The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1916-05-04
Readable Story Of Attempt
to Sidetack Valley City Man

The following is being published in
the state papers with Minot date line
as the true story Of the reported at
tempt to get L. s. Platou to withdraw
from the race for the Democratic nomi-
nation for governor. Mr.. Platou on
Tuesday informed the Times-Record
that he had never been approached in
any way in regard to withdrawing, so
the published story is untrue in this
one particular, at least. How much of
the rest is pipe-dream remains to be
seen. At that the story makes inter-
esting reading. The article follows:
John Bloom, E. H. Stenvik and
George Mcclure are said to be the
three men responsible for the recent
attempt to do something to F. O. He'll
strom in order to eliminate the "Big
Noise' from the senatorial race in
Democratic circles.
The real season for the attempt to
get the land office at Minot for D. H.
Macarthur is said to be because John
Burke refused to attempt to carry with
him Macarthur for the governorship. So
other arrangements had to be made
and made quickly. There was only one
thing to do-McArthur must be taken
care of and the best available position
was the Minot land Office, which had
been promised to George Mcclure.
Mcclure was under obligations to
Halvor Halvorson who, by reason of
his nationality, and because he has
kept himself fairly free from the Dem
ocratic melee, was figured to be accep
table to all factions, except perhaps
the Equity Democrats. To get them in
line Olson of Valley City was picked
for the candidate to run for secretary
of state on the Democratic ticket.
Neither Olson nor DR.. Platou were con-
suited until after the petitions had
been printed for Halvorson, Burke, and
Olson.
One E. Goltz was selected to ghost
DR.. Platou and the doctor was simply
told that he would be taken care of in
some other way and what right had he
to run and attempt to split the Nor
wegian vote against Halvorson?
Stenvik having laid his plans then
went and secured the resignation of
Corget, the present incumbent Of the
Minot land Office, to take effect at
once. The petitions of Burke, Halvor-
son and Olson were put into circula-
tion, meeting of the Democratic cen
trail committee called and formal &C.
ton taken endorsing the three men for
these positions.
Immediately afterwards Stenvik de-
parted for Washington to put Near.
thur through and to fix up things so
that Platou might have a federal ap-
pointment of some kind.
But there is a hitch in the program
and so many protests have been receiv'
ed against the deal that the admins
tration is in despair just what to do.
1t is said that there may be repeti.
ton of the Pembina appointment,
where Macarthur was salted and then
at the last moment another name was
sent through, leaving him out in the
cold. ... ..s.s ......
Platou has absolutely refused to ell
inmate himself and the harmony
crowd is waiting until Stenvik returns
before attempting some other way.
Platou figures that if he secures the
nomination he stands an excellent
chance Of being elected. The disinte-
grafton Of the Norpartisan league may
not proceed apace. It is an open Sc.
cret that if the leaders Of the league
fail in their attempt to capture tho
Republican party they will vote the
Democratic ticket in the fall, provided
they can hold their followers to this
program. .h @e ..~.a.s
Platou has always kept on friendly
terms with the society of Equity and
the league officials and is said to have
some assurance that he would make
very acceptable governor, in case
Frazier is licked.
n D. Boy Heralded As