The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1920-10-21
STRONG PLEAFOR
BETTER POLITICS
Reckless Mud Singing is Insult to In
telIigence of North Dakota
Voters
CLEAN CAMPAIGNS IN FUTURE
Real Issues Should Not BE Hidden Be-
hind Dust Clouds

IL
this state who will cast their ballots
on the second of November, how
many can remember political cam
paign free from vituperation, name
calling and mud singing? Very few,
we venture.
Just why two factions cannot en-
gage in battle of the ballots without
personalities is hard to see. In look
ing over our exchanges the other day
we came across the following editorial
in the LaMoure Chronicle. It is 30
fair and sensible that we cannot with
stand the temptation to pass it along
for the benefit of those of our readers
who love to see fair play in all things.
Read it over and ponder it we'll:
'"This world would be q much
pleasanter place in which to live if
only men would practice the simple
art of being fair. And certainly one
has right to expect that the chief
executive of a commonwealth who
goes out on the stump to give the
people an account of his stewardship
and to discuss political issues before
them, will do so in spirit of candor
and with decent regard for the
common amenities of life.
cat the close of his address in La
Moure Monday afternoon, Governor
Frazier invited any and all who might
care to do so to ask questions.
Whereupon respected citizen of
this city submitted the following in
quiry: DO you believe, Governor,
that the bankers of North Dakota are
antagonistic to the welfare of the
farmers Of this state?' And the gov
ernor treated the question as if it
were huge joke. With poorly dis
guised sneer he replied that 80 per
cent Of the bankers of North Dakota
were opposing the Nonpartisan
league, or fighting the farmers
"That was pretty cheap politics.
For since when has it come about in
this country that a mere difference Of
opinion in politics, religion or eco
nomics argues that one side is fight
ing the other and is trying to bring
about its destruction? Suppose that
Senator Harding, republican candidate
for president Of the United States,
should go about the country whining
that everyone whose opinion differed
from his was fighting the govern
ment? How many would support q
man of that caliber?
4 "The Chronicle does not now be-
lieve and never has believed that
Governor Frazier is a big enough
man for the job he is trying to fill
strengthened since hearing his speech
in LaMoure Monday. We believe
that the governor is a man of splen-
did morals, and excellent intention,
and that within very narrow limits
he is not wanting in courage. But
he seems never to have grasped the
fact that in his official capacity he
is governor of North Dakota and not
merely servant of the Nonpartisan
league or handy man for Mr.. Town
ley and Mr.. Lemke to have around
the state house.
ut was humiliating to have the
governor of our state repeat the silly
charge that the farmers are accused
by the so-called enemies of the league
| "AeA oCuiS oOASucVlStS anu Tree
lovers. That was an appeal to the
baser passions-an incitement to
hatred and strife, of which heaven
knows we have more than enough in
this state! The governor certainly
knows that no person whose opinion
is of the slightest consequence to
anybody has ever accused the farm
ers of being Bolshevigts or free lovers
or anything Of the sort. It is true
that there are a few. irresponsible
sapheads in the state who go about
making silly remarks; but the
Chronicle most earnestly protests
against the governor making-or
trying to make-political capital Of
this nonsense. The issues in North
Dakota are big enough and serious
enough to demand the best thought
of all of its people; and that means
no room is left for chicanery and
playing to the galleries"
Now compare it with statement
claimed to have been made by Mr..
Townley at Stanley: G
"And now l have something to tell
|