The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-10-21

~ SoAoduy dAdF OBLIVION.
Grand Forks Times: When an in
ventory of the campaign for governor
up to this time is made IL will be found
that the principal argument of the
democratic candidate for a third term
has been the fact that he has been
responsible for the increased valuation
OF railroad property for assessment
purposes, and has lowered the tax rate
of the state general tax fund. AS side
lights it is said by his supporters that
personally he is honest and officiaIly
he has obeyed the law. These two lat
ter are rather inconsequential mas.
much as the average run of men are
honest and do not expect to be wor-
SHIPPED for this quality common to
nearly all men, Neither does the av-
arage voter believe a public Official
deserves special commentator be-
cause he has obeyed the law. That Is
the smallest item in his obligations 10
the public. He is elected for that
purpose.
The Times has pointed out and
proven by the public records that the
democratic candidate has voted
against raising the property valua-
tions of the railroads for assessment
purposes. The fact that he may have
hedged later does not change the
principle. We have likewise shown
from Official figures that the reduc-
ton in the state general tax fund was
made possible by the enormous in
crease in taxable property in the
state during the last two years, ex-
elusive of the increased valuation OF
railroad property Moreover, il has
been shown, and is an indisputa BILE
fact that all these things were done
by the state board of equalization
which was composed of four repubIi.
cans and one democrat-the govern
Grand that 1t decides all questions
by majority vote and that the govern.
or has but one vote out Of Ave. In
addition to these propositions Is the
one that when the opportunity to do
a part act comes the democratic
candidate unhesitatingly uses the
power of his office to appoint dem
ccrat to the United States senate to
vote against the political convictions
Of nearly two thirds the people of the
state. That is the record upon which
the democratic candidate is asking
republican voters to elect him to- a
third term
Against these political sophistries
the republican party has elected 6.
A, Johnson AS III. l.. Burdick pointed
out in statement published In Mon
days Times, his nomination was no
accident, for he has been twice the
choice of the party in a primary
where every man had an equal chance.
Mr.. Johnson lis clean and honorable.
j. M. Devine.. leading progressive
republican and a citizen of the same
city as Mr. Johnson. declared in a
speech in this city q couple of weeks
ago, that Mr.. Johnson had been found
always on the side OF clean govern
ment and clean citizenship in the city
Of Minot. He is being opposed in his
home city who admits he sold his
support In other campaigns, and whorn
Governor Burke publicly stated In the
city of Minot he hoped to see govern
OF North Dakota. Men who have
seyed in the legislature with C.. Al.
johnson declare that his public life
has been honorable, upright and hon.
est. He was usually able to secure
what he wanted without the music OF
brass bands. But he did this because
he never sought more than his con-
stituents honestly deserved and when
he presented his claims on this basis
their justice was SO apparent that
there could be no oppcsitian
The writer recalls an incident In
the public life Of Mr. johnson which
illustrates his Droadminded and
his unselfshiiess III the legislative
session Of 1907 when he had secured
the passage ins the i legislature Of the
constitutional amendment providing
for q normal school ia his home city,
a delegation from Minot came to Bis
narck to lend whatever assistance
they could After the bill was passed