The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1917-02-08

The OIllNEAU COUHANI, BOIllNEAU,N OKIH DAhOIA
THE PATRIOTS OF 1917.
Again The Palladium is impened to express commentator and
encouragement for the heroic efforts which are being exerted by
the members of the Nonpartisan League to carry out their promis-
es to the people by enacting the legislation which they are now
attempting. These members are honest in their convictions; they
are endeavoring to release themselves from the bondage which
has spurred them on to giving battle. The very fact that they
have the fight of their lives to make, and that they are meeting
with opposition which would cool the ardor of any other than
patriots, proves the grasp which their enemies have on the peo-
|pe of this state.
Robbed in wheat grades; robbed again on dockage; robbed
again in railroad rates; robbed again by the loan sharks; robbed
again on every side when they attempted to sell a product of their
toll, and, in addition to all this, compelled to pay 30 per cent of the
taxes of the state without a word to say as to their condition or
their government, these sons of toll, these men who feed the
world, have arisen like a giant and are determined to burst the
bands which have held them in bondage.
What their degree of success may prove out to be cannot be
stated today; but, if defeated by a dominating minority, just as
sure as tomorrow's sun shall rise, just as sure they will register
an overwhelming victory at the next election. These people are
in the same position as the patriots of 1776, when they rebeIed
against taxation without representation" and this should be
their slogan. In the words of General Grant, "they intend to fight
it out on this line, if it takes all summer" 1t may take two sum-
mers-and a winter or two-but a determined people fighting for
the right, cannot be eternaly denied in this land of ours.
All honor should be accorded these men who are engaged in
battling for this righteous cause. Their hearts, their souls, their
manhood are wrapt up in this principle, and in years to come,
when it is settled, and future generations are enjoying the bene-
fits brought about by this struggle, posterity will sing to their
memory that anthem of praise, "Sires of old, your names are
writ in gold" as they proclaim the honor of "the patriots of
1917. "-Bismarck Palladium.
1t is reported that in South Dakota a fund of $50, 900 has been
raised to combat the Nonpartisan League. Why not hire North
Dakotas "Good Government League? It's mission in this state
is fulfilled.
It does not take much to uncork a flow Of oratory from the
opponents of the farmers program in the North Dakota legislature.
When representative Divet thought he had discovered that the
words patriotism" and "moraity" had been substituted with
"Public spirit and "purity' in the educational clause of the pro-
posed constitution he fairly scared to the ceiling in evolutionary
denuncatOn. 1t would seem that there was little to get excited
over. Public spirit and purity are practically synonymous with
patriotism and morality. But, as a matter of fact, Divet has
gotten hold Of the wrong section and it was pointed out that both
"patrotism' and morality. were left intact, exactly as in the old
constitution. This was pointed out after Divet had declared that
"the hand that had penned these lines, and made that change,
would put poison in the wells in front of his own countryis army,
or would lead a little sister to the brothel." And he did not even
have the decency to apologize after his mistake had been called
to his attention..
The Grand Forks Herald interviewed five Grand Forks citi-
zens on the assassination of House Bill "A, all of whom expressed
great satisfaction over the senate action. 1t is interesting to note
the personnel of the quintet interviewed. First there is Tracy
Bangs, prominent standpat attorney. Then comes A. /. Hunter,
banker, E. J. Lander, banker, O. IS. Hanson, banker, and last, butt
not least by any manner of means, Jerry Bacon himself, owner of
the Grand Forks Herald. Jerry was so enthused that he sugges-
ted "the men who stood against Bill "A in both houses should be
placed on a roll of honor for saving the state from a chance OF
being thrown into bankruptcy by it's passage" The people have
spoken! The poor fellows who supported Bill Al now ought to
be ashamed of themselves.
The same people who a few years ago were deriding the
idea of state-owned elevators, packing plants and flour mills now
grudgingly admit that the idea is all right, but the "methods"
and the undue haste" in securing these things are all wrong: If
the idea is all right, why delay it's elimination? Let the dance
go on! |
The holdover senators who killed House Bill A found it nee
essary to explain the reason for the execution in the form OF a
resolution to the North Dakota Press Association. They may have
a lot of more explaining to do before another two years have
rolled by.
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