The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-03-18
TO THE DEMOCRATIC
VOTERS OF NORTH DAKOTA

The rank and file of the democratic
party in the state of North Dakota
have a right to know whether or not
the past record Of the six candidates
who now want to serve democracy in
the capacity of national committee
man has been such as would justify
the democrats in supporting them on
March 10.
f. A. Wilson of Bathgate, editor of
The Pink Paper, an old resident of the
state, feels that he is entitled to more
recognition than he has had in the
past on account of services rendered
the party. The facts are that MI.
Wilson lives in the first legislative dis
trict and has been a very close friend
of Hon. Jud LaMoure, who has been
the leader of the 'stalwart' faction
Of the republican party since terri
torial days. Their relations have been
SO close that when Mr.. wilson's name
was mentioned for the position of oil
inspector it was considered useless to
recommend any other person for the
place on account of the im~probability
Of getting the appointment confirmed
by the senate, because of the influence
of MI. LaMoure and his determination
| III TSWdLu Ills 1TlGllus DGIlOCI6lS Oh
Pembina county have openly charged
Mr.. Wilson with giving aid, by his
negative stand, to the republican can
didate, in the last senatorial contest,
in his district, thereby helping to de-
feat the democratic candidate, who
lost the election by sixteen votes. Mr..
Wilson has served four years as state
oil inspector, is now secretary to the
state normal board at a salary Of 500
per month and expenses, we are told.
In view of the fact that the democratic
party has had the distribution of the
patronage of the state for the past
six years only, it is considered that
MI. Wilson has been amply repaid
for any services he may have rendered
in the past.
Geo. Duis, state senator OF Grand
Forks, has been a resident Of the state
for about ten years. He wishes to be
judged by his legislative record, has
laid a great deal of stress on impor-
tant measures he has endorsed and
fathered in the state senate, and
claims he has always upheld Governor
Burke in his endeavors to bring about
desired legislation. In this connection
it would be well for the voters to re-
member Mr.. Duis was a delegate to
the convention that first nominated
Governor Burke, in 1906. That con-
vention went on record against the
abuse of the pass system, and advo-
Gated the enactment of the anti-pass
law. Governor Burke took the stump,
canvassed the entire state, and as
sured the people that he would do all
in his power to carry out the pledges
of his party. He was elected, sent in
his message to the legislature, recon-
mended for their consideration the
measures he had advocated on the
stump, and for which the democrats
had gone on record in their platform.
The legislature refused to give the
relief that the people desired. Governor
Burke was renominated in 1908, and
the democrats again went or record
against the abuse of the pass system.
| Governor Burke made his second ap-
peal to the voters, assuring them that
he would renew his request to the
Legislature to enact a law that would
do away with favoritism along that
line. At that session of the legisla-
ture, Senator Duis represented Grand
Forks county. and the very first OPP
p~ortunity he had to go on record he
voted for the railroads as against the
people, helping to kill the anti-pass
bill that was introduced along the
lines recommended in the democratic
platform. Duis refused to support the
anti pass bill as long as there Was a
chance TO defeat il and only voted for
It in 1911 when opposition to the meas
ure had become useless. The business
relations of Senator Duis with the
Great Northern Railway Co. have been
of such nature that the average elector
would have reaso to believe that, IN
case of national victory in 1912, the
railway company might expect him to
reciprocate in the matter OF appoint
ment Of II. S. attorney or u. s.. dis
trict Judge, in case of a vacancy. In
view of he fact that Senator puis
failed to give a true account to the
l~voters of the state. in his statement
Of his stewardship, and emphasizes
only such portions OF his record as
would appeal to the electors, Is he q
proper man to be elected TO a position
that will mean SO much to the future
welfare OF the democratic party?
True, Senator Duis pretends 70 en-
dorse William u. Bryan and his prin-
ciples, but with the railway interests
back Of Duis' candidacy and with Geo.
w, Wilkinson, Governor Harnnor's
campaign maragsr In Cass county ap-
! pealina for support for Duis for the