Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-05-01
PLENT

Candidates for the Republican nomination for
United States senator are becoming numerous. The
latest IS Or,nsby McHarg, of jamestown, petitions
for whose nomination are now being circulated In
the field thus far there are the present incumbent,
Senator McCunber, who seeks reelection, and
whose candidacy has been vigorously opposed be-
cause of dissatisfaction with his record on matters
pertaining to the public affairs Of his state; Lynn ].
Frazier, former governor Of the state, whose sup
porters hope to see him nominated by a solid Non
partisan vote against a divided opposition; former
Senator Gronna, who in the past has shown decided
ability as a vote getter, but whose health is now in
such condition as to render the character of his
present campaign uncertain: P. ID. Norton, former
congressman from the Third district, who expresses
perfect confidence i'll his nomination in June and
in his election in November. and Mr.. McTtarg,
whose candidacy is just announced.
In connection with this candidacy no official
word has come from Mr.. McHarg himself, 5ut the
petitions f-r his nomination have been started by
men who gre his intimate friends, and it is assumed
that they would not have taken this action unless
they were assured that Mr.. McHarg was willing to
make the race.
AS compared with the recall election the in
dependents are at a disadvantage in that whereas
there were no party issues to complicate that con-
test, and Democrats and Republicans could and did
vote together for or against any of the candidates
who were before them, the present contest is solely
Tor the Republican nomination, and only those can
participate who are registered as Republicans. In
the league camp party considerations do not count.
Members of the league vote freely in either party
where they believe thesvotes will do the most good.
I'm this campaign leaguers who are also Democrats
under ordinary conditions will be found voting the
Republican ticket. 1t is a certainty that if the
league vote can be held together and the indepen-
dent Republican vote is divided on about an equal
basis among three or more other candidates, Fraz-
ier's nomination is assured.
The league vote cannot all be held, however.
How much of it can be held nobody knows. But it
is certain that ali Of it will not go to Frazier. Before
the league convention, and in that gathering, it was
evident that Mr.. Gronna had a strong line of sup
port among the league element. There was a very
%lnsistent demand for his endorsement bv the league
convention. and not a few of the members of the
organization are dissatisfied with the results, and are
prepared to vote for Gronna. Other leaguers, in
an entirely different group, and less numerous, and
quietly working for McCumber. !.
If the Republican vote which is opposed to both
McCumber, Frazier and Gronna could be concen-
trated on one man, that man would have an excel
lent chance in June. What will be the result of
the division Of that vote among several candidates
is something which cannot safely be predicted at
this time. lr,the meantime, let it be remembered
that the interest Of the state, its chief interest at
this time, lies in the retention in charge of he affairs
Of he stateof the present honest and efficient state
administration. In this Republicans and Demo
Gratis alike are interested.