Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-29
A SPONTANEOUS CAMPAIGN

When 1t was known d0Ilh1toly that th0r0 were to be
In the field In this congressional campaign one candidate
representing the Democratic party and one having the en-
dorsemant Of the governtns element in the Nonpartisan
1t was felt by very many people. and probably by
most, that the man who should be nominated by the re
publican convention would have . hard campaign ahead
II him., with the issue in doubt. II. the league members
could be held tossthsr and the non-lsague vote be divid-
cd betwssn two candidates. 1t vas probable that the DEM
ocratic candidate would be out of the running, and very
evident that the Republican candidate would have little.
II any. to spare.
But the occurrences Of the past few days place the
situation in . different light. An enthusiast would say
that there IL In prosTsas = landslide toward Burtness.|
support Is coming to him from all directions. and the
gratifying feature is that this support is coming voluntar-
lily. The Burtnesa campaign. in it's force and enthusiasm.
ts a spontaneous one.
Several things have contributed to this. There are
man for whom the lessusrs were expected and instructed
to vote. did not ret we'll with q great many members Of
that organization. Men like to be consulted on matters
which Affect their interests. and the members Of the
league were not consulted as to whether or not they wish
ed any candidate to receive the endorsement Of their or
ganizatien. and. II so, what particular candidate should
be chosen. The man actually chosen by the bosses is un-
questionabiy the last man whom ninety-nine league naena-
bers out Of q hundred would have selected - congress.
sonal timber. Leaving out Of the question the fact that
he has always declared himself a Democrat. and that he
Ia known to be strongly socialistic in his tendencies. and
the further fact that prior to his recent removal to this
district he wan associated with q naga5ine Of such Z char
actsr that 1t cannot be circulated through the mails. Mr..
Baer was a man without political standing or experience
of any kind, and was utterly unknown by name and rep
utssien to the vast majority of those who were expected
to vote for him. Self-respecting mon do not like to be
treated In that manner.
Then there was the amazing stupidity of the tactics
employed by Mi. Lsmke In seeking to secure for the
Townley candidate 4 stolan cloak in which to masquerade
in the shape Of q Republican" endorsement. People will
sometimss stand for q trick who will resent a blunder,
and the Ieuke performance was a blunder of the most
stupid kind.
In addition to the causes for resentment found in the
methods pursued by the sponsors of Mr.. Baer, there was
the positive feature Of the standing and character of
olser 3. Burtness. the Republican nominee. Mr.. Burt
ness was chosen in . Republican gathering which was
thoroughly representative, and in the shaping Of which
every Republican In the district was abls to have q voice.
And he IL in every way worthy Of the honor which was
conferred upon him.
All Of these things have contributed to create a sit
uation which At this time looks more like . landslide to-
ward Burtnsss than anything else. The Herald 10 making
no predictions. One mans guess 10 ~ good as another's,
and election predictions ae profitlses ana unsatisfactory
things. But The. Herald does gay very smphatically that
tho support being given Mr.. Burtnsss now II Of the most
satisfactory character, and It 10 evident that he is rolling
up strength every day.