Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-01-05
THE NEXT SPEAKER.

the present session.
THE NEXT SPEAKER.
The dark horse oftentimes wins
the race and this proved to be the
case with the selection of a speaker
for the house. Messrs. White and
Skulason, who were the leading can
didates of the so-called insurgent or
progressive element of the party,
could not get together, and the cau-
Gus of the members Of the insurgent
following set them aside and united
on Mr.. Burdick, who had not taken
an active part with either tactic,
of the house membership, and who it
was generally conceded would be
fair, unbiased and unhampered by
past prejudices of intense factional
feeling.
Mr.. Burdick is one of the youngest
members of the house in point of age,
but has had the advantage of a for
mer term in the house, is familiar
with its way and methods and is of
disposition that will wear with
the members OF his life and exper-,
fence the following biographical
sketch published in the North Dakota
Magazine two years ago gives the fol-
1nuuino Dor<i o,,1ors.
"U. l.. Burdick was born in Owa-
tonna, Minnesota, in 1879, of New
England parents of French and Irish
ancestry. Removed to Graham's is
land, North Dakota, in 1882. Ora
hams Island was at that time sur
rounded by the waters of Devils Lake
and Fort Totten on the Sioux Indian
reservation, the nearest trading point
was reached by means of ferry.
Because of this isolation the school
advantages of these early days we're
very deficient and it was not until he
was fourteen years of age that he at
tended a six months term of school.
AT eighteen he left the farm and en-
tered the state normal school at May
Vile, North Dakota. After attending
the normal four years, alternating
with teaching country school In Ben
son county during the summer vaca-
ton, he graduated in June, 1900. He
was then appointed deputy superin-
tendent of schools of Benson coun-
ty, which position he held until the
fall of 1901, when he entered the
University of Minnesota as a law stu
dent. It was in the sumemr follow
ing that he received his first expert
'ence in politics, being nominated as
county superintendent Of schools on
the Republican ticket. But realizing
the need of an interrupted course in
law, he declined the nomination and
resumed his studies in the university.
Being interested in athletics as well
as studies, he became q member of
the Varsity football team and played
right end on the famous 1903 cham
pionship team of Minnesota. He
graduated from the law department
in June, 1904, and was admitted TO
the bar of North Dakota in March
In the fall of the same year
he was elected cashier of the First
National bank of Munich"
Mr.. McCrea, who had the support
Of large number of the members
of the house for the speakership, is
an old member Of the house and one
of the best known residents of Penn
bina county. Mr.. McCrea is an ex-
perienced legislator, and it should be
a matter of satisfaction to him that
so many of the members of the house
heartily Endorsed mis- candidacy. He
would have made, it is believed, an
eminently fair and impartial presid-
ing officer, but he has been in politics
long enough to realize that it Is one
of the fortunes of war tofbe defeat
ed. Mr.. McCrea will be found one
of the leaders Of the house, in what
ever capacity he may be placed, and
his counsels will be for wise legisla-
ton and for party unity and har-s
mony. ~ 1.<:, ~, =
- p. 100. g..
The selection of Senator La Moure
as chairman Of the Republican eau
Gus in the senate was nice comDli-
ment to the Pembina county senator.
He is the only member of the upper
house who has been member Of the
senate since statehood. In politics
he is known as good fighter, Will
ing to give and take blows, and he
has not hesitated to defend his at.
fliations and the things for which he
stands. AT the same time he is pop
ular with the members, irrespective
Of party or faction, and they appre-
ciate his familiarity with the AFFAIRS
t#r