Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-22
POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS

According to the unual understanding the official
ballot used at elections II intended to contain the names
of the candidates., with that of the party to which they
belong. all conveniently arranged so that the voter, hav-
ing previously decided as to what he wishes to do. may
mark his ballot quickly in accordance with that decision.
The ballot has not been used as a political pamphlet or
a medium for the spreading Of political doctrine Of any
sort.
The people who are running the Nonpartisan league
have changed all that. A new use has been found for the
ballot. On the official sample ballots just received in
Grand Forks there appears, after the name John M.
Baer. Non-Partisan," the words. Endorsed by the Nom
Partisan League" Whether or not Mr.. Baer has actu-
ally been endorsed by the Nonpartisan league, and how.
II so, that endorsement was obtained, are matters not at
present to the purpose. But it would be interesting to
know under what rule Of law the secretary of state pre-
stunned to place q statement of that kind on the ballot.
How does MI. Hall know that Mr.. Baer was endorsed by
the league? He knows that Mr.. Baer and other men
are candidates. because petitions. properly signed and
verified. have been filed according to Law. and these are
matters Of public record. But what record is there In
MI. Halls office Of the endorsement named? BY whom
is the certificate to that effect signed, and II there is one,
what evidence is there that the person or persons signing
had authority for that purpose from any properly con-
sttuted body qualified to act on behalf Of the league?
Or did the secretary merely hear Of such an endorsement
on the street, or read about it in the newspapers?
Assuming that there was such an endorsement, and
that Mr.. Hail was duly notified Of the fact, what business
was It Of his. anyway? What right had he to cumber the
ballot with extraneous matter7 II one candidate has the
right to have his endorsements printed on the ballot, all
other candidates have an equal right. Hence it would be
proper for the ballot to contain the Information that Mr..
Burtness has the endorsement Of the Republican district
convention. and Mr.. Bangs that Of the Democratic COM
mittee. together with such other endorsements as those
gentlemen should choose to list. II the record Of one en-
dorsement is permissible. that of a dozen or . score is
equally SO. There is no limit. The ballot might just as
we'll contain the complete personal history and pedigree
Of the candidate, his age and nativity, his religious be-
liefs, If any, and a list Of the various political. social ana
fraternal bodies which have endorsed his candidacy. All
this would be perfectly legitimate If the act Of the Sec
rotary Of state in attaching the endorsement to the Baer
nomination is legitimate. The fact is that the whole
proceeding Is unauthorized and illegal, and II any one
considered 1t worth the trouble there is every reason to
believe that the secretary Of state could be compelled to
recall all the ballots printed and print new ones contain
ing only the name Of the candidate and the name OF the
party or principle which he represents.
party Of principle which he represents.