The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-09-22
Benton
home ON VISIT
COL. JOHN o. BENTON, ONCE
DEMOCRATIC LEADER IN NORTH
DAKOTA, DURING LAST cLEvE-
LAND ADMINISTRATION. VISIT.
ING OLD FRIENDS HERE. s....

Col. John D. Benton of Fargo and
San Diego Is back with. his family on
their biennial visit to their old home
here among their fast friends, who
constitute the older families Of this
city and state. , /
Colonel Benton was the democratic
leader and influential power Of North
Dakota a couple Of decades ago, DUR
ing the last administration of Grover
Cleveland. At that time he had the
close ear Of the president and was the
chief unofficial representative of hi
state Of Washington, where his In
tiuence was largely felt. = -
Two years e Colonel Benton visit
ed Fargo, having apartments at the
Rockwell for the summer and autumn.
In San Diego he is a close neighbor of
Major Darling, a pioneer resident of
Fargo, after whom Darling drive, along
the river. was named by the city park
commission.
Had Judson Harmon of Cincinnati,
former governor Of Ohio, received the
democratic nomination for president
at Baltimore instead of President Will
son, and been elected asst November,
Colonel Benton would doubtless have
been a frequent visitor at the White
House again, for he was a close friend
of the noted Cincinnati lawyer.
Colonel Benton, as n Of the most
influential democrats Of the northwest
at that time, played a prominent part
in h appointment of the present fed
eral judge When Governor Harmon was
attorney general in President Cleve-
lands last cabinet.
His many friends here in the city
are glad to welcome him back to Far
go this fall as well the members of his
family who are with him. They will
he here several weeks. The Benton
home in Fargo was on the corner Of
Third avenue n Thirteenth street
south. now the w. S.. Lowman resi-
dence.
Admires Wilson.
In speaking of the present demo-
cratic administration Colonel Benton
this morning spoke in high terms Of
President Wilson. and touched a little
on the approaching senatorial choice
IN North Dakota.
A l am now entirely out of poll
tics l cal sit Jack and view the whole
panorama Of the administrations pro-
gress," said Colonel Benton. "My son
'~ ~ Wv "I Il 44l1SSIOH WullG
President Wilson was president of the
university. He is a great admirer Of
Woodrow Wilson and so am /. Mr..
Wilson has shown remarkable. ability
in coping with the situation he has
faced and has satisfied the people.
Hardly any man before his time has
proven such a master of the situation
as has President Wilson,"
Talking of the sensational situation
il North Dakota Colonel Benton com
mented favorably on two of the demo-
Gratis mentioned for the place. while
l am not actively in touch with con-
ditions here just now, Of course I an,
interested in knowing all about the
North Dakota democrats" he said.
1.-TWO of the men / have heard men
toned for the place would indeed be
excellent candidates." he continued
He referred to former Governor Burke
and Senator Porterf1eld. "Mr. Porter
field is an able and fearless man an6
would make a fine representative in
the senate. Governor Burke's present
position would give him a great dea
Of prestige for the. place if he woulG
consider running for the nomination.