Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-21
FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 81. 1913.
IN THE SEVEN TIL DISTRICT

The people Of the Seventh legislative district are
entitled to representation in the state house Of repre-
sentatives. At present they are not represented there.
Two years ago Mr.. Lageson was elected to represent
them. He appeared in the campaign as the Nonpartisan
league candidate, but he was supported by a large num-
Der of voters not affiliated with the league because those
voters believed him to be a man of some independence,
and expected that he would use his own judgment in ar
irving at conclusions with reference to his action on bills
pending in the house Of which he was a member. The
people had q right to expect that Of any man whom they
sent to the Legislature, and many Of them expected it
of Mr.. Laseson. They have been disappointed.
Before MI. Lageson took his place as a member Of
the house he had become a member Of the secret caucus
which undertook the shaping Of all the legislation Of
the session. and which did actually dominate and con-
troll the acts Of all its members. 1t received its direc-
tons from Mr.. Townley in person or from some one Of
his trusted lieutenants who was always on the job. In
dependent thinking became a thing Of the past, Orders
were issued that this bill should be passed and that one
killed. And, by the faithful members Of the caucus,
those orders were obeyed to the letter. Mr.. Lageson
was among the faithful. He was one of the most faith
ful OF the lot. And. instead of experiencing a feeling Of
shame Tor the manner in which he had permitted HIM
self to be used as a mere pawn in a game that was
being played by somebody else. he has appeared to glory
in his subservience and. figuratively, on many occasions
he has kissed the shackles that bind him.
@ HI II seventh 0lStf1ct are approximately half the
people of the city Of Grand Forks and perhaps one-third
OF the agricultural population of the county. The
lands in that district have been settled as long as almost
any others in the state. The farms are as fertile, as pro-
ductive, and as well titled as any in the state, and the
people on the farms and in the cities alike are as intel
ligent, as progressive, and as prosperous as are. to be
found anywhere. It is not in keeping with their char
acter or their interests to be without representation in
either of the branches Of the legislature. nor is it con-
sistent with the kind Of people that they are to send to
Bismarck. instead OF a real representative, merely a
messenger bearing their proxies to be turned over to
Mr.. Townley or to any person acting for him..
It Is because Of the recognition of this need for
representation that voters Of the district persuaded o.
B. Burtness to be d candidate at the primary for the
nomination for the state house Of representatives. Mr..
eurtness was urged to this course because he was
known as an honest and intelligent man Of independent
judgment who would not permit any other man to do
his thinking for him. It is men Of his type who are
needed in the legislature. and his election will insure to
the district the representation to which 1t is entitled. and
Of which It has been deprived. ~