The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-05-18
P,,D. NORTON
SAYS HE WILL 4
TRY FOR SENATE
Former Congressman to An
nounce His Candidacy
Soon
GRONNA is In THE RING
Frank White Of Valley City is
Out With Formal An. .
nOuncement
GRONNA is IN THE RING

Out With Formal An.
nouncement
There probably will not be any
dearth of candidates for the United
States senate. F. D. Norton, of Man.
dan, former congressman in the Third
District, announced in Fargo today
that he would be a candidate for the
United States senate. He was an
earnest worker at the Anti-Townley
Republican convention at Minot and
addressed the delegates. 1t was
known then that he was a receptive
candidate. ..
The Tribune received the following
dispatch from Fargo today:
Former Congressman P. D. Norton
of Mandan who is in the city today
stated to a representative of The Tri-
bune that after consulting with num-
ber Of his friends throughout the state,
he has decided to become a candidate
at the primaries on June 80 for the
Republican nomination for United
States Senator.
"The former congressman believes
that very substantial majority of
the independent, thoughtful and intel
ligent Republican electors of the state
really desire to have in the United
States senate from North Dakota dur
ing the next six years, man who IS
entirely free from binding obligations
to any political boss and who has
both the experience and courage nee
essary to support and carry out honest
economic and political determinations
in the interest of all the people.
'aMr. Norton will make formal an
nouncement Of his candidacy and his
platform this week"
Mr.. Norton served several terms in
Congress and was defeated by very
close margin at the last election when
the league endorsed Sinclair. Pre-;
viously to that he served the state as
secretary of state and was succeeded
in that Office by Thomas Hall.
Frank White of Valley City today
/ issued a formal announcement for
! United States Senator. In paid adj
! vertisement wired tt the Tribune, he
:, says:
al hereby announce myself as a
candidate for United States senator
on the Republican ticket subject to the
vote of the people at the June pri-
maries. My position on state and ma
tional questions will be set forth in
the press and in public addresses.
Senator Gronna is about to make his
formal announcement. He has wired
that he endorses the MinOt platform
and his friends expect him to take the
field against Townleyism in the June
primaries. The following telegram re-
ceived locally today sets forth his po'
sition:
! "Since the month of November last,
, have repeatedly told intimate friends
that my personal desire was to retire
from public life, at least temporarily.
I have so far refrained from doing
any political work in the interest of
my candidacy for reelection. I have
not sent one single note to any one
asking support at either of the con-
ventions held in the state and have
heretofore assumed no responsibility
for platforms adopted.
1T seems that a few friends aCtuated
by the best of motives proposed my
name in the Fargo convention. PEI
sonally was not responsible for this
action and L could not and would not
follow the leadership of Townley or
Lemke. After advice with friends, |
feel it my duty to do my bit to help
restore a just and safe government for
North Dakota and also help in the re-
contraction work of our National
Government.
"My associates in Congress regard
less of party request me to do so. |
therefore announce my candidacy for
reelection. l have studied the plat:
form of the Republican party adopted
at the Minot convention and l approve
of it in toto. Having conferred with
the Republican leaders, | have no hes.
itancy in saying that l believe the
National platform will be acceptable to
every Republican. I therefore again
ask the support of the people OF my
state in the primaries and general
election and I pledge myself to work
for their best interests
It is not known yet whether the
Anti-Townley Republican state central
committee which meets soon. will for
mally endorse any candidates for
United States senate.