The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-11-05
THE FARMER IN POLITICS,

Regardless OF the outcome Of to-
days election, the campaign that has
been conducted in North Dakota
during the past six weeks by g. J
Doyle, Democratic candidate for gov,
ernor. and by the Joint Campaign
committee In behalf of his candidacy
will have lasting benefits.
For the first time since the Social.
list movement was placed under way
three years ago, a candidate for Of.
fee has gone before the people or
issues. Mr.. Doyle's explanation OF
the Socialist program has been
thorough, and unquestionably he has
been successful in awakening in the
people a desire for knowledge, a ten
dency to study and think, and In
doing this he has served the state al
most as well as though he were
elected governor.
Mr.. Doyle may be defeated today
There is little in the situation that
gives basis for hope that he may sue
coed. In the primary election Mr..
Frazier. the Republican nominee, was
accorded a vote of approximately
$4,000. while the combined vote of
Mr.. Doyle and Mr. Steen was ap-
prorlnately 10000 short of that fig-
ure. There is no reason to believe
that Mr.. Frazier will poll any fewer
than $4,000 votes today, giving him
a, safe margin over any possible vots
that Mr.. Doyle can hope to poll.
Mr.. Dsyle's campaign has been con-
ceived in the notion that the people
of this state are keenly interested in
good government and honest admin
istration of their affairs. and that
their minds are not closed to con-
structive argument. Compared with
the campaign of 1915, and the pri-
mary campaign of this year, when
personalities had full sway, the real
issues getting but slight attention at
the hands Of either faction, the cam
paign Just closed stands out in bold
relief. True, the Socialists attempted
at every stage to avoid the issues,
dealing with them in tho last few
hours, and then only in a superficial
manner.
Out Of the Nonpartisan league
movement there is certain to be at
tanned better conditions for the people
Of the state, not for the farmers alone
but for all the people, despite the
cIasa Of it's leadership. Agitators who
seized upon the discomfort in North
Dakota. nearly four years ago have
served their purposes. There Is every
reason to believe that the members
of the Nonpartisan league will event.
uaily take over the administration
Of their own political affairs. elinin-
ating the LIE sueurs. the TownleyS
and the Bowens, and thus place them
selves in position to cooperate to
better advantage with each other. as
wall as to cooperate with all other
sections of the states citizenship.
When that condition is achieved
there is no doubt but what all ele-
ments win get fair play, and that
benefits will accrue to a greater num-
Der of people than is possible with
the continuance of the present league
control, and the continued exercise by
them Of the influence they WELD over
certain state officials. The interests
will be given greater consideration
by other sections, and there unques-
tionabiy will be a greater and finer
spirit Of cooperation than has ever
before been witnessed in this state.
These things, Of course, will require
time, bat the way is open. The farm
ers Of North Dakota are through
with the leadership that has brought
them together. The farmers have felt
the thrill Of power obtained through
organization, and they are not ready
TO surrender that power. The leaders
among their own number will most
certainly get together and work out
plan OF continuing their organfza-
ton along lines that will be for the
greatest good of the greatest number,
and their new plans will not counten-
ance the active participation of car
petbaggers whose whole interest lies,
not with the farmer. but in their own
financial and political welfare.
When that condition comes the
farmer will find the business in
teresta Of the state-the small town
and city residents-ready and anxious
to cooperate, and to study and un-
derstand his problems, that they may
be worked out to the best possible
advantage.