The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-29
CRITICIZE
STATE CHAIRMAN
LOCAL DEMOCRATS BELIEVE
STATE CHAIRMAN McARTHUR
is PLAYING BosSIsM IN SELECT
ING CANDIDATE FOR COVER
NOR TO PERPETUATE POWER.

For the past week ~dissension has
been reigning supreme in the local
democracy and among the leaders who
have been in the city from various
points over the state over State
Chairman McArthur's reported activity
as head of the state organization and
as a federal o~fficeholder in the guber-
national primary campaign.
/ The fact that Mr.. Macarthur rece.V-
&c an appointment from the federal
government this spring. many demo-
Gratis believe. should naturally mean
his retirement from activities in the
state organization.
Such does not seem to be his in
t~ention, however, they declare. The
local leaders say he is buster than
ever building up his fences as they
affirm this is his last big fight for con
troll of the state organization, between
now and the June primaries.
Cries of bossism, nepotism inc other
similar charges have been heard dur
ms the last week in Fargo's demo-
cratic circles. Editor Wilson of The
Bathgate Pink Paper has come out
openly declaring Mr.. Macarthur would
prefer to have his candidate for gov
ernOr nominated next month, ever
though realizing he could not be elect
ed in November, just so as to keep his
control Of the state organization.
Local democrats seem to be of the
opinion that the reason the state
chairman appears to be making such
strenuous efforts to win this primary
campaign is because he desires to give
the impression at Washington that he
is the big man of North Dakota's
democracy. 1t is whispered loudly on
all sides in real stage whispers that
MI. Macarthur fully appreciates if he
is beaten at the primaries June "a, his
name hereafter is Dennis.
Some of the dissatisfied, and they
seem to be legion in the party these
days, have been heard with cries Of
nepotism. The recent appointment
Of Mr.. McArthur's son-in-law, Joseph
A. Kemp. to the receivership of the
GAINESVILLE National bank, has been
pointed to as evidence of this.
In another direction, up in the
northern part of the state, where the
state chairman came from when he
made his debut in politics as a state
leader some years ago, another rela-
tive is said to be on the list Of posi-
bilities for the Bottineau postofice.
The candidates there are said to be
Mrs. Andy Johnsan, who has offered
to withdraw it is understood if Mrs.
William Collins is named, and Mr..
Stewart, a brother-in-law of the state
chairman. People of Bottineau seem
to be quite exercised about it, so it is
rumored here.
When Mr.. Macarthur returned from
Washington this spring, his name was
mentioned as a gubernational posi-
bility by some Of his lieutenants. It
is broadly limited that the reason for
this was to discredit the reports which
had reached Washington that there
was any dissatisfaction in the North
Dakota democracy with the chairman
and the distribution of patronage.
But some have said Mr.. Macarthur
has seriously had his eye on the guber-
national nomination for some time
and that was one Of his reasons tina
he gave Mr.. Hellstrom such little sup
port two years ago. This, of course,
is only the political gossip in demo-
cratic circles, but it seems to be gen.
eral throughout the party.
Also it has been extensively report
ed that the state chairman would not
have seriously objected if former Gov
ernor Burke had appointed him United
States senator instead of either Sena-
tors Thompson or Purcell several
years g and even appeared some
what miffed that he was not.
The whole contention of the indie
pendent forces seems to be Mr.. Nc
Arthur. And 1t would look as though
the sun were setting on his supre-
lacy.