The Bottineau courant., 1918-06-20
ONE GOOD TERM DESERVES ANOTHER.


gratulate themselves that the present state ad-
ministration was in power when the war broke
out. The people of the nation also may con-
gratulate themselves for the same reason.
For North Dakota has made splendid war
record and the state administration deserves
credit for the fact that the first year of the war
in this state has not been marked by the vio-
lence, the hysteria, the suspicion and the whole
sale charges of disloyalty that have sown the
seed of distrust and created resentment in
neighboring commonwealth.
In Minnesota, for instance, the state admin
istration has prostituted it's powers for politi-
cal purposes. Instead of single mindedly aid
ing the war, the administration has sought to
perpetuate itself in power by autocratic meth
DDS. Farmers organizations have been prose
cuted, mob violence has been encouraged If not
actually melted by the very officers sworn to
preserve the peace, the newspapers big and lit
tie TEEN with sweeping charges of disloyalty,
and an atmosphere of terrorism and insecurity
prevails throughout the whole state.
The Minnesota Public Safety commission has
not proceeded against the profteers and it can
hardly point to single constructive act that
really aided the producers in their efforts to
win the war.
Despite this pernicious political activity, the
farmers and workers have done thir part, but
they have done it under great difficulty and
these abuses have diverted them from what
should be our supreme task of supporting the
government.
Conditions have been vastly different in
North Dakota. Here every man has felt safe,
there has been no violence except in few iso-
lated instances, and the state administration
has frowned upon the charges of disloyalty
which have created distrust even between
neighbors in Minnesota. Here all efforts were
centered on the winning of the war.
. Moreover, the state administration has CIV
en- the people concrete aid. 1t has helped them
in this task by constructive legislation instead
of playing politics.
North Dakota was the first state in the
This law protects the wives and dependents of
soldiers from the exactions of stay-at-
home Shylocks and also prevents the soldier
from losing his partly paid for property on ac-
count of mortgages or lapsed installment pay
ments. It is only just that the defenders of
their country should have such protection and
that their dependents should not suffer in their
Absence but few other states have passed such
legislation.
North Dakota was the first state in the
Union to pass county seed bond act. The
legislature was called in special session for the
patriotic purpose of financing needy farmers so
they could put in larger crops. AS a result
North Dakota, despite the unfortunte financial
situation of many of the farmers and short
age of labor, has put in the largest crop of it's
history.
The conscription of acreage order of the State
Council of Defense in another meritorious
measure that is greatly increasing the product
ivity of the state and helping win the war.
These three examples all exemplify construct
i've patriotism. Aided by definite steps of this
sort, the people of North Dakota have made
war record that will be source of lasting pride
to the state. This record is too long to detail,
but it is enough to say that in the second Lib
erty loan North Dakota had larger per capita
subscription than any other state and that in
the third Liberty loan it was the first state to
complete it's quota.
The state administration has made good in
it's first great duty-that Of aiding the people
win the war and solidifying patriotic public
opinion. It is record which shines the more
by comparison with the records of adjoining
cOmm0nwealths.
For this reason, if for no other, the people
should re-elect it's state officials by overwhelm-
ing majorities.
One good term deserves another.
UNDISTURBED UNFAIR PRACTICES.
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