The Irish standard., 1909-11-13
A DARK HORSE GETS PLUM,
TO SURPRISE OF POL.
lTICIANS.
is NOT A PROMINENT POLITICIAN
Is cando Township Supervisor and
Towner County Judge.-Announce-
ment Of Johnson's Successor Fol-
lows Democratic Conference.

the favor1seS and fast horses In the
senatorial race, Fountain l.. Thomp
son of Cando, dark horse, won the
prize in the stresch.
The announcement of Thompson's
appointment followed one of the bus
lest conferences that has been held
among the leading Democrats Of the
state during the three weeks III which
the senatorship has been in the bal
ance. The announcement came as
surprise to the greater number of the
Democrats who were in the city, and
it 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 Democracy
in the state, his activities having
been largely confined to Towner coun-
ty, where he has been member of
the township supervisors, and county
Judge. He is close personal friend
of the governor, and 1t is said that
he was turned to as appointee after
it was seen that the Democratic lead
ers. of the state were hopelessly d.
/ vided as to q choice for the senator
ship.
Was Not Thought OF.
The Democratic leaders of the city
were surprised at the appointment as
Thompson was not looked upon as a
possible appointee, and his claims
have been urged only within the past
! day or so by delegation from Town
err county consisting Of ]. V. Brook.
Alex Currie and Thomas Conyers.
His appointment was announced af-
ter half day Of conferences in which
the claims Of various other candidates
were put forth.
These were those of George r. Duis,
state senator from Grand Forks coun-
ty; D. H. Macarthur of Bottineau, ].
P. Lamb of Michigan City, w. f. Pur-
cell of Wahpeton, and the claims Of
M. A. Hildreth Of Fargo were set
! forth in kilograms and various med
iums of Endorsement.
The Democrats in the city agreed
that Mr.. Thompson was an agreeable
gentleman, enjoying the confidence
and respect of his fellow-townsmen
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 seem
to be involed in the fractional differ
ences in the party.
Senator Thompson Talks.
In speking Of his appointment short
ly after he had been notified, Senator
Thompson said, at his home in Can
do: 1.-The appointment as senator to
represent the state at the first regular
session of the Sixty-first congress has
come to me entirely unsolicited on
my part, although a number Of friends,
understand. have been working in
my behalf. | asked them and l am
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 for
something like 20 years, and this fact
with the appointment.
"As for myself, have asked nothing
of the governor, but will accept the
appointment and do my best to credit
ably represent the state of North Da-
kUta.
II realize fully that the appoint
ment is more or less of an honorary
nature. 1t is well-known fact that
my politics are straight Democratic,
although have not been in favor of
free trade, but rather of tariff for
revenue only; and although l did not
bolt the party on the free silver issue.
did not come out in favor Of that
plank in the platform.
CAS- / said before, the appointment
has come entirely unsolicited on my
part, and in accepting it, propose to
perform the duties connected with the
Office to the best OF my ability"
| AN am