Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-05-22
A State Senator'S View

In your issue of May I notice
communication signed "A Voter" re-
questing the legislative candidate for
this county to declare the stand they
intend to take relative to qualifying
the peoples choice for United States
senators when they come before the
legislative assembly.
Now, I will presume your motive
honorable and answer your request
accordingly. For the benefit OF those
who do not already know, l will state
that l am farmer, and therefore in
a position to know their condition
and requirements. Some time over
year ago I was in Langdon attend
ing a meeting of the fair association.
Just then the special session of con-
gress had convened and reduction
of duties on grain was proposed, and
a drawback on Canadian wheat for
milling purposes. Senator Plain and
others talked the proposition over,
and it was agreed that l was to draft
a petition urging our representatives
in congress to use their influence to
retain the present duty. Senator
Plain took copy to Milton; Frank
Newly, I think, took a copy; one copy
was circulated in Langdon, and l
took one copy to the good town of
Hannah which was literally signed
by republicans and democrats; also,
during the last session of the legis-
lature l had a concurrent resolution
introduced urging our representatives
in congress to use every honorable
means to have lumber put on the free
list. This was passed and sent to
our representatives. You doubtless
are aware that Hon. Porter J. Me-
Cumber worked faithfully and ardent
ly as requested. He is the most per-
sistent advocate of the farmers
cause" in the United States senate.
His address before the committee on
the higher cost of living was a master
stroke of eloquence and sound logic,
and he who dares contradict such
statements is prejudiced bigot and
has not the best interests of the far.
mer and the country in mind.
My choice for the short term would
be Judge Engerud. He is an eminent
lawyer, we'll qualified to pass on such
legislation as would come before him.
Two such men as he and McCumber
would be a credit to the state.
You are also doubtless aware that
John Burke, governor of our state,
was an ardent advocate of the pri'
mary election law. Nevertheless he
has in two senatorial appointments
ignored it's advice.
Notwithstanding all my strong con.
victions as evidenced in the foregoing
and the precedent set by our govern
or, l will be advised and controlled
by the sovereign will of the people
of the state of North Dakota.
I might further state some of my
views on a few prominent questions
The present primary law is a disap'
pointment and must either be amend.
ed or abolished. I am not in favor
of the proposition for guaranteeing
bank deposits whereby the integrity
of one bank becomes liable for the un
scrupulous management of the other
I s<h not in favor of the initiative
and referendum, and especially to
amending the constitution by it's pro.
posed provision. I am in favor of the
reasonable enforcement of all laws on
our statute books.
| If this is not enough, Mr.. Voter
then write me all that I may join
my griefs to thy griefs and echo signs
! to thine.''
HENRY MCLEAN,
Cavalier County.