The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-05-14

will do things to him If he forthwith
does not get on his knees and pledge
himself to cringing su5se wi s1ce. He
Is known tried, tested and b IN found
worthy, an no one can gainsay the
fact that as governor he would give
the state Of North Dakota an efficient
and economical business ad .uinistra-
ticn.
Rolia Herald: A great yell has been
going up from q number OF the papers
throughout this state, since the re-
cent decision OF the supreme court
that the registration law is constitu-
tional.
The claim liz made that the law dis
franchises a large number OF the voters
as for instance, the socialists and pro-
h~ibitiontsts. The fact OF the matter
is that there is no such u state Of
things. If the socialists, or any other
body of men want to vote in the prim-
aries all that they have to do is to put
up a ticket and vote for it.
The primary law was and is de-
signed to give every voter q chance to
say who shall be a candidate Of his
party for public office. 1t is not and
should not be, a vehicle for giving a
democrat, a socialist, or a person of
any other political faith, q chance to
say who shall be the candidate of the
republican party, a v and only repuD-
leans. The rule also holds good the
other way, a republican should have
no right to express a preference as to
the candidacy of any person running
on an opposing ticket, and under the
present law this is guarded against.
For this reason we say that it is d
good law and should be strictly en-
forced.
Under the old caucus system, II a
republican made his appearance at a
democratic caucus, or a democrat at
a republican aucus, and attempted to
vote, he was not only DISTINGUISHED but
he was liable to suffer other little in
conveniences such as bruises, black
ayes and a bloody nose. The primary
law is a substitute for the old caucus
system and a voter should be allowed
no more latitude than he was under
| that system. 1t is all very well to talk
about Acknowledgement, but all such
talk is rot. The law takes nothing
away from anybody that they are en-
titled to. The writer Of this is a re-
publican, and he considers that he
would have as much right to attend a
meeting of the stockholders OF the
First National bank Of Roila, and cast
a vote in the election of officers for
that institution, as he would to call
for a democratic ballot at a primary
election and help to nominate their
ticket. When it comes to the election
proper, in the fall, If the democrats
have nominated a candidate on their
ticket that / consider Is superior to
the nominee for the same office on my
ticket, it is not only my privilege, but
/ consider it my duty to lay aside
party feelings and vote for that cam
didate.
Some of the papers have pulled q
long face and said, What IL the voter,
after registering, should have a change
of heart and want to join the other
party?' About the only cause there
is for such a change OF heart lie 'the
price, and the safeguards that
can be thrown around such changes
the better. Every voter in the state OF
North Dakota knows at all times what
party he afiliates with, and it should
be no hardship for him to sign an af-
adavit as to such affiliation. Legi-
mate changes Of political faith are
only made upon the party advocating
some measure or doctrine that the in
dividual cannot accept, and such
measures and doctrines are not usually
promulgated at this time Of the year
or rather between the time the as
SCISSOR makes his visit and primary
election day.
Again we say, the law is a good
law and should be strictly enforced.
Beach Chronicle: When L. B. Han.
ma endorsed the Roosevelt movement
in North Dakota, says an exchange, II
was considered by the progressives Il
be a clever scheme. and when Teddy
was defeated there was a large smile
on the countenances Of many, bu'
since Hanna was sincere In his en-,
dorsement and Teddy has met with
unlimited success in other states, t1I
progressive smile has changed. no
much is being said, while Hanna'i
gu~bernatorial aspirations continu,
brighter as the time for the primaries
approaches.
Edgeley Mail: The Mail insists tina
it is not paying much of a tribute t,
the intelligence Of the voters Of Nortl
Dakota to bring out G. A. Johnson Al
a candidate for governor. The Mai
would sooner support G. z. Jones thar
advocate the election of G. A. johnson
again.
Flasher Hustler: It is patent to mo
voters that L. B. Hanna, with his loni
legislative experience, in state and ma.
ton, is better equipped to give TIN
state a business administration aloni
lines of solid advancement--more 81
than any Of the candidates opposing
him.