The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1920-11-26
A LESSON IN THE 1920 ELECTION

Samuel Gompers, who probably
stands as high in the estimation Of
the people as a leader of men, as
any one person in the United States,
fell down when he tried to swing the
labor vote for Cox for president. Mr..
Gompers was honest in his views.
We do not think that he would mis-
lead any one Intentionally. He
stands at the head of the American
Federation of Labor that claim a
membership of 4,500,O00, and it is
ppresumed that they influence
throughout the United States in our
industrial population 100000
people. This was a great number
for the opposition in politics to face.
Mr.. Gompers came out openly
against the candidacy of president
elect Harding and in favor of Mr..
Cox. Mr. Gompers claimed that Mr..
Cox was the logical candidate for
the labor vote to follow and to look
to for support if elected. He claim
ed that Mr.. Harding had showed him
self opposed to the workingmen's
program in many instances and that
the Republican platform was antgon-
lstic to the PRINCIPLES he represented.
Mr.. Gompers bitterly opposed the
Republican candidate for vice-presi-
dent, on his attitude in the Boston
police strike.
With all this influence against
them Messrs Harding and Coolidge
were elected by the largest majori-
ties received by any candidates for
president for many years.
Let us go down to our state af-
fairs. The present administration
took charge of the state under the
most favorable circumstances. Gov.
Frazier was elected by majority of
nearly 10000 four years ago. He
had the hearty support of the people
OF the state from the beginning.
There was no class against class men,
toned in the campaign of 1916 in
North Dakota. The people worked
and voted together for better gov
ernment. The result of the changes
in the last four years are matter Of
record and need not be mentioned.
Let us go little farther and come
down to Pembina county politics.
We have the same conditions here.
The candidates who two and four
years ago were elected to represent
the people as whole allied themsel-
yes with a lot of unscrupulous poli
sicians, who arayed class against
class, thinking that the rank and file
Of the voters would follow them.
They were mistaken as the vote Of
November End shows.
In the nation the laborers voted
recording to their own Judgment.
and voted opposite to the way thew
were told to do by the leaders. In
the state and county the farmers
vote went against the Townlev pro-
gram. and administration. All this
goes to show that the man who prea-
ches class legislation has the wrong
idea. In many cases it borders on
treason and the average voter con-
siders it such. This is strong Ian.
Euage but it is nevertheless true
The laborer reads and SO does the
farmer. They are able to Judge for
themselves as much as the person
who makes his living by other voca-
tion. \
What became Of the vote that Mr..
Gompers instructed for Cox? What
became Of the 10000 voters who cleo
TED. MT. Frazier governor Of this
state four wears ago? What became
Of the naiorities Of our county can
didates who followed Mr.. Townley,s
dictates before election?
As we said hafora. the avera oe %.
'er will do what he thinks Is ripht
He NAV eo w'ono something's hut he
WI, correct himself ss .onn "a onpor-
f''nitv .nre.snts itseaf. R,,t the ;,e,n.. :
p"e1'a politician who foliowa v;sion..
s-v ideas to furtha- t,is avn snbit;or
v'''l snnn be rniaoat4d, The ,.,ao,.
- t'rte nth ~ the n.-i.tanna o. the ,.n,i
4 .rd H'aof t',a thipkinp neorle. elec.
!. 80 M. Har''n~ nr.sidsnt. T1be,
r'a-s synt. 81 North n.kot.. v,t,i.
re ',sst .Is - -. th'nt1nv r4o,,lA. ~
Y~-t.s tsa Towniev nrn~ran. rbic,,.'
r-',-soe,'.. y, ~ M nss;a,,
eurros~ thar to a-'..v rla.~ res;ast.