Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-28
REBUKED, BUT NOT BANIsHED

Bolshevikism has been rebuked. It ha. NOT bean
|banished. IS
In all probability Governor Frazier has been renom-
mated. II the later returns effect no changes. Mr.. Fra
zier has been nominated by a small majority. II such
changes the made by the late returns: MI. Frazier will
have been defeated by a small majority. The margin eth
er way will be small. The official sNtus Of a candidate
may depend on a mere handful of votes. II those votes
are for him he WINS II they are against him, he loses.
The moral effect Of an election cannot be gaused in that
manner.
Two years ago, when the leaders Of the Nonpartisan
league launched their movement. 1t was represented that
this movement was to sweep the state and the entire
Northwest.
,f
When Its candidates had defeated the combined opposi-
ton we were told that this was but the beginning. and
that another two years would witness a c.ean sweep. evil
dence of the growing power Of the new movement.
On Wednesday the man in whose name a phenomi-
nal victory had been won at the former primary, after
some IL months OF official life, was renominated-if he
has been nominated at abby the skin Of his teeth, and
this IN face OF the fact that in the meantime the organi-
cation which stood as sponsor for him had the advantage
Of two yeafs of thorough organization, and In spite Of the
fact that it had collected the. largest political fund ever
collected in the history Of the Northwest.
When its candidates had defeated the combined oppo.
s1tion we were told that this was but the beginning, and
."etnoos "nlcn tney nave employed, both in relation to
the management of the affairs Of the state, and in rela {,
ton to the issues which confront the nation at this time.
There is, in public. the appearance Of exultation over the
result, but we may rest assured that there is no exulta-
toni in the hearts of the men who set out to seize the gov
eminent OF the state, who did seize an important part of
1t, and who hoped to make a thorough job Of it at this
time, to roll UP great majorities for their candidate, and
thus to impress on all on the outside whom they were de-
slrous Of impressing on all on the outside that the move
ment which they have inaugurated in this state was
growing and prospecting, and in this manner laying the
quire some ingenuity for them to explain to the people Of
that they came so near being kicked out. of office and out
of power in North Dakota, where they had a clear field.
and where their greatest effort was made.
The result of the election does not affect the charac.
ter of any of the candidates in any degree. Governor
Frazier, who headed the ticket, is Just the sort Of a man
that he was before the primary. He has gained nothing
in independence or ability, in fitness in any way, by the
fact that he has received a few votes more than his on.
ponents. AS he was completely under the influence Of
Mr.. Townley in the past; so he is under that influence
now. and so he will remain in the future. until Townley
fades out of sight.
1t would have been better had the people of the state
made a more complete job Of their reputation Of the
influences on which they have passed judgment, and. in
addition to expressing their approval, had banished the
malignant influence from the state. But it is a satisfac-
ton to see the evidence which is afforded that the fever
has about run its course, and to feel that there is good
reason to hope for the patients speedy restoration to
health. -