The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-01
N. D. POLITICS AS
SEEN BY CHENEY
MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL PoLITI.
GAL, WRITER SIZES UP sITuA-
TON AS He SEES IT-sAYs
AGREEMENT WAS REACHED TO
GIVE LAFoLLETTE DELEGATES

Charles B. Cheney, political writer
Of The Minneapolis Journal, sizes ND
the North Dakota situation, in spe-
cial to his paper from Grand Forks.
as follows:
Sen. r.. M. La Toilette will get the
ten delegates from North Dakota In
the republican national convention
without contest. The Taft men have
subdued the combative spirit OF few
like James Kennedy. national commit
teeman, and Jim" Shea, United States
marshal, and 1t is now understood that
no Taft candidates for delegates will
De put up IN the primaries next March.
All Because Of Reciprocity.
Canadian reciprocity is at. the bot
tom OF 1t all. North Dakota, of all
states in the union, was most bitterly
opposed to the presidents agreement
with Canada The protest against 1t
was Joined in by stalwarts and pro-
gressives alike. and fractional differ
euces never were lost sight of so COM
pletely. Following Canadas rejection
OF the pact. when wheat went up,
North Dakota farmers were convinced
beyond any possibility of change that
the administration had tried to sacri-
fice them. Their prejudice against
Taft Is SO strong that the state is con-
coded to La Toilette in the convention
and the only question is whether the
republican trainers can be held In line
for the party next November, as
against a democrat. 1t is a favortte
threat that IL Taft is nominated the
North Dakota farmers will support
any man the democrats put up, pos
sibly barring Harmon. Many BUSH
ness men take the same attitude.
Leaders of the stalwart faction were
most consistent of all In their stand
pat attitude. and opposed the reci-
procity agreement and carried the
fight too far at, this juncture to do
anything for Taft. Most Of them
would like now to stand for Taft II
there was any use in doing IT., prefer
ring him on general principles to La
Toilette. but in the existing state of
public opinion they feel 1t would only
be wrecking their political futures.
Neither would 1t do Taft any good.
as It would only intensity feelings that
now exist.
Hanna Against n Fight.
Cong. L. b. Hanna, now a candidate
for governor. has had good deal to
do with the decision not to make a
fight for Taft. Always identified with
the stalWart faction and expecting the
solid support from that element In
the party. he is trying to break over
the factional lines. and lis working for
progressive votes. He has not de-
clared for Taft or La Toilette. and liz
the issue is not pressed he will go
through the campaign without taking
a stand.
North Dakota will be- the first state
TO declare Its choice for president. I'm
der the new presidential preferences
law. q primary will be held for both
parties March. 10. and the voters win
declare their preference for party
candidates for president and vice
president Names for either once win
be put on the ballot by petition, 500
names being required. At the same
time the voters win select national
committeeman for each party. dele
gates to the national convention. and
presidential electors. The progressives.,
from all indications. Will have che
March primary pretty much to them
selves on the republican side. and the
fight will come Ia the June primaries.
when candidates for state and local
Office will be named. The progressives
viii put up slate Tor delegates. ana
a candidate for national committees
man. and no other filings are likely 10
be made.