The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-06-04
FOR U. s. SENATE,

/ am a candidate for the positio
of United States senator, subject I
approval of the republican voters @
the state at the next primary election
/ am a firm believer in party or
ganization as the most efficient mean
of securing wise legislation and goot
government. In order that the part,
shall serve that end, however, it il
essential that no person or faction b.
permitted to convert the party or,
ganization into a machine" for the
furtherance of seliah interests.
The senators and representatives il
congress are chargeable in a Iarg,
measure with the responsibility OF
shaping and effectuating the policies
Of the party to which they belong, anC
4 conceive 1t to be one Of their high
est duties unselfishly to exert their
influence to the utmost in and out OF
congress so as to maintain the in
tegrity and purity Of their party as an
agency for good government and ma
.tional progress,
! One or the defects in our system OF
government is the absence of any
definite and responsible leadership in
legislation; and the consequent in
ability Of the general body of voters
to know definitely whom to hold re-
sponsible for legislation or the lack
of it.
This absence of definite individual
responsibility aids the corrupt legis-
lator to conceal his nefarious work:
and it also affords the demagogue the
opportunity to misrepresent and dis
parage the efforts and motives of
I'D
the people with his false and superb
cial appeals to popular passion and
prejudice.
To the same cause is largely due the
ever increasing mass of inharmoniuos
and poorly constructed legislation,
which makes the execution of the
laws and the administration of JUS
tice altogether too slow and uncer-
tain.
These evils are, believe, the great
est obstacles in the way of effective
and progressive legislation at the
present time. Public opinion is well
nigh unanimously in favor of the
Roosevelt Taft policies, and it is well
understood what these policies are.
But definite and practical legislation
TO make these policies effective has
been obstructed and delayed by the
evils above mentioned.
/ suggest for consideration as a
possible remedy for these evils that
the right and duty to directly initiate
and oppose legislation be given to the
president, to be exercised in the con-
gress in person or through the men,
bers of his cabinet: not, however. to
the exclusion of any of the existing
rights and duties of the senators and
representatives in that respect.
think this would tend TO diminish
the quantity Of proposed legislation
and improve its quality.
The executive could thus directIv
and openly introduce and enforce ac-
ton by congress upon measures de-
signed to fulfill party pledges. The
People would thus be better informed
as TO the nature and merits of pro-
posed measures; and know where to
place the blame for Objectionable
laws or the failure to enact proper
legislation.
| believe in the principles of the re-
publican party and its policies as an
nounced in it's last national platform.
| admire the courage and states
manship displayed by President Taft;
and believe that the policies and
measures hitherto advocated by him
should have the cordial and undivided
support of all republicans.
l shall in the coming campaign
more fully and specifically present to
the voters my views on public ques-
tions. Yours respectfullv
EDWARD ENGERUD.