The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-27
Battle Very Close,

The battle for the Republican
nomination for governor developed
today into one of the closest pri-
mary election contests the state has
seen, At o'clock this afternoon
with returns In from a little better
than oue-half the state, John Steen
held a lead OF approximately 1000
votes. The indications are that when
the final returns are received the
winner will have q majority of less
than 5000.
Steen developed unexpected
strength in the rural districts of tine
eastern half OF the state where the
league majortties Of last election
were materially reduced.
In the German communities Of the
southwestern and central west part,
Frazier has q big lead.
Mcintosh, which two years ago
was eight to one against the league,
now Is going two to one for the
league candidates; in Logan coun-
existed: and in McHenry and Wells
years ago, Frazier maintains the
strength then developed and in
creaSes it in some instances.
Towns For Steen.
North Dakota cities and towns
went over the top for the loyalty
ticket almost without exception. In
Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake,
Minot, Bismarck, the vote was about
four to ono against the Townley
ticket. Wahpeton, with a vote Of IL
to one against the league, is the
stellar city, but 1t remains for
Mapleton village in Cass county, the
first town to make report Of it's vote,
to establish the record. Mapleton
went for Steen just 100 per cent, 40
to o.
It is in marked contrast with
Yucca township in Oliver county,
where the German population is
heavy and where Steen got one vote
and Frazier received so. In the
rural districts Of the eastern half Of
the state John Steen has received a.
splendid vote. He has broken into
the Old league strongholds, Sargent,
Barnes, Traill Steele, Benson, and
came out Of them about on a fifty
fifty basis. In McHenry county,
strong for the league two years ago.
he was unable to make any gain
over the leagues strength, as that
county has a heavy German popula-
ton. a.
Benson county, long looked upon
as one of the bulwarks Of the league,
is going about even. Divide, anoth-
or hot-bed, has returned a narrow
margin for Frazier according to the
last available report,
The German Strength.
Nothing in the whole state is so
49,. Ia. nkF J,
among the Germans as the returns
from Addison township, Cass ooun-
ty, Addison is almost to q family
German. Addison was 81 to for
the ToWnIey candidate for governor.
Two years ago Mr.. Frazier left that
township without a single vote.
Burdicl1 polled and Frame polled
%. This time John Steen, loyalty
candidate for governor, went out of
that township with the vote Of but
five men, 28 less than were cast for
Burdiclx and Frame two years ago,
while the Townley candidate went
out of there with 81 votes.
Mcintosh county, which two years
ago gave Mr.. Frazier only 113 votes,
while 1t poIled sos for the opposition
candidate for governor, is coming out
today on a, two to one basis for Eraz-
fer. Four out OF IL precincts report
ing up to / o'clock today gave Frazier
272 and Steen 11S. Al conservative
estimate of Mcintosh county indicat-
ed that the county would stand all
most three to one for the candidate,
who two years ago was not able 20
muster more than one vote out OF
each nine cast in the county.
State Ticket in Doubt
Very few returns are available ag
yet for the rest OF the state ticket.
The indications, are however, that the
state Nonpartisan ticket has run
about the same as Governor Frazier,
with the possible exception Of Mac
donald. who apparently IS being led
By Miss Nelson, OF Valley City
Nothing definite viii be available on
the state ticket until tomorrow as the
election officials and the county au-
ditors VINO have been handling the
turns have SO Ear given almost prac~
ficaiIy their whole attention to the
g0vegnorahip and the conETesetoHal
contests
a Bismarck report indicated thai