Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-09-30
BY Permission of the National Monthly,

Vt the beginning of the campaign of
1906, the State of North Dakota present
ed a republican front. the most formid-
able of any State in the Union In the
general election OF 1904 there was a total
of 61.9lS votes for the Office of Governor.
Of these he republican candidate re
ceived 1926, the democratic candidate
l6,744, and the scattering vote number
ing Bis. Expressed decilnally, the
figures show as follows IN round mum
bers:
For the republican candidate.....71 per cent.
For the democratic candidate.....5 per cent,
scattering per cent.
The republican organization of North
Dakota in 1906 was as complete and
effective as any political machine in the
Northwest. Out of a total of $50 news
papers in the State, fully $50 we're active
IN the support of the republican party;
perhaps ten were independent, though
having republican leanings: and only
about ten were out and out democratic.
In addition to this the democrats of
North Dakota had behind them a long
continued series of defeats. From the
advent of statehood in 1899 until the fall
of 1906, but one partial democratic
victory had taken place. During ter
ritorial days, from 1861 to 1884 and from
1883 to 1899, the government was con-
trolled absolutely by federal republican
%aipolntees, so that everything was most
favorable to the permanent alignment of
North Dakota as a banner republican
state,
This was the situation that confronted
the democratic party when. in the fall
of 1906, a democractic state ticket was
nominated, headed by John Burke, the
subject of this sketch, as candidate for
governor. Then followed one of the
most remarkable personal campaigns
ever witnessed in the Northwest, result
ing, so far as the ~goyernorship was con-
cerned, in turning the republican
\ pun AMY VI Dl.-OZ III ioOt, W d QeulO-
cratic plurality of 5,ll5 in 1906.
Chief among the reforms advocated
by Governor Burke in the 1906 campaign
we're The following.
/. Tic adoption Of a state vide primary.
.. The elimination oft4c political dictator.
3. Enforcement of law.
!. Reimbursement of railroad t~aXation.
>. Eradication of the railroad pass evil.
4. Better public service.
Up to and including 1906, the republi
can party Of North Dakota was run by 6
political boss, assisted by a select coterie
OF sub-bosses. These worthless came to
gether at regular intervals parceled GU,
the loaves and fishes, and framed up the
State ticket. Later a State convention
would be called and a brave lot resolu
tons solemnly adopted and the republi
can party extolled to the skies; ever,
man, and especially, every republican
was dubbed a King of Freedom. Tn,
American Eagle was made to scream
and futter, and then the brave soul
closed their eyes and guIped down tn,
l political dose prepared in advance b,
{ the political ring master.
1t is different now, the State primar,
election law is in operation, and AS
result a political boss and a lot of chea,
l subs are out of jobs.
North Dakota is q prohibition State
5 The principle of prohibition was adopt
ed as a part of the constitution in 1S9.
4 To give force and effect to that cor
+ stitutional provision, the Legislature
from time to time, enacted laws, tn
honest application OF which was boun
to make North Dakota prohibition i
o in fact as we'll as in name. 1t was nj
torious that under republican admin,