Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-07
COMPARATIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Olger B. Burtness was born on a North Dakota farm.
No credit is due him for that. One must be born some
where, and he does not select his own birthplace. But it
happens that Mr.. Burtness was born on a farm, and all
his boyhood was spcnt there. AS other boys do, he en-
gagged In the work of the farm, and he knows what that
work is from practical experience. He comes of a family
of successful farmers who, without. receiving special IA
vors from anyone, have built themselves good homes and
prospered. Mr.. Burtness spent his entire boyhood, youth
and early manhood in an atmosphere Of successful farm
ing on the prairies Of North Dakota. Entering profess
sional life, as he did, he still retained his interest in farm
ing, and out Of his earnings he has made investments in
Red River Valley lands to the cultivation of which he de-
votes both time and attention.
All this might be said Of thousands Of other young
men in North Dakota, and yet it would constitute no ar
a public office. But, with this equipment, this basis Of
fitness in one particular direction, Mr.. Burtness has
demonstrated abundantly his fitness in other ways. He
is a student and a man of affairs. He has familiarized
himself with public matters. AS issues have been pre-
scented he has invariably shown ability to make intelligent
decisions, and he has acted vigorously in favor Of wise
legislation and clean and capable government. With his
fitness in these directions his familiarity with the busi-
ness Of farming becomes a valuable asset, because it en-
ables him the better to understand the needs Of the peo-
pie who constitute by far the larger share Of our popua-
ton. And the continuance Of his active personal interest
In this work Is evidence OF the fact that the personal trea-.
sons that cause other men to seek the welfare Of the
farmer are reasons which apply equally in his case. Mr..
Burtness has the same reasons that any active farmer in
the state has for desiring the success OF the agricultural
industry. satisfactory prices for farm products, just prices
for the commodities which ethe farmer must buy, the
proper regulation Of railroad rates and service, and ev-
erything which can tend to make North Dakota a good
state for the farmer to live in.
The members of the Nonpartisan league have been
told that because they are farmers they must band to-
gether as farmers to capture the government. They have
been told that only farmers are to be trusted with politf-
cal power. They have been urged to select only farmers
for all public offices. It was not necessary that Mr..
|Burtness should have been chosen rs the league candi-
date. In feet, under their rigid specifications which have
been given to the league members time and again Mr..
Esurtness could not qualify. fol-, Notwithstanding his early
farm life and his thorough familiarity with ana continu-
ed personal interest in the business Of farming. he ID a
and modest statement, there are In the First cong1ession-
Ial district anywhere from @ score to some hundreds or
actual farmers. long residents Of the district, men living
on their own farms and making their living there who are
capable of giving the district good service in congress
and sufficientiy well known 20 warrant placing them be-
Tore the people 81 candidates for such an office.
DID Boss Towniey select any one Of tnese7 He did