Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-11-11
WHERE NORTH DAKOTA STANDS

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The contest in North Dakota which eliminated
at the polls on Tuesday, was a contest for control
of the government of the state, and it was so recog-
nized by all who participated in it. That contest has
been in progress for years, and while the majorities
recorded in favor of the policies and the candidates
put forth by radical leaders have steadily declined
since the first election in which pronounced radical
ism became an issue it was not until the recall cleo
ton of 1921 that the Independents were able to re-
gain control of the major offices in the state ad-
ministration. The Independent success in that cleo
ton was followed by further success at the primary
last June, with the reiteration of that verdict by the
splendid Independent majority of over 10000 on
Tuesday.
A glance at the record of the past six years is
convincing as to the progress Of the state toward
sanity in the management of its affairs. In 1916
Frazier swas elected by a majority. of $4,000. In
1918 that majority was reduced to 10000. In 1920.
notwithstanding the general Republican. landslide
and the.fact that the enfranchisement ofwomen had
almost doubled the total vote, Frazier was reelected
by a majority of less than 5000. In the recall cleo
ton of 1921 that majority was changed to a minor
1tty OF 5000. At the primary election of 1922, Nestos,
majority of over 10000, and he has now been re-
elected by more than 10000 majority.
These results have not been due to freak or
accident. Theytare too steady, regular and consist
ent for that. They are due to a growing understand
ing ON the part of the people of North Dakota of
the danger OF entrusting their affairs to the man
agement of a group of radicals, and to a settled de-
termination that the business Of the state shall be
administered by men who are committed to a per-
(manent program of sound constructivenes and to
economy and efficiency in every step taken, as con
trasted with the visionary experimentation, the
waste and extravaganza which have characterized
league administration
North Dakota are not confined to the election Of an
Independent governor. Elected with him, and by
corresponding majorities, are the other two officials
who, with him, constitute the state industrial com
mission, having charge Of all the states industries,
the secretary of state, state treasurer, all Independ-
ents, with the possibility Of the election of other In
dependents yet to be determined.
! Not only will the independents be in undisprted
control of most of the administrative work of the
state; they will also control the legislative branch.
They will have a substantial majority in the senate.
and they will have an actual, though smaller, ma
|jority in the house. }.
The one flaw is the election of Frazier to the
senate. Without question that result will be iniuri-
Gus to the state. It will have no direct effect on the
state itself, for Mr.. Frazier,<a as United States sena-
tor, will have nothing to say about, the management
OF the business Of North Dakota. But it will be
difficult for many people outside the state to under
stand that the election to the United States senate
OF a radical who was recalled from his position as
a year ago does not mean a reversion: Of
the state to radicalism. The only way in which that
situation can be dealt with effectively is for the IN
dependents who are now in undisputed control Of
the government OF the state itself to give such 4
demonstration of wisdom, diligence and moderation
n the performance of their duties that North Da-
lkota will stand forth conspicuous among the well
governed states of the Union.
The friends Of sound government throughout
this nation will need, during the coming two years.
az me support they can get. WhilA North Dakota
has shown gratifying signs Of recovery from tie
passed over it, her neiUhhora M;rr.l