The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-12-12

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with the June primaries only 81!
months distant, political gossip IL
North Dakota is over-shadewed by {
bigger issue. 1t is doubtful whethe
any one thing could better indicate
how entirely North Dakota is absorbed
in the war, for it must be confessed
that in this great Flickertail state poll
tics has found the meat and daily
bread of SO per cent of the males and
not small proportion of the female
population in years past.
For anything really apt on the polit
ical future of North Dakota one must
go outside the state capital. Here even
the most inveterate political dopester
has declined to dope. There is lit.
tie idle talk at the state house as to
who will be who next June, but no
one, apparently, unless it be the of.
flee holders and the probable candi.
dates themselves, have given the mat.
ter really serious consideration.
To Elect Full Ticket.
Nineteen.eighteen will be an "Off-
year" so far as national politics are
concerned, since there will be no pres.
idential ticket There will be three
congressman to be elected, and It is
anticipated that none Of the present
representatives will decline to seek re-
election IN the First district JOHN
NJ. Baer will undoubtedly be the
league candidate, while indications are
there will be the usual large field Of
opponents, both Republican and Demo-
cratic. Baer originally was Demo.
crat, but in the special election few
months ago he sought nomination on
the Republican ticket. He probably
will do so again.
George M. Young of the Second is
said to be slated for league opposi-
ton, although in a number of ways
he has sought to curry favor with the
league. 1t is said tbat even Pat Nor
ton of the Third, Who has been very
much O farmers representative inythe
last session. will not be endorsed by
the league. ' Leslie A. Simpson Of
Dickinson Is tOuted as candidate for
the Republican nominate ton in the
Third, and it is said that the former
state senator from Stark county
stands very we'll with the league A
fight between Norton and Simpson,
with the league strength in the Slope
thrown one way or another, would
prove mighty interesting. Both are
veteran campaigners.
Bruce Will Run.
a.. But one member of the supreme
court is to be elected in 1918. Chief
Justice A. A. Bruce's term expires.
While the jurist has given no indica'
ton of his intentions, friends are in.
sisting that he be a candidate for re.
election, and they express confidence
that he can be reelected. The chief
Justices militantly patriotic stand
during the war has won him hosts of
new admirers. He has strong fol-
lowing among the university men and
members of the state bar.
William S. LANCER, the present at.
torney general, is said to c0vet place
on the supreme bench. He is also said
to have eyes on senatorial toga. He
would be barely old enough when
.Gronna's term expires four years
hence to be admitted to the United
States senate. At the present writing
he is just past the minimum age for
membership in the supreme court Of
the, state. E. B. Totten of Bowman al
ready is announcing himself as the
leagues choice. From time to time
reports crop out that William Lemke,
chairman of the Republican state cen
trail committee one Of the governing
board of the league and a man very
active in it's councils, would like to-
sit on the supreme bench or go to the
United States senate. The two Bills
are, sufficiently friendly to probably
arrange this little matter between
themselves, providing the remainder
of the league leaders are willing.
The Governorship.
There has been some talk of Lang
err being a candidate for governor.
Little credence is given these rumors,
however More probable, If possible
at all, is the candidacy of Karl Kositz-
ky, state auditor, for the gubernatOrial
CIldlT. uc SldlC duultOl las pCSA NSiy
much on the job during his first year
in office: he has managed to get full
share of favorable publicity for his
work, and even his recent tilt with
. the attorney general over the matter
of the supreme courts expense money
seems to have won him favor with
many farmers. He has batch of let.
tiers in his desk which would indicate
that this sparring match has, at least
done him no harm with the rank and
file of the league.
There has been no visible friction
between the governor and the state
auditor. The governor undoubtedly
will seek reelection, and it is to be
presumed he will have the endorse
ment of the league. Frazier has been
very loyal party man in his admins
tration. Every appointment he has