Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-10

lfices up, must be nominated in this manner or by
individual petitions. In the lattercase, the individ-
ual running without party designation must meet
the competition, of the official party nominee and,
no matter how obscure or unfit the party nominee
may be, he will have behind him the prestige of the
party name and at least the formal influence Of the
party organization.
There was a time when the political party really
meant something in the field for which it was or
gained. Political parties, in our own country as
well as in others, have come into existence in re-
Spouse to what men conceived to be a definite ma
Etional need. There has never been complete unan-
unity of opinion among the members of a party on
all subjects, but there has been agreement on one
or more major issues. In the early years of our ma
tons existence those who emphasized the import
ance of a strong central government grouped them
selves into one party, and those who favored the
idea of a loose confederation of independent states
gravitated into one another. Some remnants Of
those old divisions still persist in an academic way
III the traditions of the two great parties, but the
actual lines of de,narcation have long since been
oblitcratcd.
Later. divisions came on slavery, on reconstruc-
ton, on currency and on tariff. While there are
still individual differences on some or all Of these
things, the subjects have disappeared as issues be.
tween the two great parties. There is today no
great national issue on which the two parties divide.
1t is true that on many roll calls most of the Repub-
leans will be recorded on one side and most of the
Democrats on the other. That is largely a matter
OF party discipline and policy rather than the result
of positive conviction on the subject at issue. I'm
OF the members of one party will by their votes de-
clare their confidence i'll the party organization, and
most Of the members of one party may be counted
on to oppose what is approved by the majority i'll
the other.
One of the largest and most influential groups
in congress today is what is known as the agricultu-
raj bloc, whose membership is drawn impartially
from both parties and which proceeds in defiance
of all party rules and regulations. There were
scmblanccs of party division on the war debt re-
funding bill, but that division was largely a matter
of party tactics and had little relation to the merits
of the measure. This is true of the arms conference
treaties and of bonus legislation. There is not a
single great principle before the country today
which, apart from considerations of party advan-
tage, is frankly and definitely advocated by one
party and as frankly and definitely opposed by the
other.
If the development of this situation causes.
many people to wonder why, even in relation to ma
tional affairs, political parties continue to exist,
what shall be said Of the practice Of projecting the
national parties into the local affairs of the states,
where the issues are not even remotely related to
national politics? In spite of reason and logic, we
have chung to this outworn practice, thereby tying
our own hands and placing Instructions before our
own feet. Clinging thus to an absurdity, we are
driven from time to time to the adoption of costly
and clumsy expedients whereby we may evade the
customs to which we have committed ourselves.
II pOlllSdl uCliOu vi TIC NONpdlClSdu league
constitute a frank reputation of the national polit-
ical party i'll state affairs. The independent pro-
gram, on a different basis, is an equally frank dis
avowal OF the same principle. Both methods are
complicated. inconvenient and uncertain.
1t is certain that, eliminating selfish and some
times corrupt bosses who seek only their own in
terest, the people of the state desire earnestly such
legislation and such administration as will promote
the common good. They differ as to the method to
be pursued, not as to the result to be attained. It is
a matter for profound regret that the honest, earnest
men and women of the state have not yet seen fit
to free themselves from bondage to a cumbrous sys-
TEN and say: 1--WE will confine North Dakota pol
itics to North Dakota issues. We will thresh out
those issues on their own merits in their campaigns.
On those issues we will meet each other squarely at
the polls, not as enemies bent on a quarrel, but as
friends whose opinions differ. We will contend
manfully for the principles in which we believe. We
will make our own decisions, and we will see to it
that those decisions are made effective so long as
they are in accord with the laws of the nation. We
will not permit Our interests as citizens of our state
to be confused with national policies or used by
politicians in the national field for the betterment
of their opportunities for holding office and distrib-
uting patronage"
Such a declaration would clarity the atmos-
phere as nothing else can do. 1t is a pity that it
cannot be made.
DOES THE SENATE SET.
The congressional directory, covering the pres
et congress, in addition to the list of members of
the two houses, committees, and so forth, gives a
lot Of useful statistical information. Among other
things it gives a list of the cases in which the SEN
ate has acted as a court of impeachment. In intro
ducing that subject the directory says: "The senate
set as a court of impeachment"
There has been a lot of argument. animated