The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-10-21
PARTY LINES
ARE SMASHED
IN ELECTIONS
North Dakota Only One Of
Many States in which
Traces Are Kicked Over
EASTERN COMMENTS
Situation in North Dakota
And Other States Ar0uses
Great Interest

North Dakota elections no longer
occupy unique place among elec.
tions in the country. But the state
still holds the most prominent posi-
tion among the states in which
party lines have been broken in un-
precedented manner in the cam
paign. In some states the break
down is not as complete as in North
Dakota, but there are several which
present and anomalous situation to
the politicians and political obser-
vers of the east. s
The alignment on the senatorial
race in North Dakota has attracted
wide attention, though perhaps it
has not been commented on as much
as it would were other states not
in the same boat. The declaration
of many North Dakotans that party
lines must not count in the fall
election once would have been re-
garded as rank heresy in the east
ern press, but not so this fall.
In Minnesota the Democratic can
didate for senator, Mrs. Annie Oh
son, declared in favor of the Re-
publican candidate for Senator in
North Dakota. Governor J. A. O.
Preus, candidate for reelection in
Minnesota as the Republican candi-
date, open his guns on Congress
man Keller Of S. Paul, Republican
nominee and declared to be Non
partisan adherent. Governor Preus
declared he unqualifiedly endorsed
the candidacy of J. F. T. O'Connor
in North Dakota.
Forgotten Elsewhere
Party lines are being lost sight
of to a great degree in Wisconsin,
where both Republicans and Demo-
Gratis opposed to Senator LaFollette
have Joined to support the Demo-
cratic candidate for Senator. The
same is ture in Montana, where the
Nonpartisan league captured the
Democratic organization. Democrats
cratic organization. Democra turn
turned to support of Joseph M. Dixon
Republican and former Senator, and
elected him Governor two years
ago. Party lines are lost sight Of
in Montana in the fight this fall.
Che same situation liz < found. in
Aowa, although the Nonpartisan
league as such is not factor:
Smith W. Brookhart, the Republican
candidate for United States Senator,
is being opposed by many leading
Republicans of the state on the
ground that he is socialistic in his
views. A Republican convention
was held in Des Moines at which
opposition to him was expressed.
More than unusual interest attach
ed to the statement of DR.. Harding,
lifelong Republican and father Of
President Harding, that Brookhart
ought to be defeated. It was made
while DR.. Harding was attending q
G. A. R. convention there.
Political observers writing OF the
situation in the country are point
ing out that party lines also are be-
ing broken in Oklahoma, and to
lesser degree in a number of other
states. E.E. ....
The eastern press has been slow
to regard the movement as of any
more than local significance, but
since within the last two or three
weeks political writer's Of national
reputation have been travelling over
the country and showing the real
situation there has been much edi-
torial comment in the east, and not
a few leading men have declared
the situation this fall means the
beginning of the end of the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties.
What of Future?
The over-stepping of party lines
is in the main, according to reports
from various states, because of q
sharp division between radicalism
and anti-radicals, and the North
Dakota fight has its counterparts
in a number of states. Other ques-
tions have entered in In Califor-
mia the prohibition supporters are
attacking the Republican candidate
for Governor, while in New Jersey
they arc opposing Governor Ed
wards, an a vowed "wet", for senat-
or. There is no issue between the
"wets" and the "drys" in North Da-
kota, but the supporters of light
wines and beer are taking definate
stands on 36 candidates for the
national congress, without regard
to party lines. The national anti
saloon league also has called upon
members to disregard party lines.