfort
and disunion in his party, has es
tranged him from the old time leaders
OF the organization who in the past
have made possible his success, with
out compensating result of satisfying
any large number of North Dakota
Democrats. We:also believe he has
lost in a large measure the confidence
OF the whole people Of the state, and
that the star of his political success
is on the wane.
Those who hailed John Burke as a
sec ond Lincoln will now be called up
on to reverse their estimate of the
man, who at the only real crises of
his Office, has demonstrated his lack
of tact, political sagacity, Judgment
and decision.-Walsh County Record.
That the land in North Dakota is
rapidly increasing in value is evident,
according to the Northwood Cleaner: