The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1916-04-20
PIONEER OF REFORM
NOT TO Be MlSLED
NEVER WAS AFRAID TO SPEAK
RIGHT OUT IN MEETING
Member of Legislature from Trail
County, . Farmer Himself, De.
n0unces Nonpartisan
Leadership

Hon. w. ]. Burnett, who has been
returned time and again as a member
of the legislature from Traill county,
has written letter to the Fargo Daily
Courier News, disappearing Of the
methods Of the Nonpartisan League
and refusing its endorsement as q can
didate for reelection to the legisla-
ture. Following is the letter:
II am surprised at the action of the
Nonpartisan League convention re-
Gently held in Fargo. That North Da-
kota is purely an agricultural state no
person will deny, and any law that will
advance or help agriculture will ben
eft directly or indirectly every citizen
of this state.
"The majority of the farmers Of
North Dakota believe that they have
not received just compensation for
their labor and products. They blame
the laws, or more properly the legisla-
ture, for most of their troubles. Hence
they turn to the legislature for redress
and a correction of their wrongs, and
declare that none but farmers shall
represent them. AS result a reform
movement has grown up in past years
to correct these abuses, and give to
the farmers what rightly belongs to
them.
Pioneer Pr0gressives Turned Down
"Now, what surprises me is that
most of the men who originated and
are the pioneers of the progressive
movement for reform in the political
affairs of our state, and have given
their time and means TO accomplish
it, and are still standing by and work
ing for it, were turned down by the
convention and new men unknown to a
majority Of the people, without ex-
perience, and who have given but lit
tie Of their time to the cause, have
been endorsed by the league to carry
the reforms through, and give the
farmers redress and correct the sbuse
complained Of. While the originators
Of the movement for reform in state
politics are expected to put their
shoulder to the wheel, give their time,
means and experience to these new
men and put the deal through. can
not approve of such methods, as they
are selfish, jealous and not in accord
ance with the high standard of equity
and justice which is claimed As the
cardinal principle of the Nonpartisan
League.
Burdck Logical Candidate
"Hon. U. L. Burdick is the acknowl-
edged and logical candidate of the re-
form forces Of this state at the pres.
ent time. And without any animosity
toward Mr.. ]. L. Frazier will say
that If he is conscientious and true
reformer, and wants to correct the
abuses complained of by the farmers
he will decline the honors thrust upon
him by the convention at Fargo and
do all he can for the nomination and
election of Hon. U. L. Burdick for
governor Of North Dakota.
Another grave mistake was the
turning down Of all three of the pres
ent railroad commissioners. One, at
least, should have been retained as it
, will take new men almost the length
of their term Of Office to become eff.
'cient.
Ignore Farmer Candidate
"And l can not understand why a
convention of farmers would refuse to
endorse farmer who has given his
time and means for our cause, and
whose farm was selected as the model
farm of North Dakota, and who stood
by us for our rights as a member Of
the board Of equalization, namely
Hon. John Steen. l believe the farm.
ers are entitled to relief from the in
Justices of which they complain, and
shall in the future as in the past dc
what I honestly can to relieve and
better their condition. Joined the
Nonpartisan League for that purpose
and l am not willing it shall be per.
verted to the selfish personal ambi
tions of any set of men.
"If we expect to get reforms