Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-17
A POOR CAMPAIGN BASIS.

Senator McCumber is a capable man. In the
years which he has spent in the senate he has &C
formulated a varied and valuable fund Of informa-
ton and experience. He has had the means and
the opportunity to acquit himself in a manner bene-
fetal to his state and nation and honorable to him
self, Instead of taking advantage OF, his opportuni-
ties he has chosen to play the partrof the political
opportunist, and today he is reaping the reward
which, sooner or later, comes to those who follow
that course.
The campaign for a McCunber endorsement at
this time is based on two main considerations, first,
that Mr.. McCurnber, having grayitated into an inn
|portant position in the senate, should be kept there
in order that the state may not have to start all
over again and spend years in again attaining it's
present enviable position; second, that it may be
necessary to choose between McCumber> and Fra
zier, and that McCumber should be chosen a." the
lesser of two evils.
This is a rather shaky basis for a political cam
paign, but it is practically the only basis on which
an appeal for McCumber support is made. Even
those who are operating as scouts and heelers for
him have not the hardihood to stand forth and say
that Mr.. McCumber's record entities him to con
6dence and support.
1t is admitted that Mr.. McCumber has reached
committee positions which are not readily to be
attained. But as the power and prestige of these
positions is welded to the detrinent of the public
rather than for the public good, the sooner he is
|%deprived of them, the better. That his influence
has been used to aid in the working out of the
plans of the managers of the Sonpartisan league
is a matter of common knowledge, nevertheless, he
now appeals for SUPPORT to those who have tried
to rid the state of the INCUBUS which these plans
have fixed upon it.
Its not necessary for the voters of North Da-
kota to choose between McCumber and Frazier or
between McCumber and anyone else unless Nc
Cumber himself makes it necessary. He has that
situation in his own hands, because he is master of
his own candidacy. Mr.. McCumber can place the
defeat of Frazier by the simple process of with
drawing his own candidacy and supporting the in
dependent candidate who may be named at James
town. 4 D.
Mr.. McCumber's present position is not a dig
nihed one. He has firted and consorted with So
cialists and radicals for a little temporary advantage
until he has lost the confidence of those who would
ordinarily have been his staunch supporters. These
latter he has Aouted and opposed. In the mean
time, the radical movement which he hoped to use
has got beyond his control and now menaces him
sell. Now he returns with. explanations and apol-
ogies, to beg reinstatement at the hands of the indie
pendents, He invites them into conference. Doubt
less he will be liberal with pledges of future good
behavior. The prodigal finds the husks unsatisfying,
and he begs for access to the fatted calf before the
veal is otherwise disposed Of.
: Senator McCumber's surest road to ~reinstate-
mcnt in the confidence which he has forfeited is
to withdraw fromsthis campaign and assisting in the
election to the senate of a successor who will really
represent the people of North Dakota.