Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1914-01-29
PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE
DISCUSS CANDIDATES
ENDORSEMENT LEFT TO THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
L. j.. Burtlick OF Williston Favored
for Governor,

az So' 'du. S1--l mere we're elSn-
ty persons present at the Progressive
league meeting yesterday afternoon,
many OF them state officials and
members Of the legislature. After
preliminary organization, F, E. Pack
ard, newspaper editor and member
OF the state tax commission, took
the floor and said that the league
should be more aggressive and that
there was enough material lying
around loose at the state house to
enable any newspaper to elect an
entire reform ticket. He advocated
the endorsement by the league of
U. l.. Burdick of Williston as can
oidate for governor. The question
of endorsement was discussed at con-
siderable length, but was finally left
to the executive committee
J. U. Hemmi of jamestown said
Hanna can be beaten. He favored a
statement Of principles but not an
endorsement of candidates; it would
endorse candidate.
W. II. Stutsman of the state rail-
way commission says that if the
league has any hope of success it
must be through united effort. He
favored endorsement because three
times the league has been fooled. He
hesitated to take a part in the pro-
ceedings because he felt that office
holders ought not to dominate it.
Miller for Burdick.
Attorney General Miller's remark
that he himself is a candidate-but
he did not state what for-brought
applause and laughter. He is not
asking an endorsement for himself,
he said. The progressive republi-
cans are not entitled to candidate
unless they endorse him. Had we
more than one candidate" he said,
I'VE might discuss, but there is only
one."
He supposed Of course Hanna is
candidate. Organization is neces-
sary; the governor must be the titu-
lar head of the state organization,
and if the progressive republicans are
to capture the party they must have
the governor. They must have nerve
enough to go after that Office They
ought to endorse Burdick.
Packard again spoke, saying that
if the league wants Burdick to run
he is sure lie will make the race.
lsurdick Appears.
This brought Burdick out in front
with much applause. He said that
he could save much unnecessary talk
though he had early in his political
career been instructed by veteran
politician that if he wants anything
he should keep his d mouth shut"
Remembers Hansborough.
1t is unfair to ask him to make
that race; the financial sacrifice is
great; he is lawyer and longing to
get out Of public Office and practice
his profession. Some men may be
dazzled by the honors, but he remem-
bered II. c. Hansborough, and knows
that such financial reckoning comes
to most politicians. After Is years
in the U. S. senate he saw Hansbor-
ough defeated, deserted, left sick and
and alone in hotel. 1t was the
sOrriest sight he ever saw when that
once powerful leader was repudi-
ated,
II Only One.
Mr.. Burdick is willing to share
those losses, but only on one condi-
ton. If all other possible candi-
dates are eliminated; if none other
is available for the progressive re-
publicans, he would make the sacri-
flee. In such case his only aim would
be to win the race. If he does start
he will keep on until he is elected.
Time to Find Party.
But he thought it not time now
for choosing candidates but a time
to take bearings and see if we have
any republican party. The demo-
Gratis have stirred things up greatly
and unless the republicans stand for
principles there is no use in main
tanning the party. 1t has been di-
verted from it's ancient principles by
its recreant leaders and if it is now
merely waiting for the democrats to
make mistakes, there is nothing left
to fight for.
Mr. Bessesen thought this was the
man needed and favored endorse