The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-11-02
BURKE OF n, Dakota
A man OF THE PEOPLE

The records Of the two men in the
public service also present striking
differences. When John burke was
governor OF his state, and the fact
that he was chosen three times for
that office as Democrat. although
there are more Republicans than
Democrats in North Dakota. shows
him--he was continually putting forth
his best efforts to accomplish the
things which the people desired and
which 1t was for their interests that
they should have. For instance the
farmers wanted terminal warehouses
in which to store their grain. outside
was something of the highest I'M
portance to them. In order that they
might be constructed an amendment
to the state constitution was neces-
sary. Governor Burke fought for the
project and succeeded in having the
constitution amended SO that the
warehouses might be built in st.
Paul. Minneapolis and Duluth.
6urke's Strong Record.
He recommended and the legisla-
ture passed acts making the judiciary
and the schools nonpartisan.
He recommended and the legislature
enacted an anti-pass law.
He recommended and the legislature
roads laws.
He recommended the initiative ana
the referendum and the legislature
complied with his requests.
He recommended and the legislature
passed corrupt practices act.
He recommended and the legislature
provided legislation requiring the rail-
roads to keen their rOadbe4ls in good
condition.
He recommended and the legislature
enacted u primary law to enable the
people to select their own senators. be-
fore the ADOPTION Of the amendment to
the federal constitution.
He recommended the adoption Of
the amendment providing for an in
come tax and the legislature carried
out his wishes.
He urged the farmers on every pos
sible occasion to rotate their crops,
conserve the soil and enter upon diver
sified farming. He urged tree culture
and took an active part in advancing
the education Of settlers. especially
In the western part Of the state, in
dry farming. He worked for the devel-
opment Of a school Of forestry and
for the betterment of all state instt-
buttons.
Thus throughout six years that he
served as governor Of the state John
Burke was diligently laboring to pro-
state.
McCumber's Position.
Senator McCumber's record u the
senate on the other hand. shows that
his activities in regard to various
matters Of important legislation have
been inimical to the best interests of
the farmers Of North Dakota.
He fought for an amendment to the
income tax law which was designed to
make that measure unpopular.
He opposed the federal reserve act,
admitted to be the greatest piece Of
financial legislation ever placed upon
the statute books because the banks
would only be entitled to five or six
per cent upon the small capital they
would invest in the reserve banks.
He endeavored to prevent a con-
gressional investigation Of the steel
trust.
He attacked the bill providing for
the construction of government own
ed railroad in Alaska to open UP the
great resources Of that vast territory
for the benefit of the public rather
than for the benefit Of exploiters.
He voted against the antitrust law
and against the provision which ex-
empts agricultural organizations not
conducted for profit from prosecution
under it.
He voted against the federal trade
commission bill and against the in
come tax which is one of the features
of the Underwood tariff bill.
He voted for but spoke against the
direct election of United States sena.
tors by the people. He vosed against
"l,sting Judge Archibald. who was inn
peached by the house and tried by the
senate for malfeasance in office Arch
bald was found guilty and removed
from the bench.
Senator McCumber also voted
against unSe;,ting Senator Lorimcr Of
Illinois after the proof HAD been sub
mitted that his election was obtained
by eruption and fraud.
This is only Il snail part of the
record of the North Lukot, senator
as showing the manner in which he
has stood with the old guard in the
senate and with the slandpa tiers and
reactionaries of his party # is quite
at Variance with the record made by
!ohn Burke when he was govel nor OF
the state.