The Bismarck tribune., 1919-04-07
THE GROUPING OF n. D. VOTERS


In relation to the economic issues which are
now before the people of North Dakota the voters
may be classified into four great general groups
their position being fixed by their attitude on
pending issues
In one class may be placed those who are thor
oughly committed to the socialistic program which
has been put forth and to the sociaistic leader
ship which has attempted to control the affairs
of the state. In the attitude of these people, more
is involved that the mere consideration of eco
nomc questions There is in addition the ques-
tcn Of political leadership and Of the right Of the
individual to form and act upon his own opinions
This independence of thought and action is denied
by the socalistic leaders to their followers. Mr..
ToWney is DICTATOR and his dctation is accepted
in full by a very considerable number Of people.
Hence when in addition to what is known as the
league program, which is entirely economic, there
was presented a program never publicly discussed
and never publicly considered, but backed by the
authority Of Mr.. ToWnley, the additions were ac
Icepted by these followers of his without question,
just as many other proposals Of his would have
been unquestiCnaby accepted. The voters in this
group are for the entire economic program pro-
posed and for all the additions which have been
presented. &.~
In another group are those adherents of the
Nonpartisan league who believe in the socializa-
ton of many of the important industries of the
state, who accepted in full the original league pro-
gram and even some of the expansions which have
bene given to it in recent months, but who insist
on their right to their own independent Judgment;
who do not recognize the authority of Mr.. ToWnley
to dictate to them; and who are opposed to some
of the legislation which he has forced upon the
state and which forms part of the original pro-
gram of the Nonpartisan league
In the third group are those not necessarily
or usually connected with the Nonpartisan league
and who recognize no authority on the part of Mr..
Towney or any other outsider, and who are reluc-
tant to- see the state plunge deeply into state
ownership of utilities until the matter has been
tested more fully in actual practice. These voters
in the main are in favor Of the establishment of
state terminal elevator or elevators, possibly of
flour mills, but at this time they would go no fur
ther in this direction. Their position is that there
is no pressing need for further entry into state
socialism and that in the operation of the utilities
which they favor knowledge can be gained which
will be usefurlater on in demonstrating the advis-
ability or unadvisabity of further progress in
this direction.
In the last group are those who are opposed to
the entire socalistic program, maintaining they
do that the business of the state can be and should
be conducted by the individuals of the state that
is not necessary for the state to 60 into CONNER
cial business; and that legally and commercially
the activities of the state should be confined to the
management Of its governmental affairs, except
where vital interests make variation from that
program necessary. Grand Forks Herald.