Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-21
CONCENTRATE ON STATE TICKET.

he action OF the Republican convention at
Jamestown IN passing the office of United States
senator without endorsement of any candidate is
doubtless the wisest that could have been taken I'M
ger the circumstances. Endorsement of Senator
McCumber was out of the question. Endorsement
OF some other candidate who could be said properly
10 represent the Republicanism of the state would
nave been satisfactory to many who prefer to 90
right down the line on a straight issue rather than
to compromise, but it would have entailed risks
which the representatives in session at Jamestown
would not have been warranted in imposing on the
state. The important thing for the people of North
1Dakota Just now is to keep their state 'administra-
ton IN the control of men who will continue 1.-THE
work 'naugurated after the recall of last fall.
1t is difficult to conceive a greater disaster to
the state than the restoration to power of the ele-
!nent under whlcirthe state has been so ,discredited
IN recent years. When. the result of the,recall cleo
ton became known there was at once a revival of
courage and confidence. The men elected had made
promises the carrying out of which meant the aban-
Comment OF past vicious practices and the substi-
tuition of sane and orderly methods of nrooress
These men were at least to be given an opportunity
to make good. They have made good in a most con-
splcuous and practical way. But the rehabilitation
OF a state, after such an experience as ours, is not
a matter OF weeks. The Strengthening out of a small
.Pr1Vate business after a brief period of misnlanaee-
ment is a work of extraordinary complexity. In the
of North Dakota's system millions mon
millions had been involved. and the vicious strands
ran through the entire fabric and into the most or
scure corners. The work of investigation alone was
a long and complicated one, and the work of res
%toration is only we'll begun.
:, If the people this fall declare by their votes that
they approve OF the reform work already accom-
plished and arc determined that it shall continue
that tact will be accepted everywhere as evidence
t1at North Dakota is really and permanently on the
way toward Improvement. If there should be = re-
version to the former political control, neither good
crops, good prices nor improved business conditionS
throughout the country could save the state from
the deplorable consequences of such a decision.
1T is for this reason that the chief interest of our
people just now lies i'll the reelection of Governor
Nestos and the election with him of state officials
who stand for the principles for which he has de-
elared himself and upon which his acts have been
passed. The United States senatorship is a highly
important office: 1t is to be regretted that a clear
and unmistakable declaration on that subject could
not have been made by a representative body of Re-
PuDl1cans. But. important as that office is. It would
have been a mistake to precipitate a contest over
that office which, at best, would have been doubt
ful, II by 50 doing doubt had been cast on the sue
cess OF the independent state ticket which is the kew
to the entire situation.