The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-10-21
Additional Editorial
THE JUDICIARY

Williston Herald: 1t has been our
privilege during the campaign so far
to listen to some of the arguments
put forth by few of the more ardent
members of the local labor unions re-
garding the candidates for the office
Of district Judge Of this district, and
upon being asked what objection thew
had to our present district Judge, Hon.
Frank E. Fisk, the answer invariably
contained these words: Eve have
absolutely nothing against Judge Fisk,
either as man or in his record as
judge. He is good man for the place
but he is not on our SIDE"
Now, that argument might work
out very well if lawsuits were always
between the merchant or banker on
the one hand and the farmer or labor
ing man on the other. But, suppos-
ing, as is often the case, a laboring
man sues farmer, for his wages;
or, to turn the proposition around,
suppose, as has happened many times
in this state, farmer is compelled
to seek redress in the courts for the
breach of labor contract on his farm.
Whose side should the Judge be ION"
in that case?
Any candidate for this high office
who processes or promises that he is
ION anybody's side" is simply doing
so for political purposes because he
wants to ride into office, and because
he knows that once he is in the office
he can not be ION anybody's side" if
he wants to hold the job. The people
will attend to that.
The office of district judge is not a
political office, and rightly so, because
it bears too close relation to the
pocket book Of every taxpayer in the
state-and.it should be kept free from
politics. Instead Of placing in this
office anybody who is a representative
of any class or faction, it is men
real clear thinking, honest, fair-mind-
ed men-regardless Of political affila-
ton, who should be put into these inn
portant places. Such man is Judge
Frank E. Fisk, as will be admitted
by every member of the league OF
labor union who gives the matter fail
and open thought.
This is not political advertising, but
the growing conviction of every think
ing man and woman in this district
OUR SCHOOLS
Perhaps the most arbitrary actor
taken under Towney's leadership has
been that about our schools: The
people of America believe in self.
government. They believe that thei1
will as expressed at the polls shoulc
be obeyed. And they most decidedly
believe in their schools.
Two years ago, while the rest Of
the League ticket was elected, Mel
Mcdonald was beaten for Superin
tendent of Public instruction by Min
ME ]. Nelson. 1t was not until thu
courts had twice decided against him
that he gave up the office to her
Then the legislature passed a Law
taking away from her office the mos
important powers it had possessed
On a referendum petition, the law wa
referred to the people: League
speakers, including Townley, statet
that the laws passed did no t TAX
away from Miss Nelson any powers
Thus misled, the people approved tn
Law, only to find that the new boar
of administration went ahead to taxi
everything out of Miss Nelson:
hands. They even employed the de
feated and discredited Mcdonald, a
the same salary received by Miss Mel
son, as clerk to do most OF tn
things superintendent had formerl!
done.
Although education has nothing tt
do with the Farmers Program, an
has never been mentioned in the pro
gram, the League leaders have ex
pended more energy and violence an
tyranny against the schools than the;
have shown in getting the program
realized.